HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0476.006 2014-2016AAA WAHINE
P.O. Box 235393
Honolulu, HI 96823
August 1, 2015
Maile David, Councilmember
Council District 6
West Hawaii Civic Center, Building A
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
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2015 OCT - I AM 10: 12
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Com m, 476
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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'0 District, Hawaii Island, TMK: (3) 9-5-012:005
Aloha Councilwoman David, 44&k' 61--/'
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Aha Wahine supports the County of Hawai'i efforts to purchase and forever protect the Kahua
Olohu Makahiki Grounds at Kaundmano, Ka'a.
Aha Wahine is an organization made up of women all of whom are affiliated with Lua, or
Hawaiian martial arts. Our mission is to educate, embrace and encourage women toward mental,
physical and spiritual wellbeing. Our organization uses traditional Hawaiian cultural practices
and values in our endeavors.
We were very excited to learn Kaunamano is home to an ancient Makahiki grounds. The
location of the Kahua Olohu within the ahupuaa of Kaunamano raises the significance of the
entire area substantially. To have a large Makahiki ground, means local and neighboring
ahupuaa schools or "Pa" would gather and practice for the challenges. This would mean that
provisions and training areas would be afforded to the different schools as they wait for their turn
to participate. These games did not last a single day but many days. Provisions would be either
brought with them or found within the ahupuaa such as gathering of materials for spears, water,
fish and other necessities that would have been cumbersome to bring. Access would, have been
granted to all the groups from mountain to sea. The use of the Alanui or the Ala Kahakai
National Historic Trail and feeder trails running from the ocean would have been a daily affair.
Therefore, a large track of land would be used and designated for the Makahiki season.
In the past, the Makahiki season was a time of peace agreed upon by all ruling chiefs. The
Makahiki games were designed to keep the elite lua warriors in shape. Only those with chiefly
lines were allowed admittance to this group., These specially trained warriors were used in time
of conflict as well as protectors of the common people of their area. They could be equated to
the modem militia. coraft. Noi U
Ref. To:
Ref, Date
It is essential for our culture to have traditional sites and practices in order to be vibrant and
growing. Besides the Makal-tiki training grounds, Kaunamano, has a number of sites and
historically significant features which can be used as a resource for our organization's activities.
The urbanization of much of our islands leaves little room for learning and practicing our
traditional arts. To be able to save this area would benefit present and future generations seeking
to embrace their Hawaiian heritage.
Mahalo,
Linda Kalco Paik, President