The bulldozing and desecration of Hawea Heiau in Maunalua (Hawai'i Kai) is a travesty.
Mahalo. Our kupuna are calling out to us for help.
I have heard them and this blog is given them a voice in this blog site - people can see and read what's going on and help Hawea.
Just a few things:
In discussion with kupuna and cultural experts they have shared a heiau is not just the temple that is sacred - the materials; rock walls, structures etc, - but it is the land itself that is sacred.This is why you'll find one heiau built over another through history, they are building on the sacred site. Parts of Hawea have been bulldozed but they can be rebuilt on the same land because the land is sacred, the land is the link between humans and the our Hawaiian gods.
When I wrote "A copy of this agreement was supposed to have been shared with the community before any work was done per information provided by the SHPD office. "
To be completely clear, a copy of the agreement was supposed to have been given to the community by the developerbefore any work was done per information provided by the SHPD office.
The bulldozing and desecration of Hawea Heiau in Maunalua (Hawai'i Kai) is a travesty. Our community is both sad and angry. Where is the respect for our wahi pana (sacred places) and our kupuna? How can we all come together to save the iwi and archeological features that call to us for help?
We write with deep gratitude, hearts filled with aloha for all of you and the continuing awe inspiring and humbling reality of the mana, the power and strength, of our kupuna and our never ending connection to them and they to us.
A kahea came from Hawea Heiau asking all for the sound of the drums to unite us from Kaua’i to Hawai’i island on Nov, 7th, 2009 and to join together to make sure our sacred cultural sites are properly protected and respected throughout Hawai’i nei. The drumming was to let our kupuna know we honor their presence there and to let them know that we are united to work as hard as we can to make sure they, and the history they represent, will not be allowed to be erased, to be bulldozed, from the land. And the kahea was to drum to let the State Historic Preservation Division hear that throughout our islands we have lost faith in their ability to properly protect and respect our precious and priceless cultural areas.
Those who supported our efforts used the pahu, their ipu, ohe pu or whatever instrument they needed to join us and this included the simple tapping gently over their heart, but most importantly they came with the beat of their hearts, the beat that unites us all as Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians.
This simple kahea touched people all over Hawai'i and the world who participated at numerous sites so proper care and protection will be given to our sacred cultural places. We were overwhelmed with the positive response we received which truly spoke to the power of our kupuna who guide us.
On Nov. 7th, at 6pm at Hawea Heiau Complex, the drumming began, and at that moment we knew we were connected with people throughout Hawai’i nei and the world including: Lana’i, New York City, Waianae, Mexico, Ualaka’a, Arizona, Ulupo, Spain, Pahua, Australia, Kaneilio, New Zealand, Puakea, San Francisco, Naue, Boston, Kukaniloko, Oregon, Pu’u O Mahuka, Tahiti, Kona, Colorado, Puakea, Los Angeles, Ahu'ena, Guatemala and numerous other sites worldwide. We acknowledge all of you throughout Hawai’i and the world and give you all our deepest mahalo.
As the cool light at the end of the day slowly turned into the warm darkness of night which wrapped around us at Hawea Heiau, the sound of the drums and ohe pu reverberated throughout this sacred site.
In the darkness, and with the sound of the drums and ohe pu, we felt comfort and knew our kupuna were there and present with us.
Hawea Heiau is currently under great danger of destruction to make way for the development of a gated condominium project. As we drummed and prayed, a representative of the land owner, in coordination with his assistants, stood on the heiau platform and called the police to remove us from Hawea Heiau Complex where we were engaged in our cultural practice. So great was the mana from the prayers and drumming at Hawea that all were powerless to stop our drumming for our sacred sites throughout Hawai'i nei.
Our kupuna were with us and ensured that no harm befell anyone. The Honolulu Police Department, unaware of the PASH Law, and our right to conduct cultural practices, joined the men and asked that we leave the area. We were peaceful, non-violent, and let it be known it is our right by law to be at Hawea. We stayed at Hawea Heiau until 7pm and when we completed our prayers and drumming we were escorted off Hawea Heiau by the police.
Hawea Heiau has opened up another door of opportunity for us to educate others, not only about our sacred cultural sites and the need for their proper care and protection, but our right, by law, to conduct our cultural practices as free people.
As we left Hawea Heiau the screech of a pueo, an owl, was heard, When those in our group looked up, an owl flew over our group. This ho’ailona, this symbol, we later learned occurred at other sites where drumming was taking place. Please read excerpts below from emails we received from people sharing their experiences and their photos from the Nov. 7th, 2009.
Please know we have planned two kahea; the first kahea was called for on Nov. 7th, 2009 and the second kahea will take place in the Spring of 2010 when the Hawai’i State Legislature is in session. We are currently working on legislation for the 2010 legislative session to ensure our sacred historic and cultural sites are properly protected.
Our kupuna are with us always, in the sky, the land, the sea and in our hearts and we will fight to make sure they know we are with them and we have not forgotten how important they are to all of us - Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian.
Mahalo,
Ann Marie Kirk, Liveable Hawai’i Kai Hui member
Chris Cramer, Liveable Hawai’i Kai Hui member, East O’ahu Historian
Kaleo Paik, Cultural Keeper
Hawea Heiau
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From California
Ava Aha,
The songs were sung throughout the Los Angeles area. We are very thankful to have been a part of such a powerful call to the four directions and the grandmothers to request prayers for the Hawaiian people and all people who struggle to keep sacred sites from further desecration.
We also see the owl as one who can bring a message from the other side in its soft hoot.
Thank you all for sharing so many beautiful words in this very spiritual action. This should be done more often. It was a very moving and powerful time for these songs and prayers.
Neschun Achama
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From Kukaniloko, O’ahu
Pule Kakou...mahalo piha to all those who were at wahi kapu O Kukaniloko last night to become an intricate part of the spiritual ho`okani ka pahu, ipu, and the drums of our First Nation brothers and sisters...and mahalo to all those who joined in rhythm by the tapping of your hearts wherever you were...with unified intention of honoring our wahi kapu, wahi pana and kupunama here in our pae `aina and globally and with
respect to all nations and our cultural traditions, our hearts now beat as one...the cry of the pueo o Kukaniloko and her circle overhead on her return to her punana was a truly beautiful ho`ailona that those in Spirit acknowledge our aloha and malama for them....
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From Pu’u o Mahuka, O’ahu
In Pupukea at 6pm I blew the pu for our ancestors while my friend beat the drum. The feeling was of despair. I could feel kupuna all around me.
Thoughts returned to my beloved Naue and my heart, though heavy, was glad to know that our ohana were there while I was here. All over the world our kupuna are being acknowledged and honored... the wind blew gently and I knew they are with me so far away from home.
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From New York City, New York
At 10:30 p.m (5:30pm Hawai'i time) . On Saturday, Nov 7, about 40 New Yorkers and a few visitors from Hawai'i gathered at Union Square, Manhattan to honor the cultural legacy of Hawea Heiau complex and to show solidarity for the efforts in Hawai'i to protect sacred sites. Organized with the help of Na 'Oiwi NYC, a student led group out of New York University, the gathering began with chants.
Various hula groups from the New York area showed up and our activities ended with several hula in honor of our ali'i and some good kanikapila and hula. It was very uplifting to see the response here in New York when the call was made to come out to show support for this cause. We felt honored to be apart of a much larger movement that was happening thoughout the world. Mahalo.
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From Mexico
We drummed for five hours and sang many prayer songs, we gathered around the EARTHDANCE tambor (drum). Women, men and children praying for LOVE, PEACE, RESPECT and UNITY and guess what? The OWL is the sacred totem for our elders in this part of México (Baja California) and of course very sacred for our DANZA DE LA MADRE TIERRA (Earthdance). Are we all connected in synchronicity or what?
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From Lana’i
Mahalo nui i ka ho’okipa ana mai maka po nei, ua ‘ola ka ‘aina. Thank you for gathering together last evening, the land has life.
Mahalo ke Akua!
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From Aotearoa (New Zealand)
Nga mihinui, Nga mihi aroha to all,
Aloha to our dear family in Hawaii...
We are entering the time of renewal, a time of remembering the sacred truths . . . .
Blessing to all, who sat and honored this time of sharing in the Wairua/ spiritual realms, uniting one to the other, one from the other...so that the energy of walking Universal oneness is made stronger.. It was a beautiful and strong ceremony, thank you for inviting us to share in this time with you all.
Our totem for our tribal area here in Aotearoa, is Owl... known as Ruru... the night eagle...
Kia tau te Rangimarie
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From Los Angeles, California
. . . just wanted to share that we were in ceremony all night from sunset to sunrise
Our prayers were with you and everyone as we layed by the fire and opened with the drumming and songs amidst the urban skyline.
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From Naue, Kaua'i
(written by a kupuna in Kaua'i in anticipation of the drumming at 6pm on Nov. 7th)
Aloha,
Mahalo for the kahea! All day my spirit was being tickled like when we were children and the adults would gently tickle us . . .
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From Australia
We had a very quiet sacred time . . . . We used our clap-sticks and voice to send energy . . . .
The Owl is very important to us, I also walk with owl. For us it carries the mystery of magic, it helps us "see" in the dark. . . . So when we carry owl, anyone with hidden agenda's gets exposed to our owl sight. This really helps during this very difficult times where the darkness is trying so hard to reign supreme.
Owl is powerful medicine!
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From O’ahu
. . . As the sun lowered into the horizon my personal thoughts were on Naue and the women and children in the ground at the shoreline lele . . .
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From O’ahu
The mana of the event world -wide is awesome and is bonding the native peoples of the world. It is like the nalu of Hawai`i is touching the many shores of the lands of this world uniting everyone in spirit, brotherhood and love. What awesome mana.
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From Waianae, O'ahu
We support your good work and call for unity, we will beat our drums and ipu at six with you guys, kapoʻe o kapiko o ka aina, aloha aina! Iʻo lako aloha and mahalo piha my ohana, e ala e Kaulana Na Pua.
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From Ualaka’a, O'ahu
Tonight at 6:00 p.m., (we) . . . joined in a kukulu kumuhana to kahea, or call, our ancestors, to help us protect and preserve their landscape. Their legacy left for the mo'opuna, the future children. Participants were asked to pound their drums, blow their pu, unite in prayer and spirit to the ancestors and Creator. Originating at Hawea Heiau on O'ahu, it expanded throughout all the islands as well as Tahiti, Aotearoa, Australia, Guatemala, Mexico, Union Square in New York City, California, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado and other places including members of the Shumash and Anisnebe Tribes. (We) chose Tantalus above Manoa Valley and overlooking Leahi, or Diamond Head and Waikiki...
We brought our pahu and conch shells...
It was a little blustery and the rain moved in. We sounded the shells which echoed throughout Manoa Valley bouncing off of the walls. There was a strong gust of wind then the rain immediately stopped and it was quiet and still. A rainbow appeared. Very awesome...
Right before we started to pound the pahu at 6:00, a second rainbow appeared. Very vivid...
It landed somewhere in the direction of Hawea Heiau which was many miles away on the other side of the ridge. Hawea was a legendary pahu, or drum, brought from Kahiki and which heralded the births of high ranking ali'i at Holoholoku at sacred Wailuanuiahoano on Kaua'i and later with the companion drum, Opuku, at Ho'olonopahu at Kukaniloko Royal Birthing site on O'ahu...
When the rainbow disappeared, a massive kupuna took its place in the sky above sacred Wa'ahila Ridge in Manoa. It had a large mahiole, or crested helmet on too. It was a sign of the sacred ali'i. The kupuna to let us know that they are omnipresent. Watching. Encouraging. Strengthening us their mo'opuna. To protect all things sacred. The source of Aloha. Love. Forgiveness. Humility. Healing. For a world in desperate need. Mahalo no e Ke Akua. Mahalo no e na kupuna...
Drum for our Sacred Cultural Sites throughout Hawai'i Nei Saturday, Nov.7th, 2009 at 6pm
HAWEA HEAU - 11-7-09 - It is time to let the sound of the drums unite us from Kaua’i to Hawai’i island. It is time for us to join together to make sure our sacred cultural sites are properlyprotected and respected throughout Hawai’i nei.
On Saturday, November 7th, 2009 a group will be going to Hawea in Maunalua (Hawai’i Kai) to beat the drums for our kupuna at Hawea Heiau Complex. We will drum to let our kupuna know we honor their presence there and we will drum to let them know that we are united to work as hard as we can to make sure they, and the history they represent,will not be allowed to be erased, to be bulldozed, from the land.
And we drum to let the State Historic Preservation Department hear that throughout our islands we have lost faith in their ability to properly protect and respect our precious and priceless cultural areas.
Hawea Heiau Complex is one of multiple cultural sites throughout our islands that are right now under threat of desecration and destruction. If you would like to join the drums of Hawea, we ask you to take drums to the sacred sites in your communities on Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui, Moloka’i, Lana’i and Hawai’i. At 6pm we will start drumming at Hawea and we hope that wherever you are throughout Hawai’i nei you drum with us
. As we call to our ancestors at 6 pm we will drum until it is time for us to let our kupuna know we will be leaving. Our kupuna are with us always, in the sky, the land, the sea and in our hearts and we will fight to make sure they know we are with them and we have not forgottenhow important they are to all of us - Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian.
Aloha, Ann Marie Kirk, Liveable Hawai’i Kai Hui Chris Cramer, Liveable Hawai’i Kai Hui, East O’ahu Historian
Drum for our Sacred Cultural Sites throughout Hawai'i Nei Saturday, Nov.7th, 2009 at 6pm
Petroglyphs at the site of Hāwea heiau last year. - Photo courtesy Van James
Sacred Hāwea heiau, surroundings damaged
By Lisa Asato / Ka Wai Ola Loa
The first time Jeannine Johnson visited the site of Hāwea heiau, it was an eye-opening experience. "To my untrained eye, it just looked like there was nothing there," said Johnson, a Native Hawaiian and member of Livable Hawai'i Kai Hui, an East O'ahu community group that focuses on stewardship. "It was just trees and rocks and dirt." But, she said, she was in the company of archeologists, who explained the significance of the features around her. "And when you can touch and feel, you can feel the mana from the stones and … I still don't know how to describe it, but my heart was very heavy when I was there. It was difficult to breathe. It was a place that I knew held great sacredness."
Johnson calls recent construction work at the site, which was halted by the city for lack of permit, a desecration. She said it's as if someone "took a bulldozer and bulldozed my church."
The heiau platform as it appeared last year. - Photo courtesy Van James
The construction work – which community members say has destroyed several petroglyphs, damaged a platform and pushed debris into a wetland where endangered 'alae 'ula birds live – has sparked inquiries by the State Historic Preservation Division, which approved a preservation plan for the site, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, which was concerned that it hadn't been consulted in the process as required by law and Hawai'i Administrative Rules.
"Whenever there are properties of significance to ethnic groups, but more specifically to us as Native Hawaiians, then the Office of Hawaiian Affairs shall be consulted in these kinds of things, whenever people are applying for permits or any land usages," said Jerome Yasuhara of OHA's Native, Rights, Land and Culture Hale. He said the landowner is supposed to consult with OHA, but that SHPD should ensure that that occurs. "They're supposed to actively enforce the rules," he said.
Yasuhara described the Hāwea heiau site as a wahi kapu, a sacred place with "strong cultural connection to Kūkaniloko," the ali'i birthing site. "They're basically inextricably intertwined … cultural sites," he said.
The Hāwea heiau was among at least 15 heiau that lined the area of Maunalua Bay, and although stories differ, its name is traced to the Hāwea drum, which was brought to Hawai'i from Tahiti by La'amaikahiki.
Debris is strewn over a platform as a result of the halted construction work, says East Honolulu historian Chris Cramer. - Photo: Lisa Asato
Meanwhile, the nonprofit behind the construction said while it erred in not having the proper permit, there is no heiau at the site and that the community has not provided any archeological studies of its own to refute the approved preservation plan. Mike Klein, executive director of the property owner, the nonprofit Hawai'i Intergenerational Community Development Association, pointed to the preservation plan approved by SHPD. He said it calls only for building a wall and buffer zone to protect about 11 petroglyphs. Still, the nonprofit association feels the measures meant to protect the petroglyphs are inadequate and the nonprofit plans to propose stiffer protections to SHPD for approval, he said.
The proposal will "create a better protection for the petroglyphs yet still allow access to look at them. We have not sent that proposal into the DLNR (state Department of Land and Natural Resources) at this time," he said, adding, "We're looking at spending more money than necessary trying to protect the Hawaiian resource."
The approved preservation plan is posted on SHPD's web site, hawaii.gov/dlnr/hpd/hpgrtg.htm, under the link "Preservation Plan for Hale Ali'i Development."
Klein said his company is community-minded, having developed a senior apartments building nearby and the 40-unit Nānākuli Senior Apartments on the Leeward Coast, which charges tenants rent equal to one-third of their income. "Our organization supports Hawaiians in a big way," he said. "We support the preservation plan, and we hope to exceed the preservation plan, provided we get approval from DLNR Historic Preservation Division."
Ann Marie Kirk, a member of the community group Livable Hawai'i Kai Hui, said she and others discovered the construction work and damage in early June and "were shocked to see the bulldozing had taken place … where we as a community were led to believe (was going) to be preserved." She said they called the City and County of Honolulu and "it became clear the bulldozing was going on without permits."
Kirk became visibly upset during a subsequent site visit on Father's Day, in which she and a small group discovered that vandals apparently destroyed a petroglyph of a piko hole high atop a rock outcropping. "This is bad, this is like criminal, man," she said.
Community historian Chris Cramer noted that even a modern vandalism was scraped away. "Someone came with a sander or some type of instrument and sanded it off. You can see the cuts, they're all fresh," he said, adding that the vandalism occurred in the week before Father's Day. "Why would someone want to destroy something so old," he asked.
Ann Marie Kirk, her brother Jim Kirk, and Chris Cramer, in foreground, discover a petroglyph that had been recently vandalized at the site. - Photo: Lisa Asato
Kirk said SHPD has said Hāwea heiau is destroyed, but she described that as a misconception because the site itself is sacred – not just the walls and the petroglyphs but the land itself.
In an email, SHPD Administrator Pua Aiu said: "SHPD cannot speak to the sacredness of the site for modern practitioners. However, I think there is a misperception that because SHPD staff and other archeologists have not been able to locate the Hāwea heiau, that the site being preserved is not significant. This is not true. The petroglyph field and house site (and data recovery suggest that there are some other things) at site 2900 are extremely important, and we believe they are part of the Hāwea heiau complex. A petroglyph field in and of itself is extremely significant and worth preserving. It's unfortunate that much debate has been about whether or not a heiau was damaged, when in fact a significant site was breached."
Kirk and Cramer sent a letter to Aiu on July 9, calling for a new preservation plan to be drafted by SHPD "with the voice of cultural experts, archeologists, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, community members and other interested parties" to make sure that the heiau and its associated archeological sites be "preserved properly."
In an interview, Kirk said the community had been requesting a preservation plan for the site from SHPD since 2007 and received it days before construction started. "Had we seen this preservation plan that was given to the developer, we would have halted it and said this is unacceptable," she said. "This is the issue that SHPD has not done its due diligence in protecting Hāwea heiau. It only protects the platform" when it should protect the whole site, including walls, petroglyphs, stones arranged in a circle and other archeological features hidden under kiawe.
"What was the criteria to decide what (cultural sites) should be saved and shouldn't be saved?" she asked.
Aiu said no cultural assessment was done on the site, which is triggered only when an environmental assessment or environmental impact assessment needed to be done. Because a cultural impact assessment was not triggered, "we viewed the site in terms of the archeology that is either there or not there," Aiu said.
The area is planned as a private park in conjunction with an adjacent project by 21st Century Homes, the for-profit arm of Hawai'i Intergenerational Community Development Association. The developer's plans to build luxury condominiums on the parcel, which is near O'ahu Country Club and Costco, has stalled over a height variance.
Kirk and Cramer said it's not too late for the developer to do the right thing and preserve the site.
Kirk said she would like to see the area preserved in as much a natural state as possible and serve as a "cultural resource for the community."
"The developer has a great opportunity to give something back to the community," she said.
Developers Who Threaten Our Islands
Worst 6 of '09:
1.Tari Sri Quek Leng Chan- Owner of Guoco Leisure/ Molokai Ranch. Cut water and sewer to residents and planned to build 200 mansions even though farmers in the area have no water.
Quek Leng Chan
Net Worth $2.4 billion Age 67 Marital Status Married, 3 children Head of conglomerate Hong Leong Group Malaysia gets big part of fortune from stake in its Guoco Group, whose stock slipped 20% in the past year. In June 2007 stepped in as executive chairman of GuocoLeisure. Upped stake in U.K. casino and online gaming company Rank Group, fueling speculation that he may bid for it.
2. Joe Brescia- Kauai developer building over burials for spec houses.
3. Henry Sheldon-Haseko Hawaii attempting to destroy the best limu area on the island in Ewa for a luxury marina.
4. Mike Klein-Bulldozing into Hawea Heiau-Hawaii Kai.
5. Oaktree Capital- Trying to subdivide 700 acres of ag and culturally important lands for their hotel on the North Shore.
6. Eric Morrison/Jereremiah Henderson-Continental Pacific of Florida trying to force elderly residents into going along with their plans for mansions on Kahuku beach or they will lose their homes.
Mahalo to everyone who has contacted us regarding Hawea Heiau Complex and the wetlands below Hawea where the endangered ‘alae ula moorhens are found. Our community continues to work to make sure this sacred site will be properly preserved and protected.
Hawea Heiau is one of numerous wahi pana across our islands that are under threat of being erased from the land by the lack of proper preservation and protection by the State Historic Preservation Department.
We have informed the Administrator of the State Historic Preservation Department we do not accept the preservation plan for Hawea Heiau. Basically what the SHPD plan proposes is to preserve a small area of Hawea leaving the larger complex unprotected and open for development.
Our community is waiting to hear back from SHPD on a plan of action to address community, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, O’ahu Burial Council, Kahu O Kahiko, Livable Hawaii Kai Hui and Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center concerns.
On the bottom of this email you will find a very important survey being conducted by the National Park Service. This survey gives our statewide community a chance to voice their thoughts/opinons on how our cultural and historical sites are being cared for, and protected by, the State Historic Preservation Department. The survey is a Technical Assistance review of the State Historic Preservation Office.
What we are communicating to the National Park Service via the survey is:
1) The Administration and staff of SHPD should be properly qualified for preservation and archeological work. To be clear, SHPD should have a) recognized Hawaiian Cultural Specialists b) archeologists trained in Hawaiian archeology and c) architectural historians.
2) SHPD should no longer allow developers to hire archeologists to do reports on cultural and historical sites which SHPD then uses for assessment on whether a sacred of cultural sites should be protected. This is inherently biased. While paid for by developers involved in the specific projects, SHPD should select the archeologists/archeological firms (or have archeologists on staff) for such work. This allows SHPD to monitor and assess the type of work that is being done and to make sure their office is fulfilling the State HIstoric Preservation mandate.
3) We ultimately would like to see SHPD become an autonomous entity separate from DLNR where it has a better chance of not being influenced by political appointments or political agendas.
The NPS survey is anonymous. Your name & email address will not be revealed. Please fill it out as soon as you can and please forward it to others. Just copy and paste the survey into a new email message and email to NPS (the email address is below).
The short time you spend filling out this survey will have long term effects for our cultural and historical sites throughout all our islands.
Please forward this email to others you feel should be a part of this survey.
“It may be difficult for some to see ‘just another piles of rocks’ as a Hawaiian sacred place. One culture’s sacred places and objects will not be the same as those of another, nor will they be understood in the same way. These differences, however, do not make Hawaiian sacred places any less sacred. They are more than remnants of a distant past; they are enduring reminders of Hawaiian identity, a rich heritage left by kupuna.” Pana O’ahu Sacred Stones, Sacred Land by Jan Becket and Joseph Singer.
Aloha,
Ann Marie Kirk, Livable Hawai’i Kai Hui
Chris Cramer, East O’ahu Historian, Livable Hawai’i Kai Hui
1. What are the major successes and organizational strengths of the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Division?
2. Are there any impediments in accomplishing the preservation and protection of historic properties, including traditional cultural properties? If so, what are they?
3. What suggestions do you have to improve overall HI SHPD operations?
4. Do you feel that all HI SHPD partners work toward shared objectives? Do you feel HI SHPD resources are used effectively? If not, why?
5. Does communication flow freely or are there communications barriers within the HI SHPD that limit how information flows to the public?
6. How would you describe morale in the HI SHPD? Do you have recommendations for improvement?
7. Is there a level of comfort expressing ideas with the HI SHPD leaders? Do you think the HI SHPD leaders communicate openly with the public?
Optional: Please provide any additional comments that you might have relating to the HI SHPD.
Please send form by email to: Jaynee_Nakamura@nps.gov or mail to National Park Service, 300 Ala Moana Blvd, Room 6-226, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850.
Any identifying information will be omitted from your comments. Thank you for your input and constructive assistance.
Hawea Heiau is currently under great danger of destruction to make way for the development of a gated condominium project. As we drummed and prayed, a representative of the land owner, in coordination with his assistants, stood on the heiau platform and called the police to remove us from Hawea Heiau Complex where we were engaged in our cultural practice. So great was the mana from the prayers and drumming at Hawea that all were powerless to stop our drumming for our sacred sites throughout Hawai'i nei.
At 10:30 p.m (5:30pm Hawai'i time) . On Saturday, Nov 7, about 40 New Yorkers and a few visitors from Hawai'i gathered at Union Square, Manhattan to honor the cultural legacy of Hawea Heiau complex and to show solidarity for the efforts in Hawai'i to protect sacred sites. Organized with the help of Na 'Oiwi NYC, a student led group out of New York University, the gathering began with chants.
Various hula groups from the New York area showed up and our activities ended with several hula in honor of our ali'i and some good kanikapila and hula. It was very uplifting to see the response here in New York when the call was made to come out to show support for this cause. We felt honored to be apart of a much larger movement that was happening thoughout the world. Mahalo.
Mahalo nui i ka ho’okipa ana mai maka po nei, ua ‘ola ka ‘aina. Thank you for gathering together last evening, the land has life.
Aloha, 
