HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0163.002 2014-2016April 5, 2016
Honorable Karen Eoff, Chair, Finance Committee
E2 J
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 i
RE: Communication No. 163.1 —.-'
Chair Eoff and Members of the County Finance Committee: N
Thank you for this opportunity to testify. I am Susan Forbes and I live in Hakalau. Over the past two
years, my husband and I have compiled extensive research on the area that was formerly Hakalau
Plantation as we created the website www.hakalauhome.com. As a result of this research, we realized
that Hakalau Point is a unique and historically significant site. My testimony today is in support of
County acquisition of Hakalau Point, one of the PONC priorities. This testimony is an opportunity to
illustrate the importance of this site with photos.
Hakalau Point is the only Big Island plantation site that has not been developed.
County acquisition of Hakalau Point is a unique opportunity to preserve open space, protect natural
resources and provide open vistas, recreational and educational space for the public.
COmm. No. I 1
Ref. To; L
aaf Dote APR n 5 ants
View Plane from Hakalau Bridge on Highway 19,
taken September 2015 courtesy of Ken Forbes
Aerial view of Hakalau, Hakalau Point, Hakalau Bay, Hakalau Bridge, 2015
2
Hakalau Point is in danger of immediate development
The landowner is not opposed to selling the property. However, the landowner proposes development for
the site, to include 11 residential units along the makai side of the Point, and mixed commercial and
industrial on the mauka side of the Point. Preparation of the rezoning application is currently in process.
Once developed, the site would be lost to the public and the natural resources placed at risk.
MASTER PLAN
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Developer's conceptual master plan
Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites
The Hakalau Historic Districts, which includes Hakalau Point, was added to the State Inventory of Historic
Places in 1973.
Hawaiian History
Hakalau Point played a major role in Hawaiian History. Kamehameha's landing and battle at Hakalau has
been well documented by Desha and is a seminal event in his rise to power and unification of the Hawaiian
Islands. Refer to letter from Kehaulani Lum dated 9/8/15, attached to this testimony.
Plantation History
Thousands of people worked for the Hakalau Plantation. Hakalau Point was the hub of the plantation. By
honoring this site, we are honoring those who came before us and created the environment and spirit we
enjoy today. Preserving the Point helps us preserve the culture and provides the venue for cultural and
historic education.
1 See LOG NO: 2013,6237; DOC NO: 1312TDO1 reference to SIHP-50-10-16-7392.
3
Immigrants to Hawaii. Employees with 40 years of service. Photo from the Waichi Ouye Collection
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Boys Day celebration, 1920's, Hakalau Lower Camp. Photo from the Waichi Ouye Collection.
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Japanese and Korean Cemetery
The former Japanese and Korean Cemetery is located on the Point, behind the former plantation stables.
The cemetery once contained the remains of Hakalau Plantation workers. According to oral interviews, the
remains of those buried were removed and reinterred at Homelani Park. It is possible that some remains
of those buried at this site might still be present in the soil. The site was deemed significant under Criterion
D and possibly under Criterion E if remains still exist in the former cemetery.2
Photo courtesy Lyman Museum, 1928
2 The Data Recovery Plan, LOG 2014.02701; DOC 1407SN07, submitted in June 2014, was accepted by the
State Department of Land Use and Natural Resources in July 2014. The next step was submission of a Data
Recovery Report of the excavations outlined in the plan. This was required to determine whether remains
still existed at the site. Data recovery has not been conducted.
5
1920's mule team near the loading dock and stables. Courtesy Lyman Museum.
Japanese and Korean Cemetery
The former Japanese and Korean Cemetery is located on the Point, behind the former plantation stables.
The cemetery once contained the remains of Hakalau Plantation workers. According to oral interviews, the
remains of those buried were removed and reinterred at Homelani Park. It is possible that some remains
of those buried at this site might still be present in the soil. The site was deemed significant under Criterion
D and possibly under Criterion E if remains still exist in the former cemetery.2
Photo courtesy Lyman Museum, 1928
2 The Data Recovery Plan, LOG 2014.02701; DOC 1407SN07, submitted in June 2014, was accepted by the
State Department of Land Use and Natural Resources in July 2014. The next step was submission of a Data
Recovery Report of the excavations outlined in the plan. This was required to determine whether remains
still existed at the site. Data recovery has not been conducted.
5
Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains
Hakalau Point is one of the few readily accessible scenic overlooks along the Hamakua coast. It is the only
major lookout between Wainaku and Waipio.
There is a fishing spot established during plantation times that is still in use, although some restoration and
ongoing maintenance are needed.
The old trolley path from the Point to the Mill (the Bay) still exists. Regular maintenance of this path
increases access to the beach.
Trolley from Hakalau Point to the mill site by Hakalau Bay.
Photo published in Sugar Town.
Hakalau Point is a natural venue for education about the Hakalau Sugar Plantation and Hawaii's
immigrants. By educating new residents and younger generations, we take strides in preserving and
sharing our culture.
Protection of natural resources, including buffer zones.
Acquisition by the County of Hawaii will preclude the development of housing along the cliffs
of Hakalau Point. The advantages include:
Protecting the cliffs from collapse resulting from construction. Setbacks can be established to
better protect the cliffs. These setbacks also protect the ocean resources below.
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Cliff failure, January 2015, overlooking Hakalau Bay directly across from Hakalau Point
The protected Hakalau Bay serves as a nursery habitat for most of our coastal marine fishes.
Protecting the monk seal. Hakalau Beach is a known birthing site of the endangered Hawaiian
Monk seal, which has been migrating to the main Hawaiian Islands, due to the rapid habitat loss
of beaches on the low-lying atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
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Monk Seal resting at Hakalau Bay, February 2013.
Photo courtesy of Susan Forbes
Protecting the estuary. Estuaries are relatively rare along the Hamakua cost, especially this one
receiving clean, mountain water from the pristine Hakalau stream.
Protecting the opihi.
7
Preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas, natural beauty, and agricultural lands
Acquisition by the County of Hawaii protects the scenic landscape of Hakalau Point. This is a wonderful.site
for watching whales and dolphins, surfers below, and enjoying the serenity of the natural environment.
Acquisition by the County enables:
➢ Creation of a memorial to honor those who came before us focusing on Hawaiian, plantation
and immigrant history of the area.
➢ Creation of a recreational park with walking and bike paths. Details regarding exact location
of paths, benches, etc. and specific uses of the plantation warehouses will be fully
developed through community meetings.
➢ Protection of the natural resources and scenic beauty of the area.
Thank you for this opportunity to endorse the County's acquisition of Hakalau Point in furtherance of
public access, open space and natural resources preservation.
Respectfully submitted,
4-'C
Susan Forbes
www.hakalauhome.com
PO Box 199
Hakalau, H196710
8
September 8, 2015
TO: Commissioners of the Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space and
Natural Resources Preservation Commission
FROM: Kehaulani Lum
Aloha!
Mahalo nui loa for this opportunity to present my concerns regarding the cultural
and historically important lands of Hakalau Point.
My name is Kehaulani Lum, and I am a lineal descendant of Kapou, the son of a
Konohiki of Hakalau-nui and recipient of a Mahele grant in Wailea, which our'ohana
stewards today. I wholeheartedly support your consideration of this opportunity to
improve public access, open space and cultural, historic and natural resource
preservation.
Hakalau-nui carries the name of a ruling chief, who was the kaulana nui
(administrator of land) of the area and a revered 'olohe, a master fighter. The 'olohe
of this area were renown for their prowess, and the ancient spiritual art of lua, from
self-defense to healing, was practiced and taught here.
In the Mahele, the lands encompassing Hakalau-nui, Hilo Paliku, were given by the
King to Mikahela Kekau'onohi, the granddaughter of King Kamehameha. She held
them until her death, when her estate entered into probate and was ultimately
ordered by the Court to be sold, rather than to be retained by her heir. Hakalau-nui,
thus, slipped away from their ancient purposes and entered into the holdings of
foreign commerce.
Along with the lands went the memories of a significant ancient battle which took
place on these very shores between King Kamehameha's armies and the warriors of
Kahekili of Maui.
It is widely known today that Kamehameha, who thereupon confirmed the prophecy
that he would be a great warrior king, lifted the historic Naha Stone, which sits
outside of the Hilo Public Library. Less is known, however, of the circumstances
that precipitated his act.
The Reverend Stephen L. Desha, who published a series on Kamehameha Paiea and
his great warrior, Kekuhaupi'o, in his weekly Hawaiian language newspaper Ka
Hoku o Hawaii, wonderfully captured the story in the 1920s. Desha writes:
"After the passage of seven anahulu periods during which time Kamehameha
arranged his battle divisions, he asked Kekuhaupi o to accompany him to Hilo
Paliku... Chief Kamehameha's great canoe was prepared and he took his warriors
with him, a very wise act, because during this journey they were attacked by some
Maui people.
This was a great canoe which Kamehameha had prepared, and it carried almost two
hundred men on one double canoe. There were also some swift sailing canoes, each
canoe being able to carry fifty men with ease.
Kamehameha and his warriors left Kohala, followed by Kekuhaupi o and some
warrior chiefs of Kohala. They sailed easily to land at Hakalau where Kamehameha
and Kekuhaupi o and their people were entertained by Chiefess Keakealani of Hilo;
Princess Likoa; and Kahipa, the daughter of Chief K anekoa of Hamakua. She was
living at Hakalau with her female hoandnau in those days. This visit by High Chief
Kamehameha was a cause for joyous entertainment by these high chiefesses of Hilo
and Hamakua...
When Kamehameha arrived with his people at Hakalau, Kahahawai was staying in
the upland forest of Hakalau, making a canoe for his lord, Kahekili of Maui. With
him at that time was Kaihe, the "black [tattoo] of Kahekili," one of Kahekili's very
great favorites, who was a famous warrior against Kahekili's men."
Desha depicts in great detail the great battle which ensued here between
Kamehameha's army and the warriors of Kahekili, revealing that it was the seminal
event which led to the young chief being called to test his strength, and lineage, on
the Naha stone. "On hearing of Kamehameha's victory in this battle with the Maui
people, Chief Keawemauhili sighed, and said: "This is perhaps the bravery which
shall achieve the conquest of these islands."
This victorious fight led other chiefs to announce to Keawemauhili, "Indeed, your
words at the time of this young chiefs birth were really correct, that this was the
appropriate time to pinch the tip of the mulberry. Now at this time, the branch is
hardened, and the tip of the mulberry cannot be pinched off. Alas for us in the
future. Perhaps the bitter fruits of the actions of this young chief will come, for here
in the dust of morning (youth] that one's extraordinary deeds are already apparent."
Like Kamehameha's later battle at Nu'uanu Pali, which helped seal his victory on the
island of O'ahu, his battle at Hakalau-nui was a pivotal moment in his ascension and
led to his greatest achievement, the establishing of peace, through the unification of
the islands of Hawai i.
Here is the historic story of Hakalau-nui which I believe truly makes this space
extremely worthy of protection. Mahalo nui loa for your sincere consideration.
Aloha, Kehaulani Lum