COM 0954.000 2016-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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