Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 9, 1 September 1988 — OHA Board Business [ARTICLE]

OHA Board Business

By Deborcih Lee Ward, Assistant Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA

The June 23 meeting of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of T rustees on Kaua'i was held in the Lihue Library Conference Room. A number of important policy decisions were reached.

Voter Registration Plan The Board approved $6,684 from special funds for a proposal by SMS Research & Marketing Ine. to develop a plan to increase OHA voter registration in the November 1988 special OHA eleehon by 20,000, and to increase voter turnout to 80 percent of those eligible. Demographic information gained from this project will assist OHA to better plan and implement programs. The specific tasks SMS will perform as part of this project include: an analysis of current OHA voter statistics; identifying specific geographic and demographic groups with low OHA voter registration and voter turnout rates; setting realistic and measurable goals for the special eleehon; developing a marketing and implementation plan to build voter registration and tumout; and developing a workshop to train OHA liaisons and other staff to maximize voter involvement.

Native Hawaiian Fishing Rights to Bottomfish in the Northwestern and entire Hawaiian islands ehain A motion was adopted to provide a minimum of $15,000 or up to $20,000 from special funds on a 50/50 matching basis to the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council for research on "Practices and Fishing Rights of Indigenous Hawaiian Fishermen and their ancestors relating to offshore and deep-sea species." Research was scheduled to begin in August with a report eompleted in May 1989. The CounciI is looking for authentic historical evidence whieh validates giving preferential treatment to native Hawaiian fishermen for entry into the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands bottom fisheries, and harvesting of bottomfish, crustaceans, precious corals and open-oeean fish in offshore areas of the entire Hawaiian island ehain.

'O'opu Project A motion was unanimously carried to send a letter of support to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) for the 'O'opu project on Kaua'i proposed by Hawaiian Farmers of Hanalei ine. The request was made by the group's president, LaFrance Kapaka Arboleda, who is seeking the release of $37,500 of encumbered DLNR funds set aside for the study of native stream life (including the 'o'opu), and $25,000 to study the impact on stream animals of hydroelectric projects. The proposed three-year project, whose total budget is $244,835, will occur in Waipa Valley and Kiwa'a stream and other north shore areas. Its purpose is to provide needed biological data on the 'o'opu nakea (Awaous stamineus) that may assist efforts to restore the declining populations of the native goby. Additional funding is being sought from the Kaua'i County Eeonomie Development and other sources.

Maunawili Golf Course The Board voted to support a community request that no further development proceed on the proposed Maunawili Valley golf courses until an evaluation of the cultural significance of the area, especially the "kane" and "wahine" stones, ean be

conducted by knowledgeable Hawaiian cultural specialists, and until policies to protect and reflect the cultural history of the area are incorporated into plans for the golf course development. Special Election Issue The Board approved a motion to provide $10,000 from special funds to produce a separate October 1988 special election issue of Ka Wai Ola O OHA, to feature brief profiles and position statements of candidates for the OHA special election and the General Election in November.

Kukuiokane Heiau A motion was adopted to support the desires of the Windward O'ahu community and encourage an independent study of the controversial site thought to be that of the Kukuiokane heiau. The study should settle the question of the site's identity whieh reportedly is directly in the pathway of the proposed H-3 Interstate Highway, and work was to begin on portions of the H-3 project adjacent to the Kane'ohe loeahon soon, perhaps before the end of August. Bishop Museum archaeologists who have studied the site say it is an upland agricultural terrace. OHA Cultural Specialist Earl (Buddy) Neller, who is also an archaeologist, claims it is the relocated Kukuiokane Heiau. A kupuna group called Hui Malama 'Aina O Ko'olau, anthropologist Manon Kelly and historian Dr. Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa have visited the site and support Neller's elaim.

Kaua'i "Living Treasures" The Board adopted resolutions honoring two natives of Kaua'i, Gabriel I and Aunty Rachel Mahuiki as "living treasures." Copies of the resolutions were signed by OHA T rustees and presented by Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr. at a special ceremony on Kaua'i, July 24, to the two kupuna. Gabriel I was born in Hanalei in 1909 and carried on a long and productive career in education as a teacher, administrator, and a time as Kaua'i postmaster and president of the Hawaii Postmaster Association. He has kept busy in retirement as a lecturer and resource person on Hawaiian language and culture, healing practices, legends of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau and historic sites. Mrs. Rachel Nahaleelua Kamekana Ilalaole Mahuiki was born in 1913 in Wainiha, Kaua'i, in a family of eight children, and grew up in the simple, self-sufficient country lifestyle of that time. They worked hard in the lo'i kalo, caught o'opu in the streams and picked limu on the beaches of Ha'ena. From this time she was known to have the best eye for squid and a unique method for catching manini by hand.

She married Lawrence Laamaikahiki Mahuiki and together they had 10 children, seven of whom still survive. She shared her warm and loving personality and wisdom with many people, and with hanai son Kawai Cockett produced an album of Hawaiian music that reflects her joy and reverenee for life. She has been a member of the Auxiliary of the Order of Kamehameha and is currently ehaplain of the 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu in Honolulu, where she now lives. Her recognition as a "living treasure" honors her outstanding contributions to the betterment of society of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau through a sharing of Hawaiian culture and service to humanity.