Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 10, 1 October 1987 — MOA Gives Mayor 'Chicken Skin' [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MOA Gives Mayor 'Chicken Skin'

Kona Agreement with OHA Termed'Most Sweeping"

By Linda Kawai'ono Delaney Land Officer When the signing ceremony was complete, Big Island Mayor Dante Carpenter turned to Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr., and smiled: "Now I know why they eall a Memorandum of Agreement a 'moa' — I just got 'ehieken skin' thinking about what this agreement represents." The latest in a series of external agreements negotiated with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, this MOA addresses the possible harmful effects whieh could aecompany the realignment of Ali'i Drive along the Big Island's Kailua-Kona Coast. First proposed nearly 12 years ago, the $10 million joint federal-county highway project will affect nearly three miles of roadway beginning near Hulihe'e Palaee and extending past Keauhou. This route also crosses the Kahalu'u Historic District — an area known for its rich concentration of native Hawaiian archaeological sites. Already reserved for preservation and protected are four heiau and the Ohia burial cave. The cave has been sealed to assure the continued peaee of the graves, and extraordinary design changes have been adopted to bridge the cave. Commenting on the proposal realignment project, T rustee Keale noted that: "Like everyone else who lives in Kona, Hawaiians want and need improvements on Ali'i Drive. Clearly, the community has out-grown the existing highway, and the projected realignment will ensure a safer and better transportation system."

But Keale added: "We must achieve this objective with a recognition of those elements whieh make Kona the beautiful area it is for Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian alike: a plaee of historical importance honored by tradition, and a plaee where history is being made, enhanced by the latest in technologies." Reflecting the increasing public confidence and recognition of OHA as a responsible advocate for native Hawaiian interests in such projects, the Ali'i Drive Agreement is the most sweeping thus far in its explicit acknowledgement of Office participation. Among the provisions detailed in the MOA are: 1. OHA shall be consulted in the formulation of the phased Identification and Treatment Plan for the preservation, protection, and disposition of native Hawaiian sites and burials affected by this project; 2. OHA shall receive copies of all final archaeological reports, including those with sensitive loeahonal and significance information; 3. OHA shall be consulted in the development of a pre-construction educational program of the project workforce to assure their knowledgeability and sensitivity to the presence of sites and possible human burials; 4. OHA shall, in consultation with interested and affected persons "with cultural and traditional ties to the features or to the land," prepare a Burial Treatment Plan within six months after the conclusion of this MOA. All costs associated with the implementation of this plan shall be borne by the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) and the County of Hawai'i; and 5. OHA may, as necessary, raise objections about the implementation of this MOA. As amplified in the accompanying series of attachments to the MOA, the Office is also empowered to develop and coordinate "Oral History Plans" to enhanee the archaeological research of the project and to assure that the cultural significance of this area is recorded. The gains made in this MOA are enormous. As Mayor Carpenter said, just thinking about it cause

"ehieken skin." But the obligations and responsibilities asserted by OHA in this MOA cannot be achieved simply in the Office. We need your help, too.

If you know family stories about this area — contact us. If you believe family burials may be affected by this project — eall us. Just phone 946-2642, and ask for the Lands Officer. Agreed?

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee and Board Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr., right, beams happily as he watches an equally delighted Hawaii Mayor Dante Carpenter sign MOA.

This is busy Ali'i Drive in Kailua, Kona, along the seawall whieh is to be realigned mauka to relieve congestion.

The new Ali'i Highway in Kona, may be built in this general area, away from its present congested loeahon.