Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1 Kepakemapa 1983 — PUNA CAVES [ARTICLE]

PUNA CAVES

After all the outcry about the Puna Caves, it is now apparent that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs via its Big Island Trustee, Piilani C. Desha, will be taking the lead role in securing the proper protection and usage of the caves. Three resolutions were passed on the Big Island, two by the Trustee's Advisory Councils on the Big Island (West and East) and one by the Council of the County of Hawaii. The County Resolution stated that they desire an "intensive study be made of the Puna Cave Complex" whieh would establish the "historical significance" of the sites. It also stated that the Council "recognizes that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs" has "broad mandated powers and authority to act

on behalf of the Hawaiian people." It was resolved by the County Council that OHA be urged to "establish and maintain a position of leadership in actions concerning the Puna Cave Complex." All the resolutions were accepted by the Board of Trustees and in later discussion with the Trustee members of the Culture Division, it was agreed that Big Island Trustee Piilani C. Desha would be the OHA's coordinator and that a meeting would be set up with the owners of "the religious shrine" sive to form a study panel of qualified professional scholars to study the site. The objectives of this panel would be to establish the significance of the site and recommend various ways to protect and preserve the area.