Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 10, 1 October 2016 — The future of Wao Kele o Puna [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The future of Wao Kele o Puna

By Office of Hawaiian Affairs Staff The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has begun the planning process for a Comprehensive Management Plan for Wao Kele o Puna. Wao Kele o Puna is a culturally and historically significant sacred area, encompassing 25,689.5 acres of low-land rainforest in east Hawai'i. The dense native forest is known to

be home to many akua and a rich resource for traditional Hawaiian hunting and gathering practices. A complex cave system was onee used for burials, temporary habitation and transportation. But the forest is not without issue. The predominantly 'ōhi'a/uluhe forest is being affected by Rapid 'Ōhi'a Death, invasive species, the occasional lava llows and other

issues that pose a threat to forest heahh. In 2006, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) acquired title to Wao Kele o Puna as part of a joint effort initiated by the Pele Defense Fund and others to prevent geothermal development in the forest. The acquisition helps to fulfill OHA's mission by contributing to the maintenance of Hawai'i's natural and cultural resources, and protecting the exercise of traditional and customary rights. OHA has retained Forest Solutions Ine. to collaboratively prepare a Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) to guide the future management of WKOP. The CMP will embrace modern day scienee, technology and proven best practices in conservation through a Native Hawaiian cultural perspective. The Plan is envisioned to provide a culturally competent stewardship framework to protect, preserve, enhanee and perpetuate the cultural and natural resources of Wao Kele o Puna for current and future generations. A key element of the plan includes gathering a wide range of community input through-

out the planning process. Community consultation began in 2014, when Kumupa'a Cultural Resource Consultants, LLC, conducted an ethnographic study to help document the unique history and traditions of WKOP. For community participants, the top recommendation was the proper preservation and safekeeping of the forest to ensure it ean be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations. Community-based, culturally appropriate management practices were also highly recommended. Since that time, OHA has formed an 'Aha Kūkākūkā Advisory Couneil, a diverse group of subject matter experts, community leaders, and cultural practitioners. The purpose of the 'Aha is to advise OHA and OHA's consultants throughout the remainder of the planning process. OHA will be providing periodic updates on the planning process through Ka Wai Ola and other media outlets. As OHA moves forward, additional community input will be solicited. A puhlie meeting will also be held in Puna to discuss the draft plan. Questions or comments regarding the CMP process for Wao Kele o Puna ean be forwarded to Pua Ishibashi via email at puai@oha. org. ■

Wao Kele o Puna - Photo: Ama Johnson