Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 7, 1 July 2003 — Audubon assumes management of Waimea Valley, plans focus on ecology, culture, education [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Audubon assumes management of Waimea Valley, plans focus on ecology, culture, education

By Derek Ferrar On June 26, the National Audubon Society officially assumed management of 0'ahu's Waimea Valley park, ushering in a new era for the l,875-acre park, whieh has long been operated primarily as a visitor attraction. "We don't see this as an entertainment-oriented tourist attraction anymore," says Audubon's Waimea project manager, loeal nature educator Diana King. "Instead, it's going to be a cultural, ecological and educational experience for everyone." In 2001, the City and County of Honolulu moved to acquire Waimea through condemnation, after the park's previous owner placed it in bankruptcy. Several months ago, the city awarded a 30-year, $l-per-year management contract to Audubon, an international conservation group that plans to run the site as one of its network of Audubon Centers, devoted to "getting people out into nature and helping them create positive, lasting experiences." Many of Audubon's goals for the valley involve long-term projects — such as protecting archaeological features, replanting native forest and developing a cultural and environmental learning center — but some changes will be immediately visible. For one thing, Audubon has lowered admission rates from $25 to $5 for adult residents, and $8 for visitors. With its emphasis on self-guided immersion in nature, Audubon has also ended the park's longstanding cliff-diving and hula shows, as well as tram rides to the falls and other activities. For the moment, however, Audubon's tenure in Waimea remains tenuous, since permanent title to the valley is still unresolved. The city's $5.1 million condemnation price has been challenged by the previous owner, New York financier Christian Wolffer, and a court trial on the matter starts July 7. If the court rules that the valley's fair market value is higher than the condemnation price, the property could revert to Wolffer, and Audubon's lease would be void. Until the condemnation case is resolved,

Audubon's management contract is on month-to-month terms. Honolulu City Councilman Romy Cachola has said that onee the condemnation issues are resolved, he would like to see the Office of Hawaiian Affairs purchase the valley from the city. In 1991, when the city first took possession, OHA's Board of Trustees voted to explore acquisition of the valley, but any new action on the matter would have to be re-examined by the current board. OHA has published a "Cultural Vision Statement" for the valley that includes surveys and preservation of historic sites, propagation of the existing Hawaiian gardens, re-introduction of native species and the use of the valley as a "hands-on, life-long education center for

students of all ages studying Hawaiian anthropology, history, culture, language, biology and wayfinding." "Waimea is one of the few places, particularly on O'ahu, where it's possible to experience a virtually intact ahupua'a," says at-large Trustee John Waihe'e IV, who has advocated having OHA purchase the valley for the city's $5.1 million price. "It's a plaee that is not only special to Hawaiians, but non-Hawaiians from anywhere ean easily see how important it is." If OHA were to purchase the valley, terms of the city contract would require that Audubon's 30-year-lease would remain in effect. Whether or not that comes to pass, says King, Audubon is hoping that OHA will be part of the valley's cultural steering committee. n

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Waimea Valley under Audubon's care will enjoy protection of its archaeological sites and native forest and will becomethe site of a cultural and environmental leaming center. Photo: scott Foster & Associates