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BUSINESS PLAN <br /> 1. PROPOSAL(Detailed plan can be attached to application): <br /> The board members of Ho'omalu Ka'u and its Kahua Olohu Committee are pleased to submit this PONC <br /> Stewardship Grant Request application for the stewardship of the Kahua Olohu,a historically famous wahi <br /> pana of Ka'u formerly used as a traditional gaming field for Hawaiian sports,training grounds for lua and a <br /> site for religious and cultural ceremonies associated with Makuhiki. Although the Kahua Olohu extends into <br /> the adjacent State owned property, most of the bowling field racetrack can still be found on this 13-acre <br /> County owned parcel. Our board consists of six members with Ka'u connections, each with various <br /> leadership, educational and managerial backgrounds in businesses and local community organizations. <br /> Board members of Ho'omalu Ka'u include family members of the Keanu `Ohana who are direct lineal <br /> descendants of the area. In 2014 and 2015, members strongly advocated for the purchase of the property <br /> under the County PONC program. Acquisition of the property in 2016 fulfilled the purpose of preserving <br /> historic and culturally important sites that promote preservation and perpetuation of our native Hawaiian <br /> culture,tradition and customary practices. In order to build capacity,the board of Ho'omalu Ka'u formed a <br /> committee specifically dedicated to the stewardship of the Kahua Olohn and the organization of future <br /> community programs on the property. The Kahua Olohu committee consists of five lineal descendants of <br /> Ka'u who are actively involved in public education,natural resource management, and cultural stewardship <br /> projects. The committee has drafted its own vision and mission statement for the project: <br /> Kabua Olohu Committee Vision <br /> The Kahua Olohu shall be a carefully managed and respected cultural resource which will honor our <br /> ancestors and promote peace,unity,health and connection to the land through malama`aina,cultural <br /> learning,and restoration of traditional practices and competitive sport. <br /> Kahua.Olohu Committee Mission <br /> The committee's mission is to support and guide a community-managed wahi pana of Ka'u based on the <br /> cultural,spiritual and educational praclicc.s arrcl prolocols of our ancestors. <br /> The Kahua Olohu is part of Kaunamano,a significant ahupua'a in Ka'u history,the translation which means <br /> "where thousands are settled". The name"Kaunamano"speaks of the many Hawaiians who once lived on <br /> the land. The fertile hillsides and the abundance of fish and other marine resources along its 4 mile long <br /> coastline supported a thriving community. At the shoreline are the remains of two large villages,Pauku and <br /> Pa'ula. On the hillside above the Kahua Olohu was a grove of yellow blossomed kou trees where the Ali'i of <br /> Ka'u once held court. <br /> The Kahua Olohu vas an integral part of Hawaiian society because of its function during the Makahiki,a <br /> four month lunar holiday in honor of the god,Lono which commenced in the month of Ikuwa,at the end of <br /> October. War during those four months was forbidden as this was a time to reflect upon one's relationships <br /> with the kupuna w=hile conditioning one's mind to be at peace. This was a time to be thankful for everything <br /> around you and a time of feasts and festivity including games of all sorts,particularly boxing. The Makahiki <br /> rituals were the most elaborate and complex in the Hawaiian religion. For farmers,this was a time to pray <br /> for rains to guarantee abundance of food and for the chiefs,this was a time to collect goods from the people. <br /> The Makahiki games brought together people from all over the island and beyond. At the Kabua Olohu, <br /> skilled competitors displayed strength,courage,and wisdom and their successes brought honor to their <br /> families and chiefs. In addition to accommodating ceremonies involved with the Makahiki,this specific <br /> l <br />