Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 12, 1 December 2005 — Mānoa Cemetery cleanup offers workable approach to burial issues [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Mānoa Cemetery cleanup offers workable approach to burial issues

Respecting kupuna anel their families should be the focus

By Puanani Akaka Cainde Editor's note: Puanani Akaka Cainde is the chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Kawaialm 'o Church, whieh founded the historic cemetery fronting Mānoa VaIIey Theatre. Every day, thousands of people drive past a modest cemetery across from the fire station on East Mānoa Road where the Mānoa Valley Theater (MVT) sits, unaware of its rich cultural history. Mānoa Cemetery was founded in 1823 by Kawaiaha'o Church and, as one of the oldest cemeteries in Hawai'i, it occupies a special plaee in the history of Hawaiian burials. After Kuhina N ui Ka 'ahumanu converted to Christianity, she gifted this plot of land in Mānoa to Kawaiaha'o Church for a Christian cemetery. Thus, Mānoa Cemetery marks the transition from traditional Hawaiian to Christian burials. Many graves are marked not by headstones, according to the Christian practice, but by the placement of stones and their proximity to trees, following Hawaiian tradition. A recent lecture on the history of Mānoa Cemetery, hosted by lessee MVT, included a plea to kōkua a major eleanup of the theater and cemetery grounds. The thought of 200 neighbors working in the small graveyard prompted Mānoa resident Kim Ku'ulei Birnie to ask both Kawaiaha'o Church and MVT if the families of the kūpuna buried there were being consulted on how to elean up the graves.

The church responded immediately. Working with Ku'iwalu, its consultant on historic preservation, cultural resource planning and protocols related to Hawaiian burials, a process was established that would include all stakeholders in the planning of the eleanup. Known descendants of those buried at the eemetery were contacted for their input and to assure them that any eleanup activities in the cemetery would be appropriate and respectful. Kawaiaha'o Church then brought together descendants, MVT management and others coordinating the eleanup to develop culturally appropriate guidelines on how best to remove debris and prune plants in the cemetery without disturbing the family gravesites, including the many unmarked sites. More than 200 volunteers showed up, representing Mānoa Valley Theater, Mālama o Mānoa, Kawaiaha'o Church, Hālau Kū Māna Charter School, neighborhood residents and descendant families. Flyers were passed out detailing activities to avoid, such as removing stones, turning the soil by uprooting plants and vines, and dragging branches or debris across the property, whieh could disturb markers and the graves themselves. Because certain types of trees - including ti, loulu and plumeria - were planted by families as markers, the guidelines specified that only koa haole and short shrubs should be cut. The eleanup event began with a pule from Kahu Curtis Kekuna of Kawaiaha'o Church, followed

by several moving oli, or chants, offered by haumāna (students) of Hālau Kū Māna. Cemetery expert Nanette Napoleon briefed the volunteers on the cemetery and its historical significance before going over the eleanup protocols and guidelines. An incredible amount of foliage and debris were hauled away, but more importantly, a greater puhlie awareness and respect for Hawaiian traditions was realized. In honoring the iwi kūpuna, all were reminded that Mānoa Valley was onee full of Hawaiian families. Many also learned that in something as sacred as ancestral burials, family traditions must prevail. The most rewarding outcome is the families' reacquaintance and renewed commitment to mālama their kūpuna. Those who eame were thankful for the cleaning and pleased with the sensitivity shown. One family member, Kahalaopuna Motoyama, said after the eleanup that "the successful completion of this daunting task eame from a spiritual unity among those involved. I truly felt everyone worked with

respect for our ancestors." After many recent stories in the news about controversies related to Hawaiian burials, it is gratifying to discover an approach that yields a constructive outcome. Kawaiaha'o Church believes bringing together the families and other interested individuals is the best model to ensure a pono resolution to sensitive issues. Kawaiaha'o Church wants to

eonhnue to kāhea (eall out to) the families of descendants at Mānoa, Ka Mō'ili'ili, and Kawaiaha'o cemeteries. We will be updating their family registries for future reference and ask families to eontact either Kahu Kekuna directly at 522-1333, or they may eall Lani Ma'a Lapilio of Ku'iwalu at 539-3589. Ola nā iwi. The bones live. H

— KŪKĀKŪKĀ • DISCUSSIDN FDRUM

Volunteers pitch in at the cemetery eleanup. Inset: cemetery expert Nanette Napolean briefs the workers on protocol. Below: ū walkway waits to be reDūved. - Photos: courtesv ofKawaiaha'o Church