2022-06-08 Cultural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes

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prior to grubbing. Mr. Van Bergen stated that prior to the grubbing the parcel was not walkable as it was overgrown with shrubs and trees. Commissioner Keakealani stated that the document she reviewed mentions in italic font that the level of effort was "limited." Limited cultural and historical background review. This language caused her great concern as she advocates for extensive and expansive reviews. She noticed that five oral histories were from individuals connected to her genealogy and offered her oral history in `olelo no'eau (YouTube timestamp: 1:16:43 to 1:18:29). She also noticed that the ranching era was noted in the study and suggests outreach and a request for consultation with her uncle, Wayne Kahulamu, Hiram's brother, and her father Sonny Keakealani, as they may be the only two remaining Pu`u Wa`awa`a Ranch cowboys. Commissioner Kinney thanked Commissioner Keakealani for her mana`o. He asked why lineal descendants were not contacted, naming the Kipapa family in particular. He agreed that the outreach was limited, as many others have expressed. He also asked what improvements would be considered if changes could be made, especially because comments about this project are common and persistent. For clarification Mr. Arai asked whether this question is in reference to the Cultural Impact Assessment, and not the Burial Treatment; Commissioner Kinney confirmed. Mr. Arai stated that the assessment study was done in 2007 and although they hoped to have the author of the study present at this hearing, she was unable to attend. He added that the team cannot make assumptions about why things were or were not done and must rely on the study as presented. He stated, however, that he appreciates the comments received about additional outreach to other descendants in the adjoining ahupua'a. Commissioner Lui informed the group that she was a recognized cultural descendant of Kapala'alaea in 2010, and believes she is also a lineal descendant. Regarding Mr. Van Bergen's statement about the foliage making the land unwalkable and "cannot be done,"it has been her experience that the archaeologist will clear a path for descendants to walk through. She does not feel that overgrown terrain is a viable reason to deny a descendant walkthrough. The younger generation could walk the area and the kupuna could be present but not participate in the walk, and the walkthrough should have been done. She also provided a brief history of her genealogy and her connection to Kapala'alaea. Commissioner Lui also asked where the name La`ipala came from in the Planning Department's Background Report. The CIA listed the name properly, Laipala, which means yellow ti leaf. La`i means calm,peaceful, serene. Pala means rubbish, the softness of a boil, or yellow of a melon or leaf. She also pointed out that in the Background Report, number 28, the diacritical marks in Kapala'alaea are in the wrong place, and instead of North Kona, it is written as "North Kana." She suggests the Planning Department be more aware, proofread their reports, and put diacritical marks in the correct places, especially if these documents will be used for future reference. She feels that these types of inaccuracies show a lack of respect to the Hawaiian culture and the language. Kapala means to stain,print, or stamp. `Alaea is the ocherous earth used for coloring salt or dying and red coloring matter, also used for purification ceremonies. Kapala`alaea is also the name of a god that was carried during the Makahiki festival, making this ahupua'a even more culturally sensitive. Commissioner Lui knows some of the younger generation Nahale's who say that this ahupua'a has a high level of spiritual occurrences. She has a lot of connections to the people of the `aina and to the `aina itself, and noticed the CIA mentioned Keawe-nui-a`Umi, but there was no mention of the Page 9 of 14 Cultural Resources Commission June 8,2022