Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 12, 1 December 1987 — $5 Million Pledged in Agreement [ARTICLE]

$5 Million Pledged in Agreement

MOA Reached on Lana'i Historic Preservation

By Linda Kawai'ono Delaney Land Officer The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees has unanimously ratified a "Memorandum of Agreement" (MOA) with Castle and Cooke Company subsidiaries to develop and fund historic preservation plans at Hulopo'e and Manele Bays on the island of Lana'i. The company has pledged more than $5 million to implement the conditions of the agreement.

Oeeanie Properties and Lanai Land Company recently applied for a Shoreline Management Area permit to build a resort hotel overlooking Hulopo'e Bay. Affected by the request was an ancient Hawaiian village whieh is listed on the OHA Iventory of Native Hawaiian Historic Sites. Covered by the agreement is the in-plaee preservation of 24 historic features, including house sites, possible religious platforms and a hale wa'a for storing canoes. Highlights of the agreement include: • The creation of a five-member Cultural and Archaeological Resource Management Committee

composed of representatives from OHA, the Company, the State Historic Preservation Office, and eommunity members from Lanaians for Sensible Growth (LSG) and the Hui Malama Pono o Lana'i. This Committee will direct preservation plans and the Company will provide up to $6,000 a year for the operation of the group.

• The hiring of a Lana'i kupuna authority to assure the inclusion of traditional Hawaiian and historical knowledge about the island. The kupuna will be a professional advisor to the Committee, and will receive a salary of $6,000 a year. • A preservation and interpretation plan to enhanee understanding of the Hulopo'e and Manele Bay sites. Included in the plans are an oral history project, a video film, a walking tour guide book and protection of a traditional trail as public access.

• A curation plan to retain, house and display Lana'i artifacts on the island by establishing a community museum. The Company has pledged $500,000 to meet the objectives of these plans.

In addition, the agreement outlines culturally-sensi-tive conditions regarding possible Hawaiian burials in the area. Mindful of the Kapalua experience, there is also the assurance that if future archaeological investigation confirms a Hawaiian burial area at Manele sand dune, it will be left undisturbed.

Board Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr., described the MOA as reflecting "the commitment of all concurring parties to conserve the special and unique heritage of Lana'i. Sensitivity and resolve by OHA, the State Historic Preservation Office, the developer and the Lana'i community guided the intent and contents of this agreement to preserve the cultural resources and assets of the past and to recognize their enrichment value to our present and future."

Roland Kaopuiki, spokesperson for the Lanaians for Sensible Growth, called the agreement "significant for Hawaiians — but benefiting everyone." Speaking at the recent OHA Board meeting on Lana'i, Kaopuiki also thanked the Board for their support in a related but separate agreement also concluded with the Company that addresses camping, beach access and housing issues.