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Kaua'i iwi kupuna ruling called positive sign |
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Written by Ka Wai Ola
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Friday, 19 September 2008 |
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| In this July photo, lighted torches mark the 30 graves identified to
date on a North Kaua'i shoreline construction site. Concrete jackets
have since been poured over seven of the burials. [Click the image for
a larger view.] - Photo: OHA staff |
Kaua'i iwi kūpuna ruling called positive sign
Lisa Asato / Ka Wai Ola
A Kaua'i judge's recent ruling directing a state agency to consult various parties – as it should have already done – regarding iwi at an ongoing home development is a positive sign for Native Hawaiians, said Kai Markell, OHA's Director of Native Rights, Land and Culture.
"It means that we can still find some hope in the judicial system to address long-standing inequities in the way our people, traditions and culture is viewed by an increasingly growing population of people new to the Islands, people not familiar with those things which are integral to our well-being and ultimate perpetuation and survival," Markell said. "I am hopeful that this case will bring positive change to long-standing issues regarding the daily destruction of our most precious wahi kupuna."
On Sept. 15, Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe in an oral ruling found fault with the State Historic Preservation Division's handling of the case surrounding a lot in Naue, on Kaua'i's North Shore, saying the agency did not perform the required consultations before approving a burial treatment plan for the property containing about 30 sets of iwi.
Watanabe instructed the agency to consult with the Kaua'i-Ni'ihau Island Burial Council – which voted in April to preserve the burials in place – lineal descendants, landowner Joseph Brescia and appropriate Native Hawaiian organizations. Her ruling stopped short of halting construction on the property, where concrete jackets have been poured over seven burials. But she did say that construction would proceed at its own risk – and be subjected to the findings of the consultations.
Markell, who testified Sept. 2 at a Kaua'i hearing on the matter, said he did not expect the ruling and was "pleasantly surprised."
"While we certainly would have preferred to enjoin any further work on the burial ground, the judge was very fair in her ruling," Markell said. "I believe she, along with others involved with the case, including myself, learned a lot from the various testimonies in the court proceedings. The big question is where do we proceed from here with implementing her injunction against the state and the further deliberations by the Kaua'i-Ni'ihau Island Burial Council?"
Markell said OHA plans to monitor the agency's compliance with the judge's consultation requirements. "We also need to make sure that the process gets back on track and ensure that it doesn't get derailed again with new and existing burial cases," he said.
"Caring for our kūpuna is supposed to bring our people together and not be divisive," Markell added. "And I think it has the potential to bring people together even beyond our Hawaiian 'ohana. That is the simple but awesome power of love and forgiveness. Mahalo no e Ke Akua. Mahalo no e nā kūpuna."
The nonprofit group Mālama Kaua'i is trying to raise money to buy the lot. Brescia, the landowner, has said he would consider selling the property.
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Mayoral Debate at Hawai'i Theatre |
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Written by Blaine Fergerstrom
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Tuesday, 09 September 2008 |
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| The three top candidates for Honolulu Mayor met tonight in a sometimes-contentious debate at Hawai'i Theatre. [Click the image for a larger view.] Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom |
Mayoral Candidates Rock Hawai'i Theatre
The three top candidates for Honolulu Mayor, Panos Prevedouros, incumbent Mufi Hannemann and Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, met this evening at Hawai'i Theatre for a debate which was broadcast live on KGMB9 television.
During the 90-minute live telecast and streaming webcast, the three candidates verbally sparred on a variety of topics, many centered on mass transit and rail. The debate sometimes became contentious and personal, with candidates taking direct swipes at their opponents, while supporters from all camps cheered their favorites and often jeered others.
The debate was a joint production of KGMB9, The Honolulu Advertiser, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
The telecast may be viewed at www.kgmb9.com or www.honoluluadvertiser.com .
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| Kim Gennaula and Keahi Tucker moderated the mayoral debate at Hawai'i Theatre tonight. [Click the image for a
larger view.] Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom |
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| Supporters stood and cheered for their candidate tonight at Hawai'i Theatre. [Click the image for a
larger view.] Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom |
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| The onstage panel of experts included Jerry Burris, left, and Lee Cataluna of the Honolulu Advertiser; and Dan Boylan, political analyst for KGMB9. [Click the image for a
larger view.] Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 September 2008 )
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