Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1996 — Cultural eradication of Hawaiian practices [ARTICLE]

Cultural eradication of Hawaiian practices

I am both angry and deeply saddened that the National Park Service has chosen to evict the Pai 'ohana from their homeland on April 1, 1996. The Pai 'ohana have cared for Wai'opio at Honokōhauiki (within the boundaries of the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park) since before recorded Western contact in 1778, and it now appears that they will join the thousands of other Hawaiian families affected by the perpetual practice of eultural eradication. In 1978, Congress authorized the creation of the KalokoHonokōhau National Historical •' Uherc the Pai 'ohana have ī.;-,»! L 9TiJtDrn. Hmnom i resided for centunes, to provide a center for the preservation,

interpretation, and perpetuation of traditional native Hawaiian activities, and culture, and to demonstrate historic land-use patterns as well as provide needed resources for the education, enjoyment, and appreciation of such traditional native Hawaiian activities and culture." It is clearly apparent that the Nahonal Park Service, by evicting the Pai 'ohana from their land, is reneging on their promises. They evidently have a new agenda. For too long we have eoneentrated on only preserving Hawaiian artifacts and other tangible relics from the past. It is just as important to protect the Pai 'ohana way of life. They have been stewards of the land for hundreds of years — practicing traditional customs and safeguarding the sacredness of Wai'opio for generations. The Pai 'ohana continue to operate the Wai'opio fishtrap, care for the buried remains of their ancestors, and worship at the nearby heiau. If we continue on our present course of cultural eradication, Hawai'i will still have the

Polynesian Cultural Center, a few ancient heiau and old fishtraps left, but there will be no Hawaiians left to conduct the proper worshipping rituals or simply care for the fish. The Pai 'ohana is unique. They are a state, if not national, cultural treasure, and I know we will rue the day when they are gone. Allowing this one special family to continue practicing what they have done for hundreds of years will hurt none of us. Rather, their way of life is a window into the past and hope for the future. They educate us and allow us to understand real Hawaiian family values and traditions. If the National Park Service renegs on its promises to preserve traditional Hawaiian activities and culture, the Pai 'ohana will not be the only ones affected. Their removal will be a tremendous loss to us all. Rep. Quentin Kawananakoa Honolulu