Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 4, 1 April 2010 — Reviving the significance of a 400-year-old heiau is a shared kuleana [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Reviving the significance of a 400-year-old heiau is a shared kuleana

By Kevin K.J. Chang and Kamoa Quitevis Ola I ka 'ōhulu. "Tliere is subsistence in the sprouting tubers." — 'Ōlelo No 'eau, Pukui Originally intended to own land in trust for the betterment of Hawaiian people, OHA has only recently answered the kāhea to acquire and manage land. What is contemporary Hawaiian land management? Questions abound in OHA's Resource Management and Research Lines of Business. This is especially true today at 7142 Makahū'ena Plaee, Kona moku, 'ili kūpono of Maunalua, O'ahu. Here you will find what has been described as a "small," "obscure" cultural site known as Pahua heiau. Find the address on Google Earth, drop back a bit and

see that it's surrounded by one of Hawai'i's most fully developed communities. Amid widespread development lie the roots of Maunalua, resolute and sprouting from valleys onee abundant with loko i'a (fishponds) and 'uala (sweet potato). OHA has owned Pahua for more than 20 years now, maintaining the status quo since its 1985 restoration by the Hawai'i Kai Outdoor Circle. How does Pahua heiau, surrounded by change, still exist? What was its purpose? What purpose ean Pahua play in empowering Hawaiians and strengthening Hawai'i today? "He nlnau wāhi pūniu" - it is a question that cracks the skull, something requiring deep thought and deliberation. Though mueh of Maunalua has been paved, memories, stories and the 'ano of this plaee remain in the hearts and minds of its kupa'āina, the island people of the area. The community desires to revitalize and empower Hawaiian cultural values for a more sustainable future. OHA

looks forward to working with the people of Maunalua and Hawai'i nei to collectively answer and act on some of these questions. So what is contemporary Hawaiian land management? Our community is in deep dialogue about this. One thing is certain. In Hawaiian resource management people are integral to the ecosystem. In the past, the foundation of this approach was bolstered by underlying values that emphasized a balanced and reciprocal relationship with the islands' limited resources. Not just a system, these values were found within the people themselves. Like our greater community, OHA too is in the process of integrating concepts of sustainability and bridging ancient and future land-use patterns, including the amorphous "Hawaiian sense of plaee." How do we empower the heritage of Hawaiian people to inHuenee 'āina thinking, promote a sustainable lifestyle and build

a stewardship ethic and love for Hawai'i in all island people? At the core of OHA's new strategic plan, we strive for results, including among others: 1) Achieve Pae'āina Sustainabiiity: increased percentage of ka pae'āina of Hawai'i managed to preserve cultural and natural resources and historic properties, and/or provide social, cultural opportunities for Native Hawaiians in a sustainable and balanced manner. 2) Vaiue History and Culture: increased percentage of all Hawai'i residents who appreciate and value Native Hawaiian history and culture as a basis for residing in Hawai'i. 3) Participate in Cultural Activities: increased percentage of Native Hawaiians participating in cultural activities, interacting with the 'āina for cultural, spiritual, religious and subsistence purposes. Our approach, a hybrid of sorts, adjusts to the landscape's diversity and considers the tangible and intangible assets of land and plaee. In bringing people to land, we are conducting our cultural due diligence, gathering the human voices of the landscape. On Feb. 25, at a meeting hosted by the community, we began a process of asking questions and seeking input to help OHA enhanee the intangible treasures Pahua holds. Mueh of the answers lie with the latent power and potential found within the hearts of Hawaiian and kupa'āina people. If you have information on Pahua heiau, please contact us at kevinc @ oha.org and/orkamoaq@oha.org.We are interested in hearing fromyou. ■ Kevin KJ. Chang is Land Manager of OHA's Land and Property Management Program. As a 2009 TogetherGreen fellow, he is working to revive the significance of Pahua hei.au to inspire di.alogue among i.slanders about thei.r ti.es to the land. Kamoa Qui.tevis i.s a Research Analyst i.n OHA 's Land, Culture and Hi.ston Program.

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AREA 0F ŪEĪAIL M °'ahu H 7142 Makahū'ena Plaee, y ■ ■■ Kona moku, 'ili kūpono of Maunalua, O'ahu ^

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