RES 114 Draft 01 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO.~ A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE PRESERVATION OF HUNTING RIGHTS IN HAWAII. WHEREAS, the early Hawaiians regarded the pig to be such a significant animal that it was transported with them when they crossed the Pacific Ocean to settle in the Hawai' ian Islands; and WHEREAS, over time, the pig assumed a major role in the lives of the early Hawaiians, serving not only as an important food source, but also an integral part of important ceremonies such as the 'aha'aina mawaewae - a feast celebrating the birth of a first child which dedicated the child to the 'aumakua (ancestral guardians) and the 'aha'aina kala hala or the feast for forgiving; and WHEREAS, shortly after initial western contact in 1778, the larger European boar was introduced to the islands and has since hybridized with the Polynesian pig; and WHEREAS, it is also clearly recognized that while the pig species has changed, as well as the means of hunting it, strong subsistence and cultural values associated with the pig still remain; and WHEREAS, today many Hawai'ians, as well as others, continue to hunt the pig for subsistence purposes and as a means to preserve their customs and traditions; and WHEREAS, the complexities of to day's society have made it more and more difficult to continue this practice; and WHEREAS, access to traditional pig hunting areas is being restricted in some places; pigs are being eradicated in other areas; and increased access and lack of enforcement has resulted in a poaching problem in some forest areas; and WHEREAS, these factors have resulted in a decreased number of game animals available for use by community members and sportsmen; and WHEREAS, it is important and in the interest of the public to preserve this way of life, conserve resources and to ensure that cultural rights, practices and customs are preserved for subsistence hunters and that present hunting areas are maintained for future generations. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HA W All that it supports the preservation of cultural rights and practices for subsistence hunters o.~) lIU'l6J.&J . "I I I I I I I I i I