Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 8, 1 August 1988 — Kahana Valley [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kahana Valley

By Thomas K. Kaulukukui Sr. T rustee-At-Large

Earlier this year, I was appointed as the representative of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to sit on the Kahana Valley Advisory Board whieh is a policy initiating body and the primary linkage among valley residents, government agencies with interests in the valley,

neighboring communities and organizations interested in Kahana's existing and potential public recreation opportunities. Charlene Hoe, who is with the parks division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, is coordinating director of the scenic Windward valley. She recently briefed me about the extensive Kahana Valley development plan. The 1987 Legislature passed a bill whieh reads in part: The Legislature finds that the Kahana Valley State Park possesses unique historical and natural resources and persons long associated with Kahana Valley who are knowledgeable and qualified to interpret for the general public the significance of these resources for the public's benefit and enjoyment. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to authorize the Department of Land and Natural Resources to directly issue long-term residential leases to those qualified persons now residing in Kahana Valley on the condition that these qualified persons participate in Kahana Valley State Park's interpretive programs for the public. Kahana Valley State Park will be a Hawaiian cultural living park and will include: residential housing for families involved in park programs; day use areas; camping areas mauka and makai; centers of historic interest; a public trail system; a park administrative center; agricultural areas open to residents and other farmers; an interpretive program that will incorporate the skills and expertise of valley residents. Particular emphasis will be placed on an environment where Hawaiian values and culture will be embodied in a "living park" concept. Initial program activities will build on the expressed interest of valley residents. They will include all or part of the following: • Crafts demonstrations and classes. • Fishing demonstrations and classes. • Guided hunting and hiking. • Sharing of Kahana's varied cultural history. • Demonstrations and classes on canoeing and related skills and crafts. According to Mrs. Hoe, serious construction and development plans will begin as quickly as possible. She expressed optimism that some parts of the program would be implemented and in operation by 1990. Recommendations of the Kahana Valley Advisory Board are submitted directly to the Board of Land and Natural Resources for its final approval. The valley's development plan is a big challenge for the advisory board and those connected with it. The concept of a "living park" is a very exciting idea and we are glad we ean contribute to it through our position on the advisory board.