Vision to restore Kawainui is a monumental task

We, Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi, are in full support of the May 2014 Kawainui-Hamakua Complex Master Plan Draft.

First, an important point to share: The state Department of Land and Natural Resources and Helber Hastert & Fee (HHF) Planners made an intentional effort to provide seats at the planning table for representatives of the kanaka maoli culture and practitioner groups of Kailua and Kawainui. For the first time since planning started circa 1992, we had a place at the table. Our voice was heard and our mana’o is now reflected in the draft.

Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi has a curatorship agreement with state parks for Na Pohaku O Hauwahine, and has a co-curatorship agreement for Ulupo Heiau, where we share kuleana with the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club. We have actively restored damaged lands (cleared invasive species, junk cars, rubbish) in and around Kawainui since the early 1990s.

At Na Pohaku we have restored a native lowland forest. We have planted approximately 84 species of native varieties. Where once koa haole and java plum dominated the landscape, they have been replaced by the kinolau of the akua deities. The land is clean, healthy and vibrant. We envision doing the same at all areas along the shores of Kawainui and mauka as well.

Where once the area below Ulupo Heiau was filled with invasive shrubbery, today it is filled with thriving, spring-fed lo‘i and mala (garden) where field taro is grown. Native plants now flourish here.

We lead the effort, but could not have made progress without the support of DLNR, state parks and the Division of Fish and Wildlife, along with all our dedicated volunteers. Please support the plan.

Kawainui is of such great importance. Today we use Kawainui to teach science, culture, ahupua‘a resource management and land restoration. Education is key in preparing people to malama ‘aina for today and tomorrow. To heal the ‘aina is to heal ourselves.

To facilitate our continuous malama ‘aina work, we have asked the state for many years for safe parking for volunteers. At Na Pohaku, we have had close calls with road traffic. Finally, the state is responding by providing several safe parking areas.

We also requested safe parking for school buses. At one meeting, concerns were raised that these areas could be used by tour buses. We suggested that all bus parking areas be blocked with a chain and padlock, to be opened by appointment based on visiting times with the schools.

Ahahui and our partners secured a grant to generate digitized conceptual drawings that reflect our vision. The kauhale structures shown on a map in the draft plan reflect numerous meetings with HHF and all of our partners with the purpose to promote cultural practice, education, to grow food, to grow native plants needed for the Kawainui restoration, to grow craft plants, for halau to practice and perform, to teach wood carving and pahu making, to teach farming, to teach traditional and modern sustainable practices, to house the fortunate nonprofit that would receive a long-term lease. Our long-term vision is to restore part of Kawainui to a fully functioning loko i‘a (fishpond).

Our plans at Ulupo Heiau reflect a mutual effort between Ahahui, the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and state parks. Two hale are planned here: one for a plant nursery to raise native plants for restoration purposes; the other is a traditional hale for cultural and interpretive gatherings.

We are fully supportive of Hika‘alani, the cultural center envisioned by our partner, Halau Mohala lIima. We also support the canoe paddlers whose hale wa‘a is shown in the plan.

Perform due diligence and read the planning document. This is an environmental and cultural restoration plan with a strong educational component. The vision to restore the health of Kawainui is a monumental task. It‘s generational work. We need the resources to accomplish this vision; this plan provides some of those resources. And a permanent cultural presence will bring a new vitality to these kupuna lands.

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CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story contained a map that pointed to just a small portion of Kawainui Marsh as the project location. The Kawainui-Hamakua Complex draft master plan pertains to the entire Kawainui Marsh as well as Hamakua Marsh.