HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 132 Draft 01 2022-2024 COUNTY OF HAWAII •14`:'=` :• `I
STATE OF HAWAI
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BILL NO. 132
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY
SCHEDULE, CHAPTER 15,ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15-68.1 OF THE HAWAII
COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY RENAMING KAHAKAI
PARK, THE "WAIAKAHI`ULA BEACH PARK" IN RECOGNITION OF ITS
ORIGINAL PLACE NAME.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to rename Kahakai Park, located
northeast of Pahoa, situated in the region of Puna, Island and County of Hawai`i, State of
Hawai`i, in recognition of its original place name.
Kahakai Park is located within the historical boundaries of the Waiakahi`ula ahupua`a,
adjacent to the Keonepoko, Kahuwai,Nanawale, and Honolulu ahupua`a. The Waiakahi`ula
ahupua'a encompasses the present-day Hawaiian Shores and Hawaiian Beaches subdivisions in
Puna. The park contains remnants of the ancient Hawaiian village of Waiakahi`ula, a once
densely populated settlement with dispersed structures. Among the notable cultural and historical
features are a well-preserved canoe shed, foundations of a house, and various agricultural sites.
Waiakahi`ula, means "the place where the water runs red," which comes from cascading
streams along the cliffs that take on a reddish hue during the season of Ho`oilo—Hawai`i's wet
and rainy season, which spans from November to April.
Waiakahi`ula gained notoriety for a tumultuous battle that unfolded in the neighboring
Keonepokoiki ahupua'a during the reign of the Hawaiian ali`i, `Ahia. A prominent and
oppressive leader of the Puna region in the late 1700s, `Ahia imposed harsh taxes and labor on
the local populace, leading to discontent and resistance. Faced with noncompliance and
rebellion, `Ahia ordered his men to slaughter the maka`ainana(commoners). However, prepared
to resist, the maka`ainana of the ahupua'a of Keonepokonui, Keonepokoiki, and Waiakahi`ula
came together and engaged in battle.
During the battle, the maka`ainana invoked the rains of Puna through ritual, resulting in a
torrential rainstorm and a flood that carried the fallen bodies of`Ahia's men toward the ocean.
Despite the success of the maka`ainana in battle, the coastal area of Waiakahi`ula also became
the final resting place for many `iwi kupuna.
It is believed that the battleground is located in the ahupua'a of Waiakahi`ula, where the
present-day Keonepoko Elementary School stands.
Renaming Kahakai Park to honor its original place name of Waiakahi`ula, reflects a
dedicated commitment to preserving the profound cultural and historical significance of this
`aina. It also ensures that its mo`olelo (story) is not only preserved, but also endures, allowing it
to be appreciated by future generations.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to chapter 15, article 8, section 15-67(a)(1) of the Hawai`i County
Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), that establishes requirements for naming County parks
and recreation facilities, to "retain any existing name which has been historically accepted
through common usage," or"be named, preferably in the Hawaiian language, in a manner which
describes significant features or the geographic location of said aesthetic area,"the Kahakai Park
in the region of Puna is hereby renamed, the"Waiakahi`ula Beach Park."
SECTION 3. Chapter 15, article 8, section 15-68.1 of the Hawaii County Code 1983
(2016 Edition, as amended), is amended by amending the parks recreational facility schedule,
"Puna" section by renaming "Kahakai Park"to "Waiakahi`ula Beach Park",to read as follows:
"[Kahakai Park] Waiakahi`ula Beach Park" 1-5-063:001
SECTION 4. Material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New material is
underscored. In printing this ordinance, the brackets, bracketed and stricken material and
underscoring need not be included.
SECTION 5. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof
to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
applications of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 6. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
, Hawai`i
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date:
REFERENCE Comm.. 721
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