HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0898.007 2014-2016Plfv
June 2, 2016
35 Hakalau Point Preservation Association
P.O. Box 109
Hakalau, Hawai'I 96720
Honorable Karen Eoff, Chair, Finance Committee
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
RE: Resolution 535-16 Related to Hakalau Point
Chair Eoff and Members of the County Finance Committee:
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Resolution 535-16 authorizing the
Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of Hakalau Point. I am Susan
Forbes and am currently the President of the Hakalau Point Preservation Association. I live in
Hakalau Plantation Village.
Over the past two years, my husband and I have studied the history of Hakalau. We've
reviewed Hakalau Plantation records and newspaper archives; talked with many who grew up
in Hakalau from the 1930's to 1970's; and explored Hawaiian as well as plantation history.
We've included much of this history on www.hakalauhome.com and I've attached previous
testimony by Kehaulani Lum that highlights the Hawaiian history of the site. As the result of our
explorations, we believe that Hakalau Point, part of the Hakalau Historic District, deserves
protection from development.
What we've learned about the history, the natural resources, and the culture led us to submit
the POMC "Suggestion Form" to the County last June. At a minimum, the natural resources of
Hakalau Point need to be protected from development.
Last month, the Hakalau Point Preservation Association was formed to further this recognition
and protection. Specifically, the Association was created to provide support to the County in
acquiring Hakalau Point; to establish a memorial park; to provide funds to support maintaining
and sustaining Hakalau Point Park and the park at Hakalau Bay; and to support efforts to
preserve and protect the bluff, habitat, scenic views, and natural beauty of Hakalau Point.
A little over two weeks ago, the Hakalau Point Preservation Association started a petition in
support of the POMC acquisition, creation of a park, and opposition to development. We've
used the old fashioned way to collect signatures: talking to people face-to-face. Our focus has
been our neighbors along the Hamakua Coast, although we've realized that many former
Hakalau residents now live in Puna, Hilo and elsewhere. At this point, there are over 400
Comm. 140a
Ref. To:
€. Date
signatures on the petition, including nearly unanimous support for preservation from the
owner -occupied households surrounding Hakalau Point (Hakalau Plantation Village, Hakalau
Plantation Manager's house, Opihi Point Place.) We continue to collect signatures. (Keep in
mind that in the 2010 census, there were only 300 residents from Wailea and Ninole.)
This process --by that I mean the PONC process, this hearing, consideration of the historic and
natural resources of Hakalau Point --needs to be carried forward with respect. That includes
respect for the landowner, Mr. Shropshire; the public; and Hakalau Point. If you believe that
this property (TMKs: (3) 2-9-002:079 and 081) is worthy of preservation, it would be a good
thing to vote on that basis, approve Resolution 535-16 and let the process play out. If, in the
end, the developer does not accept the offer, you will at least have made an important
statement according to your own values.
Thank you for this opportunity to testify.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Forbes
Hakalau Plantation Preservation Association
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 Kekuhaupf 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 Oahu, 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