Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 1996 — Native Hawaiian land trust conserves cultural access, sites [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Native Hawaiian land trust conserves cultural access, sites

OHA grant dollars at work

by Pearl Leialoha Page You've heard of the Nature Conservancy, a group of environmentalists dedicated to reserving large tracts of land for native flora and fauna. But what group is working to preserve lands of cultural and historical significance to native Hawaiians? Up until 1991, no such land trust existed. A grass roots organization sprouting from the beautiful landscape of Hāna,

Maui has taken the lead in this important conservation work. "Several of us decided that it was time to be pro-active and move the debate from who did what to whom and reclaim lands in a positive way," says J. Kalani English, a founder and board member of Hui 'Āina O Hāna.

Working with certain national groups including the Trust for Public Lands in San Francisco, and the Land Trust Allianee in Washington D.C., the Hui so far has thoroughly researched federal laws that offer tax incentives to land owners who turn over certain land rights to conservation. groups. As a result, the Hui has drafted legislation to amend the state law to include lands of eultural significance for tax exemptions similar to those in plaee for lands set aside for conservation. Such lands would include places where ancient Hawaiian trails exist, heiau or lands associated with an historical person or event. It hopes to have a bill introduced in the upcoming legislative session. i

Onee lands or land rights are procured, the Hui proposes to manage those lands and make them available for traditional cultural practices. In the spirit of "he ali'i ke 'āina, he kauā ke kanaka" — the land is a chief, the people its servant — the Hui hopes to preserve sacred grounds, historic places, and lands used for fishing, farming and the arts. Such lands are under tremendous pressure for urban development, English points out. Mueh of the culture resting on these lands is "subject to loss from the bulldozer, the gill nets, or No Trespassing signs if efforts are, not made to identify, set aside, and protect these valuable eultural resources," he said. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is assisting this eommu-nity-based organization progress in its mission with a $15,000 grant to explore monetary and tax incentives for landowners to

donate lands or rights to lands with cultural significance. Currently the group is in the process of closing its first land settlement for two acres in upland Hāna, where it hopes to establish a dedicated hālau and restore native plants to the site. The Hui is also negotiating with another owner for rights to a heiau, burial caves and beach access. Also in the works is the signing over of three large Hawaiian grave areas in Hāna. English sees the

Hui as a model for others; and toward that end, the sixmember working board and one parttime staff member has been assembling a how-to manual whieh I specifies easement criteria, checklists and how to I approach a landowner, among

other directtons. Research and database building continues as the Hui identifies lands with cultural resources. Though based in Maui, Hui 'Āina o Hāna foresees expansion to eonūnue statewide. It hopes to partner with key groups and individuals around the state to share knowledge and information. The strongest asset going for the organization is

the teamwork among its board members. These include; • board president, Robert Malaiakini, an avid fisherman working to restore and utilize a Hawaiian fishpond; • J. Kalani English, chief of staff for state senator Avery B. Chumbley and also chairman of the Maui County Cultural Resources Commission; • Tony Pu, treasurer and secretary, who operates Hāna Tropicals and actively distributes native species of plants in the eommunity; • Keali'i Reichel, a recognized master chanter and acclaimed musician who has been nominated for a Grammy, this year; • Maano Smith, an expert hula dancer who also ,serves on the board of the Hāna Day Care Center;

• Francis "Blue" Lono, supervisor at Kahanu Garden, site of the world's largest heiau, and also a direct descendent of the builders of this amazing edifice; • John Romain, restorer of an ancient Hawaiian fishpond and former publicist and writer; and • Dawn Lono, who serves the Hui as its agent and financial inanager. Lono is heavily involved in Hawaiian cultural and community organizations. She is a former construction project manager and currently operates her own bookkeeping ser-

vice and a tropical flower farm in Hāna along with her husband, John Lono. "There's a real equitable division of labor. The board meets. Assignments are made and eompleted by the next gathering," English said. "They're all busy with their own lives but they make time for this because this is something they feel strongly about. "We stand ready to discuss the possibilities with landowners who want to contribute in a positive way to the Hawaiian

culture and need a tax break," English adds. He points out that there are many possibilities for financing land acquisitions for the non-profit group. "Of course the ultimate would be to get a large grant from a large philanthropic group such as the Threshold Foundation or the World Wildlife Fund, " English says. The group is exploring all its options and making up others along the way. If you'd like to find out more information, eall Dawn Lono at (808) 248-7497.

Kalani English

Cultural assets such as Hawaiian fishponds, burial sites, heiau, and trails on private land need to be conserved. Photo by Patrick Johnston