Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 9, 1 September 2016 — Waimea Valley celebrates 10 years of mālama ʻāina [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Waimea Valley celebrates 10 years of mālama ʻāina

By Francine Kananionapua Murray

A t the 10th / \ Anniversary / \ Pūlama Cel-

# \ ebration in Waimea Valley in / *August it was announeed that the last privately owned pareel of land in the valley - Pu'ukea, a sacred plaee rich in history and culture - will be acquired by the end of 2016. Gratitude and deep appreciation was expressed for those who donated and fundraised so that the purchase could be made to ensure the last intact ahupua'a on O'ahu is preserved in perpetuity for future generations. For many, protecting and preserving the human, cultural and natural resources of "the Valley of the Priests," on the north shore of O'ahu has been a sacred kuleana, an ongoing privilege and responsibility for as long as they ean remember. Signs of a vibrant history ean be seen throughout the ahupua'a with several fishing shrines along the valley entrance, burial caves on the steep valley walls, hale (house) foundations, agricultural terraces and two large heiau (temples) - 0'ahu's largest heiau Pu'u o Mahuka, and Kūpōpolo on the Wailua side of the river. In the past, the threat of development loomed like a dark cloud over the sacred valley, especially in 2001, when thenowner of Waimea Valley Adventure Park and Sea Life Park filed bankruptcy after decades of the Park operating in the red. That year the Honolulu City Council stepped up and made its first move toward puhlie acquisition. In 2006 OHApurchasedall 1,875 acres of Waimea Valley for $14 million, except for Pu'ukea, through a partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, the State of Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources, the United States Army, The Trust for Puhlie Land, and the National Audubon Society, who managed the valley until 2008.

Later the non-profit Hi'ipaka LLC was formed by OHA to manage

Waimea Valley. "It was a lot of hard work," said Richard Pezzulo, Executive Director of Waimea Valley. "To make it succeed it took planning, getting everybody focused and working as a team, good management practices, marketing, and understanding that our mission is more than just making money. It's taking care of the valley." Highlights over the past decade include increasing the number of daily visitors from about 500 in 2008 to over 950 average in 2016, green upgrades like solar panels, hydro turbines, and LED lighting, improvements to infrastructure and facilities, achieving operational sustainability, and self-funding operations capital for improvement projects and equipment since 2013. "One of the things I'm most proud of is getting the Kauhale restored," said Pezzulo. "Because it's the heart and soul of the valley." A kauhale is a traditional Hawaiian living complex, and this is one of the last intact sites. "It's our attempt to shift the focus from the waterfall, to more of the cultural aspects of the valley." Thanks to many individuals and organizations Waimea Valley onee again thrives as a wahi pana, a legendary plaee regarded with great reverence, respect, spirituality and traditions, as well as a world-re-nowned botanical treasure touting a new lei garden, a new 4,800 square-foot nursery, a world-class hybrid hibiscus garden and conservation of over 15 acres of native forest. "When people visit they leave feeling rejuvenated not just because the walk to the waterfall was so beautiful," explained Pezzulo. "It's also what they are feeling. It's the overall experience, because it's a very special plaee." ■

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