Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 6, 1 June 1998 — Kohanaiki maoli nō [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kohanaiki maoli nō

AHU KAPEKU i ka nalu o Puhil.i. "Mueh thrashing about in the surf of Puhili. Thrashing about in the water drives fish into the nets." ('Ōlelo No'eau #16) The surf of Puhili is found at Kohanaiki, one of the ahupua'a of Kekaha, North Kona. This reference to the region and its bounty calls to mind the Fourth Annual Keiki Surf for Earth Contest and 'Ohana Day Beach Clean-up, held on May 31. The events are sponsored by the Protect Kohanaiki 'Ohana and Hui He'e Nalu O Kona and supported by the Kona eommunity. Kaiko'o ke awa, popo'i ka nalu, 'a'ohe 'ike ka po'e nāna i he'e ka nalu. "The harbor is rough, the surf rolls, and the rider of the surf cannot be seen. A stormy circumstance with uncertain results." ('Ōlelo No'eau # 1402) Kohanaiki was also the focus of the case Public Access Shoreline Hawai'i and Angel Pilago vs. Hawai'i CountyPlanning Commission (PASH). At times, the sequence of presentatiqns, denials and

appeals through whieh the case and our community wound our ways were indeed stormy and the results appeared uncertain. What was always cer-

tain, however, was the indelible plaee in the mo'olelo of Kekaha that this case and the parties to it assumed. The people who are shaping the mo'olelo of our times include those of us who are kama maoli nō o Kekaha. The people who are shaping the mo'olelo include those of us who are only now coming to our 'āina aloha and into our mo'okū'auhau The effort at Kohanaiki is inclusive. The community that flourishes and supports the efforts embodied by

the PASH decision is miltigenerational, multiethnic, multitalented, and it takes its inspiration from the traditional culture of Hawai'i. It aspires to maintain the cus-

tomary practices unique īo Kekaha, North Kona. We anticipate that our North Kona eommunity, whieh serves as a

reference point for the debate generated by this case, will also serve as a reference point for the implementation of Justice Robert Klein's ruling in the case as a wholesome example of community development. At Kohanaiki, the natural and cultural resources of the area are the foundation of recreational, educational and enrichment activities that are supported by community involvement, including fund raising. The Protect Kohanaiki

'Ohana organizes a Beach Health and Safety Project. Because of the cooperative effort by the area land owners, county

government and the loeal community, portable toilets and a dumpster are maintained on site. Who'd have thought that the parties to a lengthy and bitter court case would be capable of lokahi ? The 'Ohana also coordinates a regular trail clearing conducted by Kealakehe Intermediate School. When the students eome on to the land, we share the mo'olelo and the mo'okū'auhau of the plaee, whieh are eommon to many of the students as well. We are able to teach them about geology, hydrology and biology as they work the stones, look to the cloud forest above and feel the sea breeze across the lava plain. We are able to practice lau lima. Ho a'e ka 'ike he'enalu i ka hokua o ka 'ale. "Show (your) knowledge of surfing on the back of the wave. Talking about one's knowledge and skill is not enough; let it be proven." ('Olelo No'eau # 1013) Our intent is that the values and practices articulated through specific reference to Kohanaiki will become normalized in the planning process and intemalized by thosewhocallHawai'i nei home, kākou nō a pau. ■

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