ORD 2024-023 2022-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Jrtv'uc N?!r \16r1�, COUNTY OF HAWAII `'';, '� + STATE OF HAWAII art oF•N':P BILL NO. 132 ORDINANCE NO. 24 23 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY SCHEDULE, CHAPTER 15, ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15-68.1 OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY RENAMING KAHAKAI PARK, THE"WAIAKAHI`ULA BEACH PARK" IN RECOGNITION OF ITS ORIGINAL PLACE NAME. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I: SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to rename Kahakai Park, located northeast of Pahoa, situated in the region of Puna, Island and County of Hawai`i, State of Hawai`i, in recognition of its original place name. Kahakai Park is located within the historical boundaries of the Waiakahi`ula ahupua`a, adjacent to the Keonepoko, Kahuwai,Nanawale, and Honolulu ahupua`a. The Waiakahi`ula ahupua'a encompasses the present-day Hawaiian Shores and Hawaiian Beaches subdivisions in Puna. The park contains remnants of the ancient Hawaiian village of Waiakahi`ula, a once densely populated settlement with dispersed structures. Among the notable cultural and historical features are a well-preserved canoe shed, foundations of a house, and various agricultural sites. Waiakahi`ula, means "the place where the water runs red,"which comes from cascading streams along the cliffs that take on a reddish hue during the season of Ho`oilo—Hawai`i's wet and rainy season, which spans from November to April. Waiakahi`ula gained notoriety for a tumultuous battle that unfolded in the neighboring Keonepokoiki ahupua'a during the reign of the Hawaiian ali`i, `Ahia. A prominent and oppressive leader of the Puna region in the late 1700s, `Ahia imposed harsh taxes and labor on the local populace, leading to discontent and resistance. Faced with noncompliance and rebellion, `Ahia ordered his men to slaughter the maka`ainana(commoners). However, prepared to resist, the maka'ainana of the ahupua'a of Keonepokonui, Keonepokoiki, and Waiakahi`ula came together and engaged in battle. During the battle, the maka`ainana invoked the rains of Puna through ritual,resulting in a torrential rainstorm and a flood that carried the fallen bodies of`Ahia's men toward the ocean. Despite the success of the maka`ainana in battle, the coastal area of Waiakahi`ula also became the final resting place for many `iwi kupuna. It is believed that the battleground is located in the ahupua'a of Waiakahi`ula, where the present-day Keonepoko Elementary School stands. Renaming Kahakai Park to honor its original place name of Waiakahi`ula, reflects a dedicated commitment to preserving the profound cultural and historical significance of this `aina. It also ensures that its mo`olelo (story) is not only preserved, but also endures, allowing it to be appreciated by future generations.