2024-11-11 PL-CRC-2024-000019 Draft Cultural Impact Assessment Report for Lāʻīpala Makai PUD

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2.Background The companion to kapu was noa,translated as "freed of taboo,released from restrictions,profane,freedom" (Pukui and Elbert 1986:268). Some kapu, particularly those associated with maintaining social hierarchy and gender differentiation were unremitting,while those kapu placed on natural resources were applied and enforced according to seasonal changes. The application of kapu to natural resources ensured that such resources remained available for future use. When the ali`i or the lesser chiefs (including konohiki and po'o lawai'a) determined that a particular resource was to be made available to the people,a decree was proclaimed indicating that kapu had been lifted,thereby making it noa.Although transitioning a resource from a state of kapu to noa allowed for its use,people were expected to practice sustainable harvesting methods and pay tribute to the paramount chief and the akua associated with that resource.Kapu were strictly enforced and violators faced serious consequences including death(Jokiel et al. 2011). Violators who escaped execution sought refuge at a pu`uhonua, a designated place of refuge or an individual who could pardon the accused(Kamakau 1992). After completing the proper rituals, the violator was absolved of his or her crime and allowed to reintegrate back into society. In summary,the layering and interweaving of beliefs,land stewardship practices, and the socio-political system form the basis of the relationship shared between the Hawaiian people and the land.It is through the analysis of these dynamic elements that we develop an understanding of the complexity of place. KAPALA'ALAEA 2ND: A CULTURE-HISTORICAL CONTEXT Situated on the leeward side of Hawaii Island, the project area is in Kapala`alaea 2nd (Figure 7), which is one of multiple ahupua'a that make up the central portion of the North Kona District.Kapala`alaea is bound to the east and south by Kahalu`u Ahupua`a, to the north by Kapala`alaea 1st Ahupua`a, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. Although culture-historical information making explicit reference to Kapala`alaea 2nd(and 1st) is limited, historical references describing the neighboring lands of La`aloa and Kahalu`u abound. As such, the following background information contextualizes the subject ahupua'a of Kapala`alaea within a slightly broader regional context. Prior to 1859,Kona was a single moku(district)that extended from Kohala to Ka`n but during the 1859 legislative session, this moku was divided into two regions, Kona `Akau (North Kona) and Kona Hema (South Kona) (King 1935). The project area is within Kona`Akau(Figure 7),whose boundaries are commemorated in the `olelo no'eau (poetical expression) "Kona `akau,mai Keahualono a Pu`uohau"which translates to"North Kona,from Keahualono to Pu'uohau" (Pukui 1983:198). Kona `Akau was further divided into `okana or subregions that were comprised of multiple ahupua'a that shared topographic and environmental similarities.The lands comprising the subject ahupua'a of Kapala`alaea are within the `okana affectionately known as Kona kai `opua which has been interpreted as"Kona of the distant horizon clouds above the ocean" (Maly and Maly 2004:6). This subregion,which takes its name from the `opua or the billowy white clouds that perch on the horizon, is renowned in traditional mele (songs) and `olelo no`eau.The following `olelo no'eau recorded by Pukui(1983)speaks to the importance of observing Kona's horizon for the `opua which brought relief to the people as it was a sure sign of impending rain: Aia ka wai i ka maka o ka `opua. Water is in the face of the `opua cloud. In Kona,when the `opua cloud appear in the morning,it's a sign that rain is to be expected. (Pukui 1983:9) Ao `opiopio. Young cloud. A cloud that rises from sea level or close to the cloud banks and is as white as steam.When seen in Kona,Hawai`i, this is a sign of rain. (Pukui 1983:27) Kona, kai `opua i ka la'1. Kona,where the horizon clouds rest in the calm. (Pukui 1983:199) Mama Kona i ka wai kau mai i ka maka o ka `opua. Kona is lightened in having water in the face of the clouds. Kona is relieved,knowing that there will be no drought,when the clouds promise rain. (Pukui 1983:232) CIA for the Ld'Ipala Makai Planned Unit Development,Kapala`alaea 2,North Kona,Hawaii 11