Aloha `Aina

He Kähea

A Call

The DRAFT Kaho`olawe Land Use Plan is ready for public review and comment. Highlights of the plan and issues to consider are discussed in this newsletter. Complete copies of the plan are available for your review at the regional public libraries, all UH system libraries, the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) Office at 33 South King Street, Room 403, and PBR Hawai`i.

Please take the time to attend the special viewing of the 1992 video, "Kaho`olawe: Aloha `Äina" and the public meeting on your island to review and discuss the draft plan. Comments about the Draft Use Plan may be presented in writing or orally at the meetings. All other comments should be submitted in writing no later than July 26, 1995 to KIRC. The schedule of viewings and meetings is on the last page of this newsletter. For more information call KIRC at 586-0761 or Lisa Imata, PBR Hawaii at 521-5631.

The video showing is sponsored in part by the Hawai`i Committee for the Humanities, a Public Program of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

`Ölelo Mua

Preface to the Draft Kaho`olawe Use Plan

Kaho`olawe and Aloha `Äina are two words that have become synonymous in Hawai`i because of the vision and commitment of Hawaiians and their supporters, who were determined to "stop the bombing" and bring life back to the island of Kaho`olawe.

Imua Nä Pua, Lanakila Kaho`olawe

May 7, 1994 marked the dawn of a new era in Hawai`i; a renewed life for Kaho`olawe and for Hawai`i's native culture. On this day, Kaho`olawe and its surrounding waters were returned to the people of Hawai`i by the U.S. Government. This return and the acceptance of a management regime based upon the Hawaiian concept of aloha `äina reflect a growing mood among all of Hawai`i's people for a return to appropriate values for island living.

Kükulu Ke Ea A Kanaloa

Now begins a new challenge for all of Hawai`i's people . . . to begin the effort to "re-establish" the life and spirit of Kaho`olawe and its surrounding waters. The purpose of the Land Use Plan is to identify a vision and the complementary uses and activities which will bring about this transformation within the context of contemporary Hawai`i.

Kaho`olawe: A Cultural Reserve

In 1993, the Hawai`i State Legislature passed Chapter 6K Hawai`i Revised Statutes which established the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve to include the island of Kaho'olawe and the submerged lands and waters extending seaward two miles from its shoreline. Under law, the specific uses for Kaho`olawe are as follows:

[6k-3] Reservation of uses. The Kaho`olawe Island reserve shall be used solely and exclusively for the following purposes:

1. Preservation and practice of all rights customarily and traditionally exercised by native Hawaiians for cultural, spiritual, and subsistence purposes;
2. Preservation and protection of its archaeological, historical, and environmental resources;
3. Rehabilitation, revegetation, habitat restoration, and preservation; and
4. Education

Chapter 6K also provides for eventual transfer of the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve to the sovereign native Hawaiian entity as follows:

[6K-9] Transfer.

Upon its return to the State, the resources and waters of Kaho`olawe shall be held in trust as part of the public land trust; provided that the State shall transfer management and control of the island and its waters to the sovereign native Hawaiian entity upon its recognition by the United States and the State of Hawai`i.

Issues To Consider

Does the plan fulfill the purposes of the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve? Does the plan adequately protect the natural and cultural resources of the island for future management by a sovereign Hawaiian entity?

Planning Vision

The Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission has adopted a vision for the long-term future of Kaho`olawe and its surrounding waters. It is as follows:

• The kino of Kanaloa is restored. Forests and shrublands of native plants and other biota clothe its slopes and valleys. Pristine ocean waters and healthy reef ecosystems are the foundation that supports and surround the island.
• Nä po`e Hawai`i care for the land in a manner which recognizes the island and ocean of Kanaloa as a living spiritual entity. Kanaloa is a pu`uhonua and wahi pana where Native Hawaiian cultural practices flourish.
• The piko of Kanaloa is the crossroads of past and future generations from which the Native Hawaiian lifestyle spreads throughout the islands.

  Issues To Consider

  Do you support this statement? Should this be the vision for the future of Kaho`olawe? What would you add? What would you change?

  Highlights of the Draft Kaho`olawe Land Use Plan

  Kahua Kauhale (primary cultural and educational centers)

  • These are centers where the kahu (steward of the land and cultural master) would reside with his or her family and where apprentices, students and other visitors would spend most of their nights.
  • Four kahua kauhale are proposed: at Hakioawa, Kuheia, Honokanai`a, and Kealialalo.
  • The facilities in each kahua kauhale will include: a water source, storage and delivery system, including desalinization units at the three bays; sleeping areas; a central kitchen; a central gathering area; imu; fireplace for outdoor cooking; waste storage and disposal system; garden; planting areas; storage sheds; solar electric and propane utilities backed up by a small generator; buoy moorings in the bays; helipads; hälau and pä wa`a; and permanent house for the kahu and his or her family.

  Kahua Ho`omoana (overnight campsites)

  • Areas for overnight cultural and subsistence experiences.
  • Sixteen ho`omoana are proposed at: Keanakeiki, Kaukaukapapa, Honokoa, Makaalae, Ki`i, Ahupu, Kaukamoku, Papakaiki, Lae O Ku`iku`i, Kealialuna, Moa`ulaiki, Halona, Kaka, Iliililoa, Kamohio (mauka), and Wiliwilipe`ape`a.
  • Facilities in ho`omoana will include: a lua, a pä`wa`a, an imu and outdoor fireplace, a storage shed, and a potable water source where appropriate. In most areas, overnight campers would be expected to bring their own water.

  Ho`ola Hou (revegetation/soil stabilization areas)

  • The KIRC will develop a special plan for restoration of the island's natural resources. It will propose specific projects for each `ili.
  • The critical areas for restoration are the uplands, especially the hardpan, and the heads of the gullies in each of the `ili.
  • Restoration will aim at providing erosion control; soil conservation; revegetation; and subsurface recharge. Projects will include stream diversions, settling ponds, check dams, down slope reservoirs, terracing, climatological monitoring stations, irrigation, and planting of native grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees.

  Kihapai Ho`oulu/Punawai (nurseries/reservoirs)

  • Natural water collecting areas in the uplands will be used for nurseries and reservoirs.
  • Six areas are designated: the five craters at Lua Makika, Kealialuna, near Pu`u Moiwi, Kealialalo, Pu`u Kamama, and one near the cistern outside of Honokanai`a.

  Mahi`Ai (agricultural areas)

  • Planting areas dependent upon restoration and availability of rain, dew, or irrigation.
  • Four areas are identified: around Lua Makika, between Moa`ula and Pu`u Moiwi, the valleys of Kaulana, and Ahupu

  Kula (open lands)

  • Areas not designated for other uses will be revegetated with native plants.

  Kai Lawai`a (fishing/ocean gathering areas)

  • Fishing and ocean gathering for subsistence, cultural, and educational purposes along the shoreline and the nearshore areas, except within the marine sanctuaries.

  Kai Kapu (marine sanctuaries)

  • Sanctuary areas for marine animals to regenerate.
  • Two kai kapu are: from the shore out to Black Rock (west) and Kanapou Bay (east).
  • The shoreline will remain unimproved and there will be no fishing or gathering.

  Na Mea Kanu/Na Holoholona A Me Na I`a (botanical/wildlife preserves)

  • Habitats for rare flora and fauna on the island will be protected from human disturbance, fire, and invasive flora and fauna.
  • Four areas are designated: at Pu`u Koa`e and `Ale`Ale; from Honokanai`a to Lae O Kealaikahiki; from Keanakeiki to Kaukaukapapa; at Kaukamoku.
  • Land requirements include buffer zones, fire breaks, and monitoring platforms.

  Kahua Kahiko (cultural/historical preserves)

  • A cultural preserve for future generations to experience first-hand, the unaltered places of Hawaiian ancestors.
  • One area identified at Honokoa.
  • Human activity will be controlled and there will be no improvements except for site protection and stabilization.

  Na Alanui/Na Ala Hele (roads and trails)

  • The existing road will be extended for purposes of restoration, fire control, access, and monitoring. A trail around the entire island along the shoreline and the coastal cliffs will be cleared. Mauka-makai trails will link the shoreline with the main mauka road.
  • The existing road will be extended in six new directions: toward Hakioawa, around the base of Lua Makika; to Lae O Halona and Lae O Kaka; to Iliililoa; to Wiliwilipe`ape`a; to Kuheia Bay; and to above Honokoa. The road to just above Ahupu will be improved. The road from Honokanai`a to Keanakeiki will be improved.
  • New mauka-makai trails will link the main road and shoreline with: Makaalae, Ki`i, Honokoa, Ahupu, Ahupuiki, Papakaiki, Pu`u Kolekole, Kalua o Kamohoali`i, Kanapou, Halona, Kamohio, and Kaneloa.

  Ka Wai (water sources)

  • Three existing cisterns at Ahupu, Kuheia, and Honokanai`a to be restored for use.
  • Three new desalinization units will be installed at the kahua kauhale at Honokanai`a, Hakioawa, and Kuheia
  • Seventeen water catchment tanks are proposed.

  Issues To Consider

  Are these the primary longterm uses for the island? Are there too many uses? too few? What would you add or change? Are the uses appropriate for the proposed sites? Are there too many sites being opened? too few? Are there too many roads and trails? too few? What sites/areas would you add or change? Will these proposed uses fulfill the vision for the island as a cultural reserve?

  Guiding Principles of Land Use

  Issues To Consider

  Kaho`olawe is a cultural reserve being held in trust by the State of Hawai`i for eventual transfer to a sovereign Hawaiian entity. What are the appropriate principles to guide management and use of the island?

  The following principles guided the preparation of the Draft Use Plan.

  `Ike Papalua - The plan was developed by learning from the land, the ocean, and the experience and knowledge of Hawaiian ancestors who originally settled the island. It acknowledges the inspiration and insight gained from physical observances and from those feelings perceived from spiritual awareness.

  Ka `Äina, Ke Kai, A Me Ka Lewa - Uses of the land and ocean are interconnected and inseparable. Changes on the island impact upon the surrounding ocean. The atmosphere above Kaho`olawe impacts upon the landscape.

  Ka Wai - Fresh water is the most important component in planning for land uses. Development of water sources, storage, and delivery systems for planned uses and activities on the island is a priority.

  `Ili Concept - Hawaiian `ohana settled and utilized the resources of an island from the ocean up to the mountains. For the purpose of planning, the island was divided into 8 `ili units encompassing natural watersheds, valley bottoms, and embayments, running from the ocean to the central spine of the island. Ridge lines are used to distinguish the boundaries of each unit. The proposal is to conduct the clean up `ili-by-`ili, from the ocean up to the pu`u included within that `ili.

  Ho`olohe I Nä Küpuna/Ho`olohe I Ka `Äina - Through chants, place names, archaeological, and historical records, past residents or kupuna, we can gain guidance on present and future uses.

  Aloha `Äina - Hawaiians understood that the role of humans is to care for the land, not to just use the land. Underlying this plan are the traditional Hawaiian principles of land management and stewardship. These include the virtue of sharing and not taking too much, and a holistic perspective of organisms and ecosystems that emphasizes balance and coexistence.

  Ho`ola Hou (Environmental Restoration) - Healing and "regreening" the island, or restoring its cultural and natural resources is essential and is the underlying goal of this plan.

  E Ho`omälamalama Hou Ana Ka Mauli Ola (Cultural Restoration) - In modern Hawai`i, Kaho`olawe serves as the foundation for the revitalization of Hawaiian cultural, religious, and subsistence practices. These uses and activities will continue and are to be factored into the management and stewardship of the island.

  Protect Kaho`olawe `Ohana/Fund
  P.O. Box 39
  Kaunakaka`i, Hawai`i 96748

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