Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 10, 1 October 1997 — Hawaiian perspectives surface at recent planning conference [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian perspectives surface at recent planning conference

By Manu Boyd LAND-USE reform, a subject of intense debate since the state land use law w as enacted, was the focus at the Hawai'i Congress of Planning Officials annual conference last month at the Hāpuna Beach Prince Hotel in South Kohala. OHA Chairman Clayton Hee and Trustees Rowena Akana, Haunani Apoliona and Hannah Springer were among the 250 participants. In an unprecedented opening ceremony, traditional protocol was illustrated by 'īlio'ulaokalani, a eoahion of kumu hula and cultural practitioners established last February. HCPO member organizations presented ho'okupu consisting of maile, 'ilima and mokihana lei, a potted 'ōhi'a plant, stalks of native kō 'ula (red eane), a koa calabash of Kanilehua rain water from Hilo, and an array of significant materials from across the state. The attention to Hawaiian traditions made an impression on the conference body and influenced discussions for the rest of the meeting. In his third year as a conference participant. Hee emphasized that Hawaiians must participate in the state's planning process. He cited the absence of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands whieh currently has 1 4 development projects on the books, and Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate, a major force in Hawai'i's economy. "Our culture is based on dignity, spirit and other human conditions. Unless there is sensitivity to reconcile Hawaiian dignity, our culture will

continue to be exploited. Why do you think those Ieaders did what they did in the opening ceremony? Hawaiians should be the cornerstone, the bedrock of discussion. We do not operate in a vacuum," said Hee. 'īlio'ulaokalani shared more native perspectives in a panel presentation with Angel Pilago of the Kohanaiki 'Ohana, OHA Trustee Hannah Springer of Ka Pa'akai o ka 'Aina, kumu hula Pualani Kanahele and Victoria Holt Takamine. The recent PASH (Public Access Shoreline Hawai'i) decision, reaffirming Hawaiian gathering rights, and legislation whieh attempted to regulate those rights, were covered. The panel stressed that developers and planners must work with the Hawaiian community in order to cultivate a mutual understanding of environmental, cultural and spiritual impact of development on our 'āina. Liabililty of landowners and the rights that eome with responsibilities were discussed. Gary Gill of the Office of Environmental Quality Con-

troI eautioned that people should be aware of measures that

exclude eommunity input in planning matters, stressing that eommu-nity-based decision making is extremely important. According to law professor M. Casey Jarman, a member of the Land Use Commission and a panelist, this year's conference was by far the most sensitive to Hawaiian issues and concerns. She sees the beginning of a "paradigm shift" because of emerging cultural forces, a re-newed commitment to political involvement among Hawaiians, and better informed planners and developers. ■

" Unless there is sensitivity to reconeile Hawaiian dignity, our culture will eonlinue to be exploited." - Clayton Hee

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