Nū Hou - Newsbriefs

By Ka Wai Ola Loa Staff

Kumu Hula Blaine Kamalani Kia conducted the oli wehe at the recent unveiling of the Mamalahoe statue by artist Viliami Toluta'u at Abner Paki Hall. Photo: Courtesy of Evan Tottori, Hawai'i Department of Education

Mamalahoe statue unveiled

The Kāne'ohe courthouse has a new reminder of an ancient Hawaiian law that assured the protection of all from those with more power and authority.

On Dec. 9 a bronze sculpture inspired by King Kamehameha's Law of the Splintered Paddle was unveiled in a private ceremony on the grounds of the Windward O'ahu courthouse, Abner Paki Hale.

The Mamalahoe statue by artist Viliami Toluta'u at Abner Paki Hall. Photo: Courtesy of Evan Tottori, Hawai'i Department of Education

Perched atop a rock foundation, the sculpture towered above the crowd, which included Hawai'i Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon, the statue's artist Viliami Toluta'u, a Tongan native who has lived in Hawai'i since 1974, Ronald Yamakawa, executive director of the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, master canoe builder Tuione Pulotu, project manager Jonathan Johnson of the SFCA, and kumu hula Blaine Kamalani Kia, who conducted the oli wehe.

The bronze sculpture, titled Mamalahoe, depicts two fishermen, with one holding a child. The work symbolizes the balance of the prosecution and defense in the judicial system, according to the SFCA, which commissioned the work through its Art in Public Places Program.

VA clinic opening in 2010

"World-class health care" will be more easily accessible for veterans on O'ahu's Leeward Coast, which is slated to welcome a new outpatient clinic for veterans in 2010, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Dec. 4.

"VA is committed to providing world-class health care to the men and women who have served this nation," said Dr. James Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "These new clinics will bring VA's top-notch care closer to the veterans who have earned it."

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, who pushed for the site, praised the announcement, saying it comes at a time as the needs of veterans in Leeward O'ahu are increasing. "This new clinic will provide them with the basic services they need and have earned through their service," said Akaka, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. "It will spare them from battling traffic into town and reduce the pinch of high energy costs."

The VA plans to open 31 outpatient clinics in 16 states in the next two years. Hawai'i already has outpatient clinics in Hilo and Kona on Hawai'i Island, Kahului, Maui, and Līhu'e, Kaua'i.

Dr. Michael Kussman, VA's undersecretary for health, said outpatient clinics make "preventative care easier for patients, helps health care professionals have closer relationships with their patients and permits easier follow-ups for patients with chronic health problems."

NAGPRA grants available

Federal grants are available for museums, Native Hawaiian organizations and other native groups under the federal law known as NAGPRA, or Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

The law creates a process for museums and federal agencies to return cultural items like human remains, funerary and other sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony to lineal descendants, Native Hawaiian organizations, Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages and corporations.

Two types of NAGPRA grants are offered by the National Park Service. Applications for the Consultation/Documentation Grants must be postmarked by March 2, 2009, with optional draft proposals due Dec. 30 for review and comment. Awarded annually, these grants of $5,000 to $90,000 may be used for travel, training and collaboration regarding researching and identifying significant items.

Repatriation Grants of up to $15,000 may be used for transporting NAGPRA items from a museum or agency to a tribe or for costs to reinter human remains and cultural items. Applications are accepted from October to June 30, 2009.

"Since 1990, more than $25 million have been distributed in NAGPRA grants that have facilitated the return of sacred objects to their rightful place," said National Park Service Director Mary Bomar.

Grant applications are available online at nps.gov/history/nagpra/grants or by emailing NAGPRA_Grants@nps.gov or calling 202-354-2203. For more information about the grants program, see the online brochure at nps.gov/history/nagpra/grants/GrantsBROCHUREupdated2007.pdf.

'Ai'ōpio Fishtrap in the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park in Kona will be restored and preserved through a $350,000 federal grant. – Photo: Courtesy of nps.gov

Fishtrap receives $350K

Kona's 'Ai'ōpio Fishtrap will receive $350,000 for its restoration and preservation under a federal Save America's Treasures grant, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka announced Dec. 9.

The grant from the National Park Service will help stabilize the kuapā, or fishtrap walls over a one-year period. The fishtrap's man-made stone and coral walls are endangered by ocean waves and erosion.

Located in the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, the fishtrap was used by Native Hawaiians for trapping and catching fish, unlike a fishpond, where fish were raised. The national historical park was established in 1978 to help preserve Native Hawaiian culture, demonstrate historic land-use patterns and educate the public.

"The 'Ai'ōpio Fishtrap, and sites like it, are important artifacts of ancient Hawai'i and the lifestyle of times past," said Akaka, the chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks Historic Preservation and Recreation. "This award will ensure that people will be able to appreciate Hawai'i's unique historical and cultural heritage into the future."

This year, Project Ola 'Ai'ōpio was among the 41 projects in 26 states that were awarded the grants. It is the sixth Hawai'i project to receive funding since the grants program began in 1999.

The deadline for competitive grant awards for fiscal year 2009 is expected in the spring, depending on funding. Applications will be accepted through an online process, according to the web site nps.gov/history/hps/treasures.

Bishop Museum offers free admission Dec. 19

In honor of its namesake, Bishop Museum will waive admission fees Dec. 19, the 177th birthday anniversary of Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of King Kamehameha's royal line.

"Princess Pauahi left an incredible legacy to the Native Hawaiian children and people of Hawai'i," said Tim Johns, Bishop Museum president and chief executive. "Part of that legacy is here at Bishop Museum, where visitors can learn about the history of the Kamehameha family and view many ali'i treasures."

Current exhibits include Megalodon: The Largest Shark that ever Lived, which shows till Jan. 11, and 'Ili Iho: The Surface Within, featuring eight contemporary Hawaiian artists who have based their works on four textile treasures: a feathered cloak, a makaloa mat, kapa and a protest quilt. The textile exhibit shows till April 5.

The museum plans to reopen Hawaiian Hall in August 2009, following a multimillion dollar restoration, which will showcase the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific area artifacts.

The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Christmas Day. For more information about the museum's exhibits, activities and programs, visit bishopmuseum.org or call 847-3511.

Waikīkī fishing restricted in 2009

When 2009 begins, the odd-numbered year will ring in a "no fishing" season in the Waikīkī-Diamond Head Shoreline Fisheries Management Area.

The area closes to fishing in odd-numbered years to allow nearshore marine life populations to replenish. It will remain closed through Dec. 31, 2009. During the closure, fishing, taking or injuring marine life, including eggs, or even having fishing gear in the water, is a petty misdemeanor.

The area runs from the 'Ewa wall of the Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium and the Diamond Head Lighthouse, and from the high-water mark on shore to at least 500 yards out, or to the edge of the fringing reef if one occurs beyond 500 years, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Fishing is always prohibited in the adjoining Waikīkī Marine Life Conservation District, which lies between the 'Ewa edge of the Natatorium and the 'Ewa edge of the Kapahulu groin, or seawall.

For more information, visit hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar, pick up a copy of the administrative rule at the Division of Aquatic Resources office, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 330, or pick up a copy of the Hawai'i Fishing Regulations booklet, available at most sporting goods stores.

DLNR also reminds the public that fishing season for 'ama'ama, or striped mullet, will be closed through March 31, 2009, to protect it from overfishing. The 'ama'ama are entering their peak spawning season. Violators face fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail, plus up to $100 for each fish taken. Copies of statewide fishing regulations are available at all DLNR-Aquatics offices throughout the Islands. To report fish catch size or net violations, call 587-0077 on O'ahu, or 643-DLNR (643-3567) after hours or from the neighbor islands.

Free yuletide concert

The public is invited to enjoy a holiday-inspired evening of readings, traditional hymns, carols and dances on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at Kawaiaha'o Church in Honolulu.

Performers include the Kawaiaha'o Church's Sanctuary Choir, Bell Choir and Hālau; the Hawai'i Youth Opera Chorus; Kawaiolaonapukanileo Vocal Ensemble; soprano Malia Ka'ai; and guest vocalist extraordinaire Roslyn Catracchia and friends.

The free concert, Iesū Ka Ho'ōla – Beautiful Savior, is sponsored by the Ministry of Music and Performing Arts of Kawaiaha'o Church.

Draft Maunakea management guidelines released

In November, meetings were held around Hawai'i Island to gather public feedback on the draft Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan, which will guide all future development on the summit. In 2006, a Circuit Court ruling ordered that a management plan must be in place before any further development.

The draft includes a policy of managing access to the summit, and requiring orientation of visitors and employees with specific guidelines for culturally appropriate behavior. The control point would likely be in the vicinity of the Visitor Information Station and Hale Pōhaku, at the 9,000-foot elevation.

The draft also recommends that the University of Hawai'i and the Office of Mauna Kea Management formally seek additional authority to make and enforce rules, and to give Mauna Kea Management rangers law enforcement authority. The draft also recommends a staffing plan that would provide a bigger presence in the summit area for enforcement, interpretation and resource management.

The draft also calls for a requirement for observatories to develop plans to recycle or demolish facilities once their useful life has ended.

Other recommendations in the draft management plan call for it to:

• Partner with local schools and colleges to encourage an oral history program.
• Monitor the condition of all historic properties, cultural sites and burials.
• Track materials, quantities, use levels, users and individuals responsible for hazardous materials and waste.
• Establish buffers around known historic sites in the Astronomy Precinct to protect them from development.
• Develop a plan to manage burials in consultation with the Hawai'i Island Burial Council, recognized lineal or cultural descendants and the State Historic Preservation Division.
• Protect areas of high native diversity or unique communities from development and fence them to protect from feral animals.
• Plant more native plants.
• Require on-site monitors, such an archaeologists, cultural resource specialists, or entomologists during construction activities.

For more information on the draft Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan, visit maunakeacmp.com.

Hawai'i, Kaua'i inaugurate new mayors

On Dec. 1, both Hawai'i and Kaua'i counties inaugurated new mayors, both Native Hawaiians. Kaua'i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. was sworn in at a ceremony at the Kaua'i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu'e, along with the 2008-2010 County Council and Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho.

In Hilo, Mayor Billy Kenoi and elected members of the Hawai'i County Council were sworn in at a ceremony at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Both new mayors share commonalities other than their Hawaiian heritage. Both were previously county employees and had close relationships to the mayors who preceded them. Both played football at some point in their lives. Both used the term "Together we can" in their campaigns. And both are selecting other Native Hawaiians to serve in their administrations.

On Kaua'i, Prosecuting Attorney Iseri-Carvalho, Council Chairman William Kaipo Asing and police Chief Darryl Perry are all of Hawaiian ancestry. On Hawai'i Island, the director of Environmental Management, Lono Tyson, is also Native Hawaiian. Several of Kenoi's cabinet positions remain unfilled.

Re-elected Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann will be sworn in at an inauguration ceremony on Jan. 2.

Plaintiffs want anonymity in KS case

Attorneys for four anonymous students challenging Kamehameha Schools' Hawaiian-preference admissions policy have filed a motion asking U.S. Magistrate Barry Kurren to reconsider his decision that their identity be made public.

Plaintiff attorney David Rosen did not want to comment on the latest move in the lawsuit that follows Kurren's 22-page ruling on Oct. 28, which gave the plaintiffs 10 days to reveal their identities. Parents of the plaintiffs – known as Jacob, Janey, Carl and Lisa Doe, have said through their attorney that disclosure of the children's' identities would expose them to hostility and endanger their safety.

The judge in his ruling wrote that there was insufficient evidence to support the plaintiffs' claim.

In a Kamehameha Schools newsletter, the schools' administration hailed the judge's decision as thoughtful: "Even as we assert our rights in court, we will behave in a pono way that Pauahi would have expected. We need to remember that the plaintiffs are children and should be treated with care and sensitivity," wrote the school's CEO Dee Jay Mailer.

It's not known when Kurren would respond to the plaintiffs' latest request. The lawsuit is the latest in a series of several challenges to the Kamehameha School's admissions policy, none of which have had lasting impact.