U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) has introduced legislation (S. 1057) authorizing the expansion of the boundaries of Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the island of Hawaii by 238 acres. These lands are adjacent to and contiguous with the park's current boundaries.
"Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park preserves a site with great significance for Native Hawaiians, students of history, archaeologists, and the people of Hawaii," Akaka noted. The 182-acre park on the Kona Coast was established in 1961 and includes the pu`uhonua and a complex of archeological areas including temple platforms, royal fishponds, holua (sledding tracks), and coastal village sites. The Hale o Keawe and several other structures have been reconstructed to provide visitors an understanding of life during the early days of the ali'i. Up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke kapu--strictly enforced ancient laws designed to protect the balance of nature--could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge or "pu`uhonua." The offender would be absolved by a priest and freed to leave. Defeated warriors and noncombatants could also find refuge here during times of battle. The grounds just outside the wall that encloses the pu`uhonua were home to several generations of powerful chiefs.
"The proposed expansion has national significance from an archaeological and historical perspective," Akaka said in a speech on the Senate floor. "The archeological resources are very important. They illustrate that the Ki`ilae village complex, with its numerous sites and features, represents one of the most complete assemblages of the coastal component of the mahina'ai (Kona field system). This system was not just an agricultural system utilized by the early Kona chiefs, it was a complex economic system that supported a dense population. Archaeological records have shown that this system allowed the Kona chiefs to become very powerful for a period of at least 200 years and most likely supported the growth and development of Kamehameha the Great's army and thereby contributed to his rise to power in the Hawaiian Islands. The cultural landscape here includes not only residential features, but also religious, agricultural and ceremonial sites."
Expansion of the park enjoys widespread support from the County of Hawaii, community leaders in Kona, and the general public. The 1977 Master Plan for the Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park originally proposed boundary expansions in four contiguous areas. Following the original master plan, in 1992 the National Park Service (NPS) conducted a feasibility study for protecting adjacent lands through boundary expansions. In August 2000, following notification of the land transaction between the McCandless Ranch and a private development corporation, the NPS prepared a special report on the proposed park expansion to include the Ki`ilae village parcel. The Service held three well-attended community meetings on the Big Island, with enthusiastic support for the expansion.
The 238-acre expansion authorized by this bill is the preferred option of the National Park Service, although additional acres could potentially be acquired. The Ki`ilae village property meets the criterion of national significance for historical and archaeological areas. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is funding an appraisal of the property, and has indicated an interest in helping facilitate the expansion of the park. The TPL financial assistance is a departure from its normal business practice, and it made the decision to commit the funds in recognition of the unique conservation values that this property presents for the Park Service.
S. 1057 was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Senator Akaka is a member of the Committee and chairman of its' Subcommittee on National Parks, Historic Preservation, and Recreation. Senator Daniel K. Inouye cosponsored the measure.
