Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 4, 1 April 1987 — Project Waipa on Kauai Moving Along [ARTICLE]

Project Waipa on Kauai Moving Along

Project Waipa, whieh is located just down the road from Hanalei town on Kauai, is alive and well. Ka Wai Ola O OHA recently paid a visit to Waipa to get an update from the Hawaiian Farmers of Hanalei ine. as to what kind of progress has been made since the land blessing ceremony of July 19, 1986. A lot has been done. Ka Wai Ola O OHA found La France Kapaka-Arboleda on the site where she was busy putting together some important papers. KapakaArboleda, who is president of the Farmers, shares her time between Point Barrow, Alaska, and Kauai. She and her husband, who works in Alaska, and two daughters live in the 49th state. The Farmers in May, 1986, were given a "phased lease" to the l,600-acre Waipa Valley by the Bishop Estate following a four-year struggle. This kind of lease means the organization must prove itself in 10.years. Kapaka — Arboleda reported that the beach part of the area has been cleared as well as some of the land in the valley. There have been several field trips to all the auwai. These have been basically exploratory trips and the findings have been very important to the organization's plans. The Conservation Council, a non-profit organization, has been doing soil work, mapping drainages, doing stream study and collecting rain data. The Council is made up of a group of specialists in various sciences who are very mueh interested in preservation. Kapaka-Arboleda said many lo'i terraces have been found as a result of the field trips and remnants of an old rice mill still stand intact. She added that there's a big native forest in the valley and that the Farmers will reforest and preserve the area. She noted the area was first dated in 1850 and that her group plans to totally restore the ahupua'a to be functional. Kapaka — Arboleda noted also thaf the field trips resulted in the location of many house sites. A big, rambling two-bedroom home has been eompletely repaired, windows screened and donated carpeting already laid. Other amenities include running water, shower and toilet. Kapaka-Arboleda invites Hawaiian groups to use the facility. She said the Kaahumanu Society of Hanalei meets there monthly as do the Farmers. A Big Island hula halau recently spent a weekend there. Officers of the organization are virtually the same. The office of vice president has been left vacant. Other officers are Samson Mahuiki, treasurer and David Sproat, secretary. Making up the board of directors are Warren Noe Ham Young, Allen Harada, George Kaona, William Puulei and Harry Ho who is also kupuna advisor. Gene Lum remains the attorney. He hoa ka ua no Alaka'i. The rain is a eompanion to Alaka'i. — Mary Kawena Pukui.