Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 3, 1 Malaki 2006 — Cultural group inspects kiʻi uncovered in Kohanaiki cave [ARTICLE]

Cultural group inspects kiʻi uncovered in Kohanaiki cave

By KWŪ staff On lan. 29, a group of nine Hawaiian men were allowed entry into a North Kona lava tube containing more than 30 ki'i, or Hawaiian religious images, that were discovered last fall, when construction at the 450acre "The Shores of Kohanaiki" luxury development punctured the lava tube and revealed its contents. The discovery is regarded as especially significant because there were no human remains found with the objects, leading many to believe that they were hidden away after the abolishment of the 'ai kapu system in 1819. The California-based Rutter Development Corp., managing partner of the Kohanaiki project, allowed the men access to the site after they had voiced concerns about the safety and condition of the images.

Various cultural protocols were conducted before and after the group entered the cave. In addition, certain measures were observed to limit hann to the structural and spiritual integrity of the site during the visit. And at no time was anyone in the group allowed to handle or touch the images The group included several lineal descendants, two Native Hawaiian archaeologists, a Hawai'i County eouneilman and several other cultural practitioners. The participants were: Solomon Ka'ilihiwa, William Ho'ohuli, Iosiah Ho'ohuli, Larrio Kahekili Ursua, Kauila Ho, Bryant Moek Chew, Sean Nāleimaile, K. Angel Pilago and Chad Kālepa Baybayan. The following is a summary of what the group found during their visit and their recommendations for management of the items.

The cave The group that "aside from the iniīial puncture point in the ceiling, the cave interior appears to be structurally sound and does not present a threat of collapsing at this time." An inhial chamber about 12 feet high and 60 feet long leads to a second, smaller chamber containing the wooden images and stone uprights. The objects The group reported that "the eolleehon of wood images and stone uprights deposited within this cave exists as a rich assembly of nā mea makamae Hawai'i. Their placement upon a stone platform, whieh incorporates both a natural ledge and a wall constructed of loose cave rock, remains unchanged since Hawaiians chose this particular location, deep within the dark cave interior, to

hide these ki'i away. Three of the carved images reflect familiar designs documented by early westerners who were allowed entry into religious compounds. The largest of these images is four feet long. "About three-dozen of the wooden images are made from limbs of varying dimensions, carved with slits for eyes and a mouth. They were left in this natural state with no other carved or stylistic features. They are all similar and may have been carved

by the same person or personages who were schooled under the same priestly order. A few of the ki'i retain the 'Y' shaped fork created by the outgrowth of two branches, with eyes and mouth carved helow the split. A few have fallen over, some have broken off due to deterioration and some may have been purposely placed prostrate. "But the majority are standing or leaning over in loose groupings or rows, an arrangement that may See CAVE on pagE 18

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Cūntinued fram page 17 reflect a eouneil or collection of gods. There are also a few jagged stone uprights interspersed within the rows. The majority of the images face the same direction, although a few may have turned as their footings heeame loose or shaken free over time by earthquakes." "The cave floor fronting the platform contains numerous fowl bones and a possible set from a mammal. There are also two small stone mounds, possibly altars that contain stone uprights of coral, beach and cave rock. There is a single pieee of wood on the floor of the cave that looks

like it may have served as a torch. We also found a few wood shavings on the floor of the cave, and some of the wooden images were left unfinished. We believe, however, that the majority of the work on the images took plaee outside of the cave, previous to their placement. We also witnessed no burials within the cave chambers we entered." Recommendations The group recommend that the site and its contents be preserved in plaee. "Removing these objects from the context they exist in would permanently destroy the significance of the find and erase forever the footprint left to us by our ancestors," they said. They also recommended that the cave should not be sealed per-

manently, "as it exists as a vital resource to the Native Hawaiian community." However, the group felt that the site must continue to be secured and that access should be controlled and limited. Lastly, they said, "there is a need for further study and a more thorough documentation of the objects. But for now the more pressing need is for Hawaiians to reach a consensus that will allow for the preservation and continued safe care of the ki'i ... We encourage our Hawaiian community now to support a plan that allows the ki'i to remain in plaee, to serve the Hawaiian eonununity as an example of how our ancestors honored their culture throughout a time of turbulent change."