Our Ala Loa team has been working hard to continue building the path that will eventually circumnavigate the entire island of Kanaloa-Kaho‘olawe.  We realize that this dream is a huge feat, and with the kōkua of our many volunteers from various community and school groups, we continue to push towards our goal of a beautiful path so that our generations to come may carry Lono in the traditional Makahiki circuit.  

So far, here is what we've been able to accomplish:

• approximately 1.4 miles of Ala Loa from Lae Pakī towards Honoko‘a
• approximately .75 miles of Ala Loa from Kūheia towards Papaka
• approximately 1.28 miles of Ala Loa from ʻIwi Koholā towards Kuikui

We appreciate everyone's hard work and good mana and we are so proud of all of the work thus far.  Here are some photos that were taken while working on the Ala Loa during recent huaka‘i.  Check back for more updates in the future!

The 'Ohana would like to send out a sincere thanks to all of our supporters who attended our fundraiser this past Sunday evening.  We are happy to say it was a great success and an awesome night with good people and excellent music for an amazing cause!  We now have funding for Mahakiki closing in late February, continued Ala Loa work, supplies for our new kitchen structure in Hakioawa, as well as other 'Ohana activities.
Mahalo to all of our sponsors who graciously donated door prizes and silent auction items:

Hawaiian Force
Po Mahina
Live Laugh Aloha
Keli‘i Beyer
Lauren & Holly
Sunset Surf Sales
Hi'ilei Kawelo
Kasha Ho
Nā Haumāna O Ko‘olauloa
Kealoha Hoe
Hale Kealoha-Ai Pono
Polynesian Voyaging Society
Kat Ho & Nā Pali Coast ‘Ohana
Kava Kine
Candy Diaz
Dawson Technical
Uncle Bobby Luuwai & The Lu‘uwai ‘Ohana
Pomaika‘i Freed of Pā Ola Hawai‘i
Hawaiʻi's Finest Clothing
Oʻahu Grown Clothing
Mike Nahoopii
Mailelaulii Maii
Martha Evans
Mamoliʻi Productions
Ricky Pa

For select photos from the event, check out the ‘Ohana Facebook page.  Thank you again to all for your support and for helping the 'Ohana further our mission of aloha ‘āina!

(Hakioawa, Kaho‘olawe)  The Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana is grateful to Senator Daniel Ken Inouye for his contributions leading to the return and healing of Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe.  

The following Mele Kupuna, Ancestral Chant, was composed in 1992 to honor Senator Inouye and pay homage to his ancestors.  It was chanted by Kika Nohara for Senator Inouye to enter and sit upon the Mua Haʻi Kūpuna, Kahualele (Monument in Honor of the Ancestors) on the bluff at Hakioawa during E Kahoʻolawe, E Hoʻomau ana hou i ka Mauli Ola, the August 1992 ceremony of healing for Kanaloa Kahoʻolawe.

NO KANIELA KEN INOUYE
by Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele

On October 22, 1990 President George Bush ordered the halt to all ordnance delivery exercises on Kahoʻolawe. Later that year, when Senator Inouye, then-Congressman Daniel K. Akaka, and others passed the military appropriations, it was with the provision that none of the military monies could be spent on ordnance-related exercises on Kahoʻolawe.  They also set up the Kahoʻolawe Island Conveyance Commission (KICC) to make recommendations to the U.S. Congress as to the future use of the island.  

The ceremony in Hakioawa on August 16, 1992 brought together kūpuna from each island and major decision-makers.  Over ‘awa, each leader pledged to do all in his or her power to protect and heal the island for the future.  Included were U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Congressman Neil Abercrombie, Governor John Waiheʻe, III, with his young son, John Waihe‘e, IV, and Hawaiʻi Senator Mālama Solomon; and OHA Trustees A. Frenchy DeSoto, Thomas Kaulukukui and Abraham Aiona.  Senator Daniel Akaka and Congresswoman Patsy Mink sent representatives.

The recommendations of the KICC and the commitments made at this healing ceremony led to the return of Kaho‘olawe to the people of Hawai‘i in May 1994.  Senator Inouye secured $400 million over the next 10 years for clean-up and remediation.

Mahalo Senator Daniel K. Inouye for your contributions to heal Kanaloa Kahoʻolawe.  

Aloha a hui hou . . . until we meet again upon the pathway to Kahiki Moe.

Click here to download the official press release.

Join the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana for an evening filled with friendship, music, and lots of fun as we raise funds to support the PKO and their efforts in the restoration of Kanaloa-Kaho‘olawe.  
This fundraiser promises to be a night of good fun with a entertainment lineup that promises not to disappoint -- Konahuanui, comprised of PKO kua, Ernie Cruz, Jr., the ‘Awa Root Band, and more!
We will also have raffle prizes, a silent auction, and a country store featuring new and exclusive PKO gear, gear from the Hawaiian Force, smoked meat, and lots of other goodies.  
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from ‘Ohana members or by clicking on this link.  This is a 21 & over event.  Free valet parking fronting Aloha Beer Company.  We look forward to seing you there!

Our community volunteer access for September 2012 took place on September 20-23 with volunteers from Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club, University of Hawa‘i at Mānoaʻs Kōkua A Puni office, and University of Hawai‘i at Mānoaʻs Ethnic Studies 221 students of Professor Davianna McGregor.  We had a great access in which volunteers worked extremely hard to expand, clear, and build our Ala Loa further towards Kuikui Point.  Here is a short video for everyone to enjoy!

Mahalo to Wahine‘aipōhaku Tong for filming and editing this video documenting our July 2012 Huaka‘i to Hakioawa, Kanaloa-Kaho‘olawe with ‘Ahahui O Nā Kauka.

The theme and focus for this particular huaka‘i was 'Ai Pono, Ola Pono - healthy eating, healthy living.  The purpose was to strengthen the connection between healthy local food systems and improved health and wellness outcomes for clinicians.

The Polynesian Voyaging Societyʻs double-hulled sailing canoe Hōkūle‘a recently visited Honokanai‘a, Kaho‘olawe as part of their Hawaiian Island-wide training voyage.  Hōkūle‘a arrived in Honokanai‘a from Lāhaina, Maui, and departed Honokanai‘a for Hūlōpo‘e, Lāna‘i.  Mahalo to Cliff Kapono for producing this amazing video documenting the voyage.

The  ‘Ohana is celebrating the continued sovereign status of Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe today, as a bill proposing to fold the management of the island into the DLNR failed in committee yesterday afternoon.

Senate Bill 3056 proposed to change Chapter 6K, the law that sets policy for the status and management of Kaho‘olawe, by having the Department of Land & Natural Resources provide oversight over the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission, KIRC.  A last-minute amendment offered to make the KIRC and DLNR co-partners.

The KIRC is a special commission set up in 1993 to assure that the island was separate from the DLNR inventory, that it belonged to the Hawaiian nation. The ‘Ohana has pointed out that the KIRC is already administratively attached to the DLNR, by virtue of its seat on the 7-member commission.

The ‘Ohana believes Chapter 6K is structurally sound, even hailed as model legislation around the U.S. and around the world.  It went through a rigorous and inclusive process between 1990 and 1993 before even becoming law.

With the failure of SB 3056 in committee, the special status is preserved.  The ‘Ohana will continue its care of, and for, Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe until we can pass her into the arms of a sovereign Hawaiian nation.

Mahalo to all–those who submitted testimony in advance and in person; to all the senators who care enough to want to improve the management, hear testimony and register a vote; to the 2012 legislative team who did a lot of homework this year; and to the kupuna who compel us to stay the course, and all who offered blessings and aloha throughout.

Imua na pua, lanakila, Kaho‘olawe !

MEDIA ALERT February 13, 2012   [ PDF:  PKO news release 2012-0214 PKO opposes SB3056]

Contact: Noa Emmett Aluli, M.D. 808-553-5353

Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana opposes bill that erodes sovereign status of island (Honolulu, O‘ahu). The Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana (‘Ohana) will testify tomorrow in strong opposition to Senate Bill 3056, a bill before the Hawai‘i State Senate Committee on Water, Land and Housing. SB 3056 proposes the transfer of management of the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve from the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

The Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve was intentionally “not placed back into the DLNR inventory, it was set aside with a special commission to say that it actually belonged to the Hawaiian Nation. You can talk about it coming back to the state of Hawai‘i, but it was specifically set aside by the people of this state, by their elected representatives, as the first piece of sovereign soil.” Governor John Waihe‘e III reminded state senators on February 11, 2011.

The KIRC was set up in 1993, after years of study, islandswide community input, and deliberation as to the future of Kaho‘olawe. The Reserve is managed as sovereign soil. The KIRC is purposefully composed of those who have greatest investment to develop policy and oversight: Office of Hawaiian Affairs, County of Maui, DLNR, Hawaiian organizations and the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana.

SB 3056 proposes removing the special sovereign status of Kaho‘olawe at the same time Act 195 establishes the Native Hawaiian Roll Call Commission that will lead to a sovereign Native Hawaiian governing entity.

Mr. Joshua Ka‘akua will present the testimony of the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana at the hearing tomorrow at 1:45 PM at the State Capitol before the Senate Committee on Water, Land and Housing. Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli can also be reached at (808) 553-5353 or naluli(at)aloha.net.

The Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana is in earnest need of your kokua.

SB 3056 has a hearing on Tuesday February 14, 2012 @ 1:45pm at the Capitol in Room 225. Yes! Valentine’s Day! It will transfer control and management of the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve from the KIRC to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Kaho’olawe will be managed by DLNR like other state lands. There will be no special management of the island as a cultural trust for the Hawaiian Nation. Please protect Kanaloa Kaho’olawe as a sacred cultural trust for the Hawaiian Nation by submitting testimony by Monday February 13, 2012 at 1:30pm. Mahalo and Aloha ‘Āina.

SB 3056: Relating to the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission.
Transfers control and management of the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve from the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and provides that the KIRC shall be subject to the oversight of the DLNR.

Hearing: Tuesday February 14, 2012 @ 1:45pm at the Capitol in Room 225
(It is third on the agenda) in the Senate Water Land and Housing Committee (WLH). Senate WLH Members: Donavan Dela Cruz (chair), Malama Solomon (vice-chair), Carol Fukunaga, Pohai Ryan, Maile Shimabukuro, Jill Tokuda, Sam Slom

Easy to file Internet testimony can be submitted at:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/submittestimony.aspx – Hearing Notice SB3056
or
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/gethearingbybill.aspx?bill&billnumber=3056
See Bill: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/SB3056_.pdf

Download sample SB3056 testimony here.

Talking Points:
Kaho’olawe Was Set Up as Separate Special Cultural Trust for Hawaiian Nation: In testimony on 2-12-11, former Governor John Waihe’e described the trusteeship that he and the legislature established for Kaho’olawe: “so this property was not placed back into the DLNR inventory, it was set aside with a special commission to say that it actually belonged to the Hawaiian Nation. You can talk about it coming back to the state of Hawai’i, but it was specifically set aside by the people of this state, by their elected representatives, as the first piece of sovereign soil.”

SB 3056:

1. Erodes Original Intent: In 1993, the Hawai’i State Legislature set up the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve (KIR) as a separate cultural reserve and trust for eventual transfer to the sovereign Hawaiian governing entity. Transferring control and management of the KIR to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) goes against the original intent of the legislature.
2. Takes Away Special Management for the Hawaiian Nation: SB 3056 will take the power to control and manage the island as a special cultural reserve away from the special commission (KIRC) that was set up to manage the island for the Hawaiian Nation.
3. Takes Away Separate Status: SB 3056 will incorporate the island under the DLNR to be managed like other state lands under DLNR. The island will no longer have its own separate, special and unique management as a cultural reserve.
4. Dissolves Trust: SB 3056 will, in effect, dissolve the KIR as a trust for the Hawaiian Nation.
5. Takes Step Backward from Transfer to Sovereign Hawaiian Governing Entity: Act 195 and the Native Hawaiian Roll Call Commission move us closer to the re-establishment of the sovereign Native Hawaiian governing commission and the transfer of the control and management of the Kaho olawe Island Reserve to the sovereign Hawaiian governing entity. The transfer of control and management under the DLNR is a step backward from this timely process.
6. Please Honor and Protect the Trust Established by Predecessors: We respectfully urge the Senate Water, Land and Housing Committee to protect the trust established by your predecessors in 1993 to Nā Kānaka Ōiwi. Please defeat SB 3506 and support the continued control and management of the island by KIRC as a distinct sacred cultural land trust for the Hawaiian Nation until its transfer to the sovereign Hawaiian governing entity.

Statements can also be sent to Senate WLH Committee Members:
sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov
sensolomon@capitol.hawaii.gov
senfukunaga@capitol.hawaii.gov
senryan@capitol.hawaii.gov
senshimabukuro@capitol.hawaii.gov
sentokuda@capitol.hawaii.gov
senslom@capitol.hawaii.gov