HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm 26-041 - LOS 26-06 Muise, Kuulani
Comm 26-041
From:Kuulani Muise
To:PONC Testimony
Subject:PONC Application for Hakalau-iki
Date:Wednesday, March 4, 2026 8:18:50 AM
March 4, 2026
Ke aloha nui i oukou e k County of Hawaii,
My name is Kuulani Muise. I am writing to you in support of the application to purchase the
shoreline easement of Hakalau-iki (TMK 2-9-002:001) in perpetuity by the County through
the Public Access Open Spaces and Natural Resources Preservation (PONC) Fund process.
Hakalau-iki! So storied and precious to those of us who live in and love Hilo-palik.
In the kaao of Pele and Hiiaka, Hiiaka and Wahinemao leave Piihonua and arrive at
Hakalau. There they see men, women, and children surfing. Hiiaka points out that they are
not real people but supernatural beings. When Wahinemao doubts Hiakas observation,
Hiiaka tells her if she tears a lehua branch and throws it into the sea and the surfers scatter,
than they are surely supernatural - which she does, and they do.
The branch she threw into the water was said to be from the ancient ululehua (lehua grove)
called Malaeakini, with its famous bristly lehua maka ooi. It was a place of healing and was
visited often by anyone traveling along the cliffs to Hakalau.
"He ululehua kaulana loa keia i ka wa kahiko. He wahi keia e hele nui ai na poe hoolana ma'i
ia mau la. A he ulu lehua makaikai nui ia nohoi e na huakai hele makaikai." ÏKuokoa Home
Rula, Volume VII, Number 4, 22 January 1909
In my reading, this ina, this parcel, is very likely the area in which the lehua grove of
Malaeakini stretched. From Hakalau-nui south to Wailea. A rain associated with Hakalau is ka
ua l lehua o Malaeakini.
Though years of sugar plantations have supplanted some of these stories and knowings, they
are still there on the land at Hakalau-iki (and in our old newspapers), waiting for us to
remember themÏthe storied ulu hala of Wailea (with their kaikamhine kk hala, the famed
hala-opening girls), the thick hau grove of Kahaukomo, and Ulukkahi, the long-remembered
ulu trees of Hakalau-iki.
Beyond our stories of planted abundance, there are the many waters to remember and mlama,
the rivers, springs, and aekai. Awakee, Awakapu, Nhakaipu stream, Kpalaha falls that
comes pouring out of the cliff face at Manamana, the twin springs of Wailea-kai.
Brilliant stewardship is one way to recover and reintegrate with these artifacts of abundance
and healing and I can not commend any hui more excitedly than Makahanaloa Fishing
Association and Kmaulihou to that work.
Comm 26-041
As a member of MFA, a kamaina who was raised in Hakalau, and a historian and lover of
these places and everything they hold for us in our time when we access and engage them, I
strongly urge the County PONC Commission to highly rate this application. Beyond fishing
and diving (which are vital practices, to be sure), this place is essential for the memories it
holds, the kind of memories that can guide our kaiulu here in Hilo-palik to more and more
beautiful futurities. In my capacity at MFA, I am committed to the health and stewardship of
this stretch of cliff-line, shoreline, storyline, alongside these amazing hui.
So that the rains of Hakalau can fall on the lehua maka ooi once again, e alu ka pule i
Hakalau!
Me ka mahalo nui a me ke aloha ina,
Kuulani Muise, resident of Kahua, Pepeekeo and member of the Makahanaloa Fishing
Association.