Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2003 — OHA board approves $500,000 to fund cultural programs at Waimea Valley [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA board approves $500,000 to fund cultural programs at Waimea Valley

By Derek Ferrar At its meeting held on the BYU-Hawai'i campus Aug. 14, OHA's Board of Trustees approved a two-year grant totaling $500,000 to the new, nonprofit management of Waimea Valley park for cultural-assessment and education programs at the valley. The National Audubon Society, whieh was awarded a 30-year city contract in June to manage the park as a center for hands-on ecological, cultural and educational experience, will use the funds to survey the valley's cultural history and archaeologieal remains, to establish a "cultural learning institute" including classes, interpretive materials and hands-on archaeological projects for the publie, and to conduct community events, such as a makahiki celebration. The OHA appropriation requires Audubon to match the second-year allotment of around $233,000. "Waimea is well known as one of the most important Hawaiian cultural areas on O'ahu, and

the Board is pleased to be able to assist Audubon in its efforts to educate the puhlie about the valley's sites," said Trustee John Waihe'e IV, a longstanding supporter of Audubon's stewardship of Waimea. "In the past when corners were cut (by the park's previous commercial management), the

cultural sites were often the first to be neglected." "We really see the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as being a partner in the future of the valley, particularly where cultural resources and interpretation are involved," said Diana King, Audubon's project director for the Waimea center. "We're thrilled that OHA has eome forward to take such a bold leadership position at this early date." For the moment, Audubon's management lease remains on a month-to-month basis pending the outcome of an ongoing court case over the city's $5.1 million condemnation of the valley, whieh Audubon officials say has been prolonged by conflicting land claims and values. King said, however, that the society is confident there will be a positive resolution to the condemnation case. "Audubon is committed to doing everything we ean to ensure that Waimea remains in the puhlie interest and domain for the long term," she said. For information on Audubon's Waimea programs, eall 638-9199. ■

OHA support will help the Audubon Society maintain Waimea valley as a natural and "cultural leaming institute."