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KAILUA, Hawaii >> Vandals destroyed a stone marker on Oahu’s windward side just weeks after it was dedicated.
The stones mark the traditional boundary between the ahupuaa — traditional mountain to ocean land divisions — of Kaneohe and Kailua.
Mahealani Cypher of the Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club said the stone marker is meant to educate people about ahupuaa and people’s kuleana, or responsibility, to take care of the area in the ahupuaa.
Representatives from Hawaiian civic clubs, government agencies and community groups blessed the ahu last month.
The stones were vandalized between 2:30 and 4:30 on Saturday afternoon, Hawaii News Now reported (http://bit.ly/15p05AD).
“Everyone was devastated. It was really disheartening because it was a symbol of reintroducing the Hawaiian concept of stewardship and caring for our resources,” Cypher said.
Club members hope someone saw what happened and will report it to the police. The marker is at Castle Junction, a busy intersection where Pali Highway and Kamehameha Highway meet.
Members filed a police report for the damage estimated at $2,500. They said they’re dismayed by this display of disrespect for Hawaiian culture, but they’re determined not to let it stop their educational efforts.
“Our project team will work with community leaders and come up with a plan to rebuild. We do intend to rebuild that ahu. We will not be defeated by vandalism,” Cypher said.
