Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 1987 — OHA Chairman Hails Significant Event [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Chairman Hails Significant Event

Historic Beqinnina inLuluku Aareement Siqninq

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr. and State Transportation Director Edward T. Hirata on July 28 signed a formal "Memorandum of Agreement" relating to the H-3 highway project. Also present was William Lake of the Federal Highways Administration who signed the Memorandum of Agreement earlier. State Land Board Chairman William Paty has also approved the accord.

Keale, signing on behalf of the OHA Board of Trustees, called the occasion "an historic beginning for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs," and said that by the terms of the agreement the historic Luluku area of Windward Oahu will be preserved "for ourselves and future generations.". Keale said the agreement signed by Hirata "signals what we hope will be a continuing spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between our two agencies." This Memorandum of Agreement — called an "MOA" for short — is the first of three that OHA will be announcing in the coming weeks.

As required by the "National Historic Preservation Act," federal law mandates that every effort be made to either avoid or mitigate harm to sites whieh are listed on or eligible for the "National Register ofHistoric Places." Late last year, the keeper of the National Register declared that the Luluku Discontiguous Archeological District was eligible as a significant historic area. This native Hawaiian lo'i (or agricultural terrace) is the largest known on the island of Oahu. By the terms of this "MOA," Luluku will be protected. As provided in this agreement: 1. The Kane'ohe interchange ramp and loop will now be designed to avoid and go around the terraces; 2. The State will acquire the land within this loop as public property and assure that Luluku is preserved; 3. Over the next two years, in consultation with OHA, an interpretative park concept and design will be developed to restore Luluku as a living lo'i. Also included in the agreement are additional protections for: 1. A "burial plan" by OHA to assure dignified and respectful treatment if Hawaiian graves are discovered;

2. A pre-construction educational program for the project workers to alert them to the sensitivity and importance of their role in helping preserve historic sites; and

3. Dispute resolution and amendment provisions whieh allow settling any disagreements associated with this project through negotiation rather than going to court. At the signing ceremony, Keale said: "This is the 'Year of the Hawaiian.' Our rallying eall for 1987 is 'Ho'olako.' This recognition of the mutual enrichment we — Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian alike — enjoy from the

Hawaiian culture is symbolized in this agreement. "It is vital to assure a plaee for the past in our everyday lives, and in the lives of our mo'opuna. Luluku is a treasure we will cherish today and protect for our tomorrow.

"Consistent with this commitment, OHA believes that all governmentally-approved or funded actions whieh affect culturally significant native Hawaiian sites should include mitigation programs. Like the American Indians, we hope to pursue explicit inclusion in the National Historic Preservation Act, and in all similar preservation efforts at the state and county levels."

An historic agreement between the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and State and Federal agencies is marked at this press conference. Moses K. Keale Sr., OHA Chairman of the Board of Trustees, announces the pact. Looking on at left is Edward Hirata, director of theState Department of Transportation. At right is William Lake of the Federal Highways Administration. The signing took plaee in the OHA conference room in Honolulu.