HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0476.008 2014-2016PHONE (808) 594-1888
NATE OF HAWAN
OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS
560 N. NIMITZ HWY., SUITE 200
HONOLULU, HAWAN 96817
October 1, 2015
Maile David, Councilmember
Council District 6
West Hawaii Civic Center, Building A
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Pftowai.
PE -5, 297-15
COMM.47(p
FAX (808) 594-1988
Re: County of Hawaii Efforts to Protect and Acquire the 13 -acre, Kahua `Olohu Makahiki
Grounds and Traditional Hawaiian Game Field
Kaunamano Ahupua`a, Ka`u Moku, Hawaii Mokupuni
Tax map key (3) 9-5-012:005
Aloha Councilwoman David:
The Administration of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is writing in strong support
of County of Hawaii Resolution No. 287-15 authorizing the Director of Finance to enter.into
negotiations for the acquisition of tax map key (3) 9-5-012:005. OHA strongly supports the
purchase and protection of Kahua `61ohu —13 acres in Ka`u on Hawaii Island—by the County
of Hawaii utilizing the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fundi
OHA is the constitutionally established body responsible for protecting and promoting
the rights of Native Hawaiians. Hawaii law mandates OHA to "'[s]erve as the principal public
agency in the State of Hawaii responsible for the performance, development, and coordination
of programs and activities relating to native Hawaiians and Hawaiians; ... and [t]o assess the
policies and practices of other agencies impacting on native Hawaiians and Hawaiians, and
conducting advocacy efforts for native Hawaiians and Hawaiians." Hawaii Revised Statutes
(HRS) §10-3.
'Hawai'i County Code § 2-214(c).
COMM. No.- - --
Ref. To:
Q4f Dat,- C - - �a1�--
Councilmember Maile David
October 1, 2015
Page, 2
As the principal state agency tasked with serving Native Hawaiians, one of OHA's six
strategic priorities is Culture: Mo`omeheu, focusing on strengthening Native Hawaiians' identity
through preservation, practice, and perpetuity of our culture. For that reason, OHA has been
very active in various preservation efforts, and writes today in support of the preservation of
Kahua `Olohu.
Kahua `Olohu is a famous wahi pana (legendary place) in Ka`u, renowned for its role
during Makahiki (religious and agricultural celebration) and as a traditional Hawaiian gaming
filed, specifically for `ulu maika (bowling) and moa pahe`e (dart sliding). The preservation of
Kahua `Olohu will facilitate the practices of our beneficiaries and allow for opportunities to
maintain their historical connection to the `aina (land) in its undeveloped state, both necessary
for the perpetuation of our culture. OHA supports the efforts to protect these lands for future
generations and-- we join with the other organizations in support of efforts to purchase and
preserve Kahua `Olohu through its acquisition by the County of Hawaii.
These last vestiges of an amazing and rich cultural history, of these islands truly need to
be protected and preserved for current and future generations. It is especially invaluable to those
who are only now beginning to reconnect and understand the true history, culture and values of
Aloha.
`O wau iho no me ka `oia `i`o,
Kamana`opono M. Crabbe, Ph.D.
Ka Pouhana, Chief Executive Officer
KC:jj
C: Robert K. Lindsey Jr. — OHA Chairman and Trustee, Hawaii Island