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 developer before 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?

Aloha

annmarie@hawaii.rr.com


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The bulldozing and desecration of Hawea Heiau in Maunalua (Hawai'i Kai)





Aloha,

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?


What's going on right now?

1. City & County Level
An inspector from the Department of Permitting and Planning was at Hawea Heiau Monday morning, June 15th, investigating possible violations by the developer. The hope is to have citations and a Stop Work Order served to the developer if violations have occurred.

2. State Level
DLNR was at Hawea Heiau Monday morning, June 15th, with archeologists to see what has been done by the developer. We will find out what their observations are and what actions they will be taking to stop what is happening.

3. State Historic Preservation Dept. (SHPD)
A request was put into SHPD in 2007 by our community for a copy of the agreement between their office and the developer regarding the lands of Hawea Heiau.
The community has never received a copy of this agreement. I put in a request last Wednesday for a copy of the agreement. I was told by SHPD the developer was supposed to have provided the community with the agreement. I hopefully will be receiving a copy on Tuesday, June 16th. The agreement needs to be reviewed by cultural experts, archeologists, and community members to make sure SHPD has clear documentation that Hawea Heiau will be properly protected.

4. Army Corp of Engineers Regulatory Branch
They were contacted on Monday morning, June 15th, by Chris Cramer. The Corp communicated to Chris that the wetland at Hawea, where there are endangered 'alae 'ula birds, does not fall under their permit requirements and jurisdiction. They recommended contacting US Fish and Wildlife.

5. OHA
Kai Markell, Director of Native Rights, Land and Culture and Kevin Chang, Conservation Land Manager, are aware of the situation and are finding ways to help the community. Kai and Kevin have been tremendously helpful and our community hopes to be in continued contact with OHA for their help and guidance.

6. O'ahu Burial Council
Mahalo to all the different individuals from the Burial Council who have contacted Chris Cramer and I. In a most distressing time, your emails and calls of support and advice have filled our community with hope on what actions to take. We know from previous studies and the work & photos of Jan Becket that there are iwi present at Hawea. The continued guidance of the Burial Council is most appreciated.

What can we all do now?

Contact the people below to let them know the destruction at Hawea Heiau needs to be stopped immediately.

Laura Thielan, Chairperson DLNR
dlnr@hawaii.gov

Pua Aiu, Administrator
State Historic Preservation Division
pua.aiu@hawaii.gov
Ph: 692-8015

Nancy McMahon, Deputy Administrator
State Historic Preservation Division
Nancy.A.McMahon@hawaii.gov

Governor Linda Lingle
governor.lingle@hawaii.gov

Mayor Hannemann

Rep. Lyla Berg, Rep. East O'ahu

Sen. Hee, Hawaiian Affairs Chair in the Senate

Rep. Mele Carroll, Hawaiian Affairs Chair the House

Mahalo

Mahalo to all of you who are sending emails out to other community members to let them know what's happening.
And mahalo for contacting the government people listed above asking them to assist in stopping the destruction of Hawea Heiau.


Any thoughts and guidance anyone has to offer is most appreciated. Chris Cramer and I will do the best we can to make sure we continue to keep everyone in the loop
about what is happening at Hawea Heiau.

Aloha,
Ann Marie Kirk

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