Laserfiche WebLink
sell it. Mr. Rapozo is willing to sell the land for the same amount he <br />purchased it for, $51,000.00. Since learning of Mr. Rapozo's plan, Mr. <br />Alvarez is working under tight time constraints. The property has been <br />registered and given a historical site number. <br />Mr. Alvarez has been recognized by OHA, Island Burial Council <br />and the State Historic Preservation Division as cultural descendants <br />and /or beneficiaries. Due to the State of Hawai`i's lack of funding to <br />protect ancient Hawaiian burial sites, desecration has occurred. Mr. <br />Alvarez would like to start preserving this particular site because it has not <br />been "hit ". It's a win -win situation if they all work together in trying to help <br />each other out. Mr. Alvarez stated if the County has monies to purchase <br />these kinds of properties, this parcel would be a good candidate. <br />The State of Hawaii plans on doing a thorough survey of the entire <br />cave at the end of this month. Mr. Alvarez states it's a very large cave <br />that could easily fit an entire house in it. Mr. Alvarez then stated from <br />what he's learned, as a cultural way, the cave is a part of the burial and <br />being that this is the way that people can gain access and desecrate, this <br />is what they are trying to prevent from happening. <br />Chair Replogle asked Mr. Alvarez if there was anything that the <br />State could do to stop anything from happening on the land before any <br />funding can be found. Mr. Alvarez stated because it's marked as a <br />historical site, anything that the land owner does would be considered a <br />state offense because it's marked in the historical registration. Mr. <br />Alvarez stated that the police have already been informed of the situation. <br />Chair Replogle then asked Mr. Alvarez what he would propose to <br />do with the site should it be purchased with County tax dollars. Mr. <br />Alvarez stated that because cave is "open ", he plans on having a cap put <br />on the cave to seal it, so the remains would remain undisturbed. Once the <br />site is protected and preserved, then he would like to build a monument <br />built, similar to those on Oahu, indicating it as a historical site. <br />Commissioner Kaneshiro asked what the estimated cost was. Mr. Alvarez <br />replied that it was $51,000.00 for half an acre. Mr. Alvarez stated with the <br />amount of "loopholes" in the State, purchasing the property is the only way <br />to have sure protection that the site will be taken cared of. Lineal and <br />direct descendents are having a hard time and are being locked out. They <br />don't know if the next purchaser would be as culturally sensitive about <br />ancient Hawaiian burial sites. <br />Mr. Alvarez stated that he spoke to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs <br />however, in their current situation it will take years before they could offer <br />help. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is currently trying to find the means <br />and funds to assist them. The Lieutenant Governor is also trying to help <br />2 <br />