Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 8, 1 August 2007 — Ahuʻena Heiau [ARTICLE]

Ahuʻena Heiau

I am writing this letter with the hope that it will clarify some misinformation that has been circulating in the conununity of Kona and throughout the state. Kulana Huli Honua is a nonprofit organization that has been utilizing space located in the King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel for the past decade. The verbal agreement made years ago was in layman's tenns: "space provided for educational tours and programs" that would share information regarding the history and culture of the Hawaiian Islands. The organization has provided most of the schools in Kona and throughout the Big Island with historical tours to Ahu'ena Heiau, Kamehameha's personal temple, and to the Kamakahonu site. It also provided schools from Maui, O'ahu, Kaua'i and Lāna'i, and several institutions of higher learning on the mainland, with educational tours. Henee the outreach of Kulana Huli Honua is very extensive. There is no set fee; however, donations are welcomed. The organization has been eonsulted many times about several wahi pana (sacred sites) throughout the state, and we network with several loeal entities in the mutual desire to enhanee the spirit of lōkahi and aloha in the conununity of Kona. Over the past 16 months, the foundation has offered free monthly programs featuring such renown scholars as Dr. Hawea Waia'u, Unele Billy Paris, Fred Oaehola, Ulalia Berman, Helene Berman, Mikahala Roy, Bobo Palacat, Gaylord Vermilliya, George Plaee, Kanoe Lake, Walter Paulo of Miloli'i, Kala Willis, Aunty Iosephine Barney, Dickie Nelson, Kealoha Pisciotta and

Aelbert Aehegma. The mission statement of Kulana Huli Honua includes: 1) Guide and support the life and care of Ahu'ena Heiau; 2) Promote the practice, study, education and preservation of Hawaiian culture; 3) To provide an archive of books and literature for all who are interested in Hawai'i's unique and rich history. I would like to invite everyone to Kulana Huli Honua to learn about the culture and the history of Ahu'ena Heiau, Kamakahonu, Kona, Hawai'i or Polynesia or to just launa (relax), read and share your history. We love Kona and Hawai'i and its people. Our phone number is 327-0123, and our hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Special appointments are available with a simple phone eall. Moana Roy Kuma Kona, Hawai'i lsland

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