Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1 September 1982 — LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [ARTICLE]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I have no idea how or why KA WAI OLA was sent to me, however, I'm delighted it was. Your article, "Land Stolen", not only interested me, but I was in shock, after reading it. It brought back memories that I*ve heard my elders speak of. I had to write and tell you my story. My grand-father was, John Kauai Na-ihe-makawalu-a-Kalaniopu'u Mahoe, Koakanu. Born 23 May 1864. His mother was Luisa Keakaiaulu Naihe, and her parents were; Naihe-maka-walu-a-Kalaniopu'u and Ka-iki-ai-o-ka-opu, born 22 February 1823 at Hana, Maui, died 22 April 1887 at Laie. His father was Koakanu Kameha-meha-ai-luau. Grand-father married Hana Auld and had one son, Livai Nuiaeikamoku Koakanu. However, she and the baby died at childbirth. My grandfather became a Mormon and went to the mainland and eventually found his way to the Hawaiian settlement in Utah, Iosepa. He met my grandmother, Emily Solomona Umi and married her. With the exception of one child born in Hawaii, the rest were all born in Iosepa. 1 remember, about 1835, there was a Hawaiian man, Mr. Napoleon, who was employed inthe Land Office. He said to my mother that there was evidence of land holdings that still belonged to my grand-father. Needless to say, in those days, who would ever contemplated confronting the U.S. Government with this issue. It would have taken a lot of money whieh grand-father could never afford. During the war year's, 1941, a Mr. Paul Hong worked in the Land Office and also mentioned the same statement that was made by Mr. Napoleon. Again my grand-father would do nothing about it. I made a visit in 1978, also by letter, to the Land Office and they could not give me any assistance. H ow ean OH A assist me in this matter and what avenue of thoughts eome to your minds in the research of these lands? Mahalo Nui Loa, Leonard A. Duarte Burlingame, California Editor's note: Our Land Division has responded to Mr. Duarte's request and have these comments after doing some research. People inquiring about title to real property needs to be specific as possible as to location, tax key, if any, or names. Subject letter discloses names of kupuna, however, being a Hawaiian name, it needs to be searched by every possible way that may refer to some reference, such as underlined: John Kauai Na-ihe-makawalu-a-kalaniopu'u Mahoe, Koakanu, and not just Mahoe, Koakanu. A name run of the list of Awardees (Land Commission Award), Grantees (Royal Patent Grant), filed in the Office of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii, Grantoya-Grantee Indexes in the Bureau of Conveyances, said State of Hawaii, and State of Hawaii Archives, are means of locating for reap property. However, with no specific area, it may not be possible unless more information ean be provided. The letter is not specific as to where property might be, whether in Maui or Laie, Hawaii.

I am a Hawaiian, far away from home, here in Utah. I want to keep abreast of the happenings in the islands and I was wondering if it would be possible for you to send me the publication, "Ka Wai Ola". Please let me know if there will be a charge for this. I would very mueh appreciate your kokua. My husband and I are very homesick for our islands and we would love to know what is going on. Maybe it will carry us through until we get back. Mahalo nui loa, Dalani K. Kauihou Provo, Utah Dear Editor, What is reasonable, the jury will have to decide it has been said. Yet the point is the law will require private property to be sold in a private sale. Seems strange and only happens in foreign countries but it could happen to anyone, by this precedent of government intervention. By this intervention process the additional costs and larger burden will rest with the seller, in this case the Bishop Estate. Is it necessary for government to intervene in a private sale and add to the costs. The law, passed as the Land Reform Act of 1967 does not increase housing as declared because the homes are already there so the intent seems more political and singles out special targets. the estates misfortune is that it is non-profit and nonpolitically oriented so posseses limited support. Although there are hundreds of graduates, parents of students and students who are beneficiaries today. Yes, the jury will have to decide what is reasonable. But the price being offered in return for the losts, auwe, appears like a "steal". And it has not yet been decided if the law is constitutional. Alas, with hindsight and better judgement the legislature could review the Land Reforem Act of 1967 because it puts government in the business of selling private property in a private sale. Government is not needed where there is a buyer and a seller in the free enterprise system we enjoy. There are detrimental pit falls and increased costs in the practise of forced sales. The danger is, present discliamers aside, the next time around the victum could be old number one himself, or really you personally. Louis Agard Friends of Kamehameha 55 So. Kukui St. D-404 Honolulu 96913