Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 6, 1 June 2001 — For sale by New York owner/developer, WAIMEA FALLS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

For sale by New York owner/developer, WAIMEA FALLS

is caught in an identity crisis between a Hawaiian cultural treasure and a glitzy, thrill-seeker's adventure park for tourists, kama'āina

By Manu Boyd Waimea Falls has for years been a popular tourist attraction, far removed from Waikīkī, inland of the world-renown surf meeea, Waimea Bay. Botanical gardens, historic site tours

including a temple dedicated to Lono, and cliff diving exhibitions are highlights. In 1996, New York developer Christian Wolffer purchased the l,875-acre valley, and has transformed Waimea to a cross between a theme park and adventure park with such activities as kayaking. horseback riding. mountain biking and ATV (all terrain vehicle), blazing along remote trails. Jungle Trek. a giant. lion-themed maze and treehouse, illustrates the shift away from Hawaiian historical and

cultural emphasis, raising eoneem in

the North Shore community, home to many of the park's employees. Waimea Falls Park is operated by Atlantis Adventures, who also runs Sea Life Park and Atlantis Submarines Hawai'L According to Atlantis Chief Operating Officer Ron Williams, the par'k employs | 110 gardeners, mM. s..g u i d e s , dancers,

divers and more — many of whom double up in responsibility. Over the past decade, turn-style counts have dwindled from 750,000 to 250,000 visitors annually, causing fiscal eoneem and "creative marketing." The shift toward adventure park activities may have been to lure throngs of fun-seekers, but community members including a group dubbed the "Stewards of Waimea" say the valley, rich in history and culture and home to the world-renown Waimea Arboretum, is better off without the imported frills. Honolulu City Councilwoman Rene Mansho, who represents the North Shore, named three eommittees to focus on Waimea based on community outcry: eeonomie development: botany; and history, culture and education. The latter, chaired by OHA's Kupuna Alaka'i Betty Jenkins, a Waialua resident. has recommended Waimea transform into a kind of "outdoor university" where experts share knowledge of ethnobotany, agriculture, history and culture. "The community - including many non-Hawaiians, is extremely supportive of returning the sense of Hawaiianness to the valley," said

Jenkins. "Waimea is a very speeial plaee, and is in need of some healing." Archaeologists trace settlement in the valley to the 10th century whieh eventually became home to kāhuna (the priestly class). After the death of Captain Cook in Kona in 1778, his crew stopped at Waimea for water and supplies marking the first recorded foreign contact on O'ahu. In 1794, Captain George Vancouver, himself a member of Cook's earlier crew, landed at Waimea. After a skirmish, three of his crew were slain, and offered as sacrifices at Pu'u o Mahuka, the luakini at Pūpūkea above Waimea's northern ridge whose construction is credited to menehune. Hewahewa, a high priest of Kamehameha I, was given control of the valley in the early 1800s. The centerpiece of the valley's attractions is the waterfall. named "Waihe'e" (sliding water), possibly alluding to periodic flooding whieh over the years has changed the facade of the pool and stream. Swimming, onee a main reason for visiting the falls, is no longer See WAIMEA on page 14

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WAIMEA from page 1

for visiting the falls, is no longer allowed due to prohibitive liability insurance costs.

Wolffer is asking $25 million for the valley, but the City and County of Honolulu, who could condemn the land, has set aside $5.2 million. OHA Trustee John Waihe'e, chairman of the Policy and Planning Committee, became interested in the valley after a presentation by concerned North Shore community members to the Board of Trustees in May, and has since toured the property with trustees and staff. At press time, no position on the matter has been taken by the board. Another interested party is Sea World, Anheuser Busch's ehain of theme parks in San Diego, San Antonio, Orlando and Australia. Waimea Falls Park is open daily from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Admission is $24 for adults and $12 for ehildren ages 4-12. For information, eall 638-8511. ■