Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 3, 1 March 1996 — Community hears, responds to Hālawa Valley proposals [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Community hears, responds to Hālawa Valley proposals

by Patrick Johnston The pre-contact Hawaiian eommunities that onee lived in the Hālawa Valley and Luluku district are gone but they will not be forgotten. A mitigation and enhancement draft plan developed by PBR Hawai'i, with consultation from the Olīiee of Hawaiian Affairs and the Native Hawaiian Preservation Council has been completed and received public hearings last month. The draft lays out a comprehensive plan to preserve and protect archaeological and natural sites in the area and offers users an opportunity both to live the culture and leam about the societies that onee lived there. The document traces its roots to a 1987 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the State Historic Preservation Officer, the Federal Highways

Administration and the Hawai'i State Department of Transportation that aimed to avoid and mitigate the adverse impact of the development of the H-3 highway. The agreement required that a study be undertaken to develop a plan to preserve the historical, cultural and natural heritage of the area. The mitigation draft — whieh is just a proposal and open to revision — stresses improved access to the cultural legacy of the area. The proposal would preserve archaeological and cultural sites found on both sides of the Ko'olau mountains and provide two interpretive centers: one in North Hālawa and one in Luluku, complete with complementing trails, landscaping and interpretive signage. Two mitigation measures are involved in the plan: a preservation plan, designed to "specify sites" and determine the ideal method of preserving them; and an "interpretive development plan," one that would address the questions of access, on-site interpretation, maintenance, appropriate treātment of stmctural components, acquisition of water rights, financial responsibility and interpretive concems. Plan developers hope that preserving these sites and providing interpretive centers will help perpetuate

the skills, knowledge, and appreciation of Hawaiian agricultural technology. North Hālawa Valley The North Hālawa Valley contains archaeological resources that are largely native Hawaiian habitation and dryland agricultural sites. The agricultural uses of the area were generally small plots farmed by residents for personal use. Interpretive plan Active preservation The plan for the North Hālawa Valley includes what is termed "active preservation:" This involves preserving cultural sites, repairing archaeological features, clearing non-native vegetation, and providing an accessible interpretive display for educational and cultural purposes. An example of a site targeted for active preservation would be "Site 85," an agricultural and habitation site whieh includes small religious stmctures.

Passive preservation "Passive preservation" would leave sites untouched but would improve access by providing trails and clearing brush. Burials or other sensitive sights would be protected by keeping any improvements or signage from their vicinity. Interpretive center As part of the educational experience, an interpretive center would be built at an entry point in North Hālawa that would provide a variety of exhibits and educational materials about the valley. Luluku (Kāne'ohe Interchange) The Windward side contains important wetlands archaeological sites and a heiau. Interpretive plan Active preservation The plan for the Luluku side would include the active preservation of sophisticated terraces found in the region. The suggestion is to clear the area, provide trails and interpretation. Passive preservation Like North Hālawa, some sites would be cleared of vegetation but generally left untouched. Interpretative center Signage would be provided

detailing the agricultural and cultural history of the area as well as an interpretive center to be located adjacent to Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden. Management Overall management responsibilities for the plan would be provided by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and supported by the state Department of Transportation. Community response A series of four public meetings were held in February to allow the community an opportunity to hear the proposal and offer comment. Many at the meetings voiced eoneem about the interpretive centers, arguing that they did not want to see another state park grow out of the proposals, complete with daytripping sightseers. The point was to make a plaee for Hawaiians, not tourists. Some participants expressed eoneem about the interpretive signage, arguing that it should not be included. One suggestion was to have a house for a kahu who would provide some of the interpretation; another was to have signage that provided a variety of interpretation about an area. The important thing many said was to create a distinctly Hawaiian area, ran by Hawaiians for people with a sincere interest in the customs and traditions of the area. The focus would be the active preservation of a culture, not recreation.

The question of access was also a eoneem. Some mentioned the need for handicap access and access for religious purposes. There was eoneem that the proposed trail system would interrupt sites, bringing casual visitors into contact with those practicing traditional customs and religion. The issue of vegetation was also raised as was the respectful positioning of toilets. Given the enormous controversy that surrounded the building of the H-3, some suggested that some of the interpretation include Hawaiian opposition to the highway. Another p>oint brought up was community participation in the process of preparing the draft. Some felt that they were not included enough in the development of the plan and wanted more participation in future revisions. And many wanted to make sure OFtA followed up on the plan, creating a site that was well-managed and maintained. In response to these concems, OHA staff and trustees plan to work with the community and incorporate some of their ideas into revisions to the draft, said OHA Trustee Kīna'u Boyd Kamali'i. "We want to make something to help rebuild the Hawaiian people. ... to restore a plaee of serenity," she said.