Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 35, Number 7, 1 July 2018 — Kūkaniloko master planning mid-point update [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kūkaniloko master planning mid-point update

Aeommuni- | ty-based working group is refining a management plan - that balances | useofOHA's ■ Wahiawō lands | with protection I of the sacred I Kūkaniloko birthingstones. - | Photo: OHA Land B Division

By Office of Hawaiian Affairs Staff n 2012, OHA acquired 51 1 acres of agricultural land surrounding a five-acre parcel containing the Kūkaniloko Birthstones in Wahiawā, O'ahu; a portion of =ī| the former Galbraith Estate. As the sacred birthplace of many of Hawai'i's renowned ali'i, OHA must ensure its use of the lands surrounding Kūkaniloko are eompatible with the cultural significance of the site. To achieve this objective, in 2016, OHA began a two-year process to create a Kūkaniloko Master Plan (KMP). The KMP is being informed by a wide range of expert and community input from a 10-member, community working group, other targeted stakeholders and open puhlie meetings. Most recently, on May 24, 2018, OHA held a second puhlie meeting at the Wahiawā District Park and presented to 32 attendees about the planning progress thus far. Attendees were given the opportunity to review a mind map of the major proposed components for the Plan, whieh are centered around three guiding principles: Ho'omana - to understand, care, and be inspired by the life, function and resources of this sacred plaee. Ho'ona'auao - to safeguard, enhanee and amplify Hawaiian

cultural knowledge. Ho'oulu 'Āina - to inspire and be inspired by the growth of land and people. Community members were allowed to ask questions and provide comments to OHA, its contractors and members of the community working group. OHA intends to consider this additional input as it moves towards the completion of the KMP in August 2018. When the KMP is complete, OHA will conduct a hnal round of community engagement, whieh, along with targeted stakeholder meetings, will include a third puhlie meeting. Information regarding future meetings and the conclusion of the Master Plan process will be made available on OHA's website. ■

Many of Hawai'i's ali'i were born at Kūkaniloko. - Photo: Koi Markell