|
WHEREAS, there are numerous and well-preserved cultural sites on the Waikapuna Property in
<br /> addition to the coastal Alaloa, including an ancient village consisting of heiau, burials, lava tubes, house
<br /> foundations, ahu (altar), habitation caves, petroglyphs, papamu (stone for the game konane), salt-gathering
<br /> ponds, agricultural terraces, canoe sheds, a stone-lined spring, kamala (three-sided wind shelters walled with
<br /> stone) and mauka-makai trails connecting the.village with Na`alehu and Waiohinu; and,
<br /> WHEREAS, the resonant history and stories of Waikapuna have been preserved and passed on
<br /> through the intimate knowledge and experience of revered Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui,who was
<br /> raised by her grandmother,Nali`ipo`aimoku from Waikapuna, who was a kahuna la'aulapa'au, midwife, and
<br /> hula dancer in the court of Queen Emma. Kawena spent her childhood summers at Waikapuna with her
<br /> grandmother. Knowledge passed down from Nali`ipo`aimoku to Kawena at Waikapuna provided a
<br /> considerable amount of the foundation upon which the 20th century Hawaiian cultural renaissance and
<br /> beyond has relied. Most notably informed by Kawena's experience and time spent on the Ka`u coast and
<br /> Waikapuna is the critical cultural contribution of"The Polynesian Family System in Ka`u." Some of the sites
<br /> and areas Kawena describes in her book can still be clearly seen and experienced today on the Waikapuna
<br /> Property; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Waikapuna Property includes the makai portion of two ahupua`a, and its protection
<br /> will have a significant positive continued impact on the immense resources of Waikapuna Bay and the ocean
<br /> waters. Marine and coastal resources include a lagoon and intertidal pool complex at Waikapuna Bay which
<br /> is a nursey and refuge area for numerous marine invertebrates and fishes. The nearshore area is home to
<br /> Hawksbill and green sea turtles,whales, Hawaiian monk seals, diverse fish, limu, crustacean, shark, and
<br /> urchin populations. Many in the Ka`u community still rely on these diverse marine resources for subsistence;
<br /> and
<br /> WHEREAS, native and endangered bird and plant species thrive on the Waikapuna Property. A
<br /> massive sea cave is home to hundreds of indigenous Noio (black noddies) and Noio Kaha(brown noddies).
<br /> Sea cliffs provide habitat to colonies of endangered `Ua`u (Hawaiian petrel), indigenous `Ulili (wandering
<br /> tattlers), indigenous Koa`e Kea (whitetailed tropic birds), and Federal-candidate species `Ake`ake (band
<br /> rumped storm petrels). Vegetation along the coast, covering sand dunes, and on the cliff of Manienie Pali is
<br /> primarily native and includes nohu, nehe, ilima papa, maiapilo (limited remaining specimens at last survey),
<br /> pili, pohuehue, kauna`oa. The pasture lands include remnants of a lowland dry forest through occasional
<br /> native and Polynesian-introduced trees - alahe`e, lama, wiliwili, `ilima, naio, and noni; and
<br /> WHEREAS, The Trust for Public Land and Ala Kahakai Trail Association are in the process of
<br /> raising funds to purchase,preserve, and protect the Waikapuna Property, and Ala Kahakai Trail Association
<br /> desires to grant a conservation easement to the County of Hawai`i in order to complete the conservation
<br /> purchase,permanently protect the Property, and provide public benefits; and
<br /> WHEREAS, in the interests of 1) preserving cultural and natural resources, 2) facilitating public
<br /> access and preserving portions of the Alaloa (Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail), 3) protecting
<br /> open space, 4) ensuring recreational opportunities, 5) maintaining Ka'res rural lifestyle, and (6)
<br /> preserving the historical character of Kali, the County desires to acquire a property interest in all or a
<br /> portion of the Waikapuna Property, such as a conservation easement; now, therefore,
<br /> BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the Director
<br /> of Finance is authorized to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of land or a conservation
<br /> easement in all or a portion of the Waikapuna Property as described above, pursuant to the terms of
<br /> this resolution.
<br /> 2
<br />
|