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TYLER:Well, first of all, with some limited exception, most burials that I know
<br />about are put under the ground. So it would be what I would call subsurface. I donÓt know
<br />whether there are any burials there or not. As I say, itÓs almost impossible to go in there, and
<br />impossible.
<br />I know that this whole area, this whole coastal area was quite inhabited. I remember digging in
<br />the back yard across from Kona Inn to make a vegetable garden and finding adz fragments, a
<br />fishhook and some other things, just digging in, you know, like a few six inches down. ThereÓs
<br />not a lot of lepo here, but there is some. So I would be surprised, given the significance of this
<br />area, and itÓs connection, and IÓll be surprised if something wasnÓt found in that area.
<br />M. ROY:In testimony yesterday, we spent some time on some history related to the
<br />area. Mr. Roy testified that he understood that this would be one of the largest SMA areas in the
<br />State of Hawaii today, special management areas. We also discussed the predominance of aliÒi
<br />families along this coast. Would you concur with that testimony
<br />TYLER:I would. There was an attempt by a previous Planning Director to, I donÓt
<br />know if itÓs the largest SMA in the State. I donÓt know that to a fact, but itÓs a large area. I
<br />know that the Planning Department some years ago tried to downsize the SMA to make it makai
<br />of Alii Drive. And that met with very strong opposition, not only from myself, but literally
<br />hundreds of residents around the island. And although the Planning Commission passed it
<br />anyway, the lead state agency which at that time, I think it was the Office of State Planning,
<br />negated it at the request of many of us who said, you know, this was wrong. And itÓs, from the
<br />205A, that provision is in there.
<br />As for the chiefly families, well Hlualoa, this area of Keolonhihi, the whole Hlualoa area,
<br />even including the lands to the north where thereÓs another large heiau north of the Siegfried
<br />residents, and right directly mauka of Kona Palms Condominium is a Hlualoa chiefly residence.
<br />And IÓm sure youÓve heard the history, we know of that history.
<br />KahaluÒu and Keauhou were very important areas. IÓm sure you know, that everybody knows
<br />the history of that. And Kailua, well Kailua is a bay. But the Lanihau area, ÒAuhaukeaÒ,
<br />ÒAuhaukeaÒ was the residence of the queen mother Keopulani. Kamakahonu wh
<br />in the ahupuaÓa of Lanihau was also the residence of Queen Kaahumanu, the favorite wife of
<br />Kamehameha ÒEkahi. And also, of course, it was his, it was his last residence. I guess, I mean
<br />thereÓs others, Kalkaua and others who were here.
<br />M. ROY:And you would say then that youÓre confirming that, that that testimony
<br />for aliÒi occupancy of these lands is truthful to your knowledge?
<br />TYLER:Oh, itÓs, absolutely and, of course, itÓs, you know, the written record is
<br />replete with that. They knew a good place when they saw one, yo
<br />M. ROY:Thank you. With regard to population of an area, when on
<br />remains go in the areas that theyÓve occupied. Would that be a safe assumption?
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