Ka'ena Cultural Practice Project

Free Our Leina! Kuleana Kakou - can you collect 15 signatures?

2010-12-22T17:04:00.001-10:00

The Pohaku are Restless . . .

2010-12-21T10:03:00.005-10:00

From Al Sabagala on Facebook

Comments Below:
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Barry Abe Pohaku action. Someone may be unhappy?

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Al Sabagala Fo'suah cuzzin"

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Summer Kaimalia The pohaku are restless - too much pilikia in Ka'ena!

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Al Sabagala Da mana is there fo'real!"

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J Leipupu Stone Ka'ena point....choke stories! Yep someone definetly not happy..

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Al Sabagala Sistah they not happy with the constrution going on out there das fo'suah.

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J Leipupu Stone Waaaaaaaat? That's HEWA!!!!! all wrong..

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Al Sabagala Wrong is da word" that's where our tax money go's fo' mess up da land!" many other thing's to spend our tax money on.

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Summer Kaimalia is it just me . . . or does that pohaku have a face?

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J Leipupu Stone Definetly has a face...

From the album:
Mobile Uploads by Al Sabagala

OIBC Meeting - December 2010 - Ka'ena Fence Project

2010-12-16T12:34:00.000-10:00

Oahu Island Burial Council calls for a stop to Kaena Point fence, questions State procedures - The Hawaii Independent :€“ News · Culture · Community

2010-12-15T01:55:00.000-10:00

Oahu Island Burial Council calls for a stop to Kaena Point fence, questions State procedures - The Hawaii Independent :€“ News · Culture · Community

Free Our Leina ka ʻUhane!

2010-12-03T12:37:00.000-10:00

Malama Kaʻena, a malama Kaʻena ia ʻoe!

2010-11-13T10:56:00.001-10:00

NOAA 10-12-2010.

2010-10-15T22:33:00.000-10:00

Please listen to Keʻeaumoku Kapuʻs response to the proposal to carve up our ocean resources . . . from a panel discussion dated 10/12/2010

Public Meetings for the Ocean Resource Management Plan at Kaʻena

2010-04-13T18:00:00.002-10:00

The Kaʻena Point Advisory Committee will be calling a public meeting to present their recommendations to the Land Board regarding the Kaʻena Point State Park Reserve. The meeting is currently set to be held on the North Shore in July (date still
pending). There will be maps and information posted on the Kaena Point
website as well as the ability to post public comments for those who
won't be able to attend the meeting. An official announcement about
the public meeting will be sent out in mid-May or sooner. Will keep you updated on the dates - we are hoping for a big public turn out!

Harrassment of Fishermen Continues

2010-04-13T17:57:00.002-10:00

ALOHA TO ALL YOU FISHERMEN AND YOUR FAMILIES,

THIS IS AN ALERT!

LETTING YOU ALL KNOW THAT YES,THE TWO ARE AT IT AGAIN. THIS PAST WEEKEND(APRIL3,2010).
AT MOKULEIA AND KA'ENA POINT STATE PARK.

HEADS UP AND WATCH YOURSELVES. THEY ARE HITTING FISHERMEN WITH THE CAMPING PARAPHERNALIA RULE. CONFISCATED POP UP CANOPIES REGARDLESS IF IT WAS RAINING. TWO FISHERMEN HAVE TO APPEAR IN WAHIAWA DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 27(THURSDAY).

REMEMBER THE GAME WARDEN CAN CLAIM ANY ITEM AS CAMPING PARAPHERNALIA BECAUSE OF THE WORD "OTHER" IN THE RULE.

JUST WANTED YOU ALL TO KNOW. SPREAD THE WORD!

WE ARE ALL FIGHTING THE SAME "CAUSE". TO BE ALLOWED TO FISH OVERNIGHT WITH PROTECTED FISHING GEAR. THE RULE APPLIES TO ANYONE ON THE STATE PARK/BEACH ONE HOUR AFTER SUNSET TO SUN UP. SO LET US FORGET OUR PERSONAL DIFFERENCES AND STAND UNITED IN OUR FIGHT FOR OUR TRADITIONS AND CULTURE TO CONTINUE.

Community Dune Restoration Project

2010-01-10T16:21:00.001-10:00

Carroll Cox Radio Show 1/3/2010

2010-01-03T11:35:00.002-10:00

Discussion of the Predator Fence Project a.k.a. "Ecosystem Restoration Project"

On Land Board Agenda 1/8/2010

Check out the podcast

http://carrollcox.com/show010310.htm

Carroll Cox Radio Show 12/27/2009

2010-01-03T11:33:00.001-10:00

Continuation from previous show: Jeanie Li, a concerned citizen, J.L. Mandrell from the Makai Society, and Huang Chi Kuo are back to discuss rule changes by the Department of Land and Natural Resources that impact fishermen and boaters. DLNR can now propose and pass rules, such as restricting fishing access and introducing park user fees, on its own, without any regulation or oversight!

Check out the podcast

http://carrollcox.com/show122709.htm

Carroll Cox Radio Show: 12/20/2009

2010-01-03T11:31:00.000-10:00

Carroll and his guests, Jeanie Li (a concerned citizen), J.L. Mandrell from The Makai Society and Huang Chi Kuo discuss rule changes by the Department of Land and Natural Resources that impact fishermen and boaters. DLNR can now propose and pass rules, such as restricting fishing access and introducing park user fees, on its own, without any regulation or oversight!

Check out the podcast

http://carrollcox.com/show122009.htm

The Fishing Community Speaks Out Against the Camping Paraphernalia Rule

2010-01-02T11:14:00.003-10:00

Check out Pathways to Paradise:

http://carrollcox.com/FishermenSpeakUp.htm

Proposed changes to state fishing rules spur protests

2009-12-29T10:49:00.002-10:00

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091229/NEWS03/912290316/1001/NEWS/Proposed-changes-to-state-fishing-rules-spur-protests

December 29, 2009 - fishing community speaks out against DLNR

2009-12-29T10:37:00.001-10:00

Is the proposed Predator Fence at Ka'ena really necessary?

2009-11-02T15:49:00.001-10:00

Brent Lisemeyer of DLNR addresses concerns over the fence . . . it is interesting to note the point on the current bird population and continued increase with or without the fence . . . the dog attacks mentioned occurred several years ago and has not at all impacted the current population at the point. The fence will not keep dogs out of the area - especially when people take their dogs in off-leash.
He also states other reasons for the project which I find concerning: 1) so that "those living on the main Hawaiian islands can get a glimpse of what it looks like on the northwest Hawaiian islands."
2)"To restore an eco-system that has been damaged by human efforts by protecting it with human efforts" 3) "The fence is going to last for a significant period of time and hopefully its demonstration as a viable technique here in Hawaii will be shown and be used elsewhere . . . that's the biggest benefit, that it will be an example project for others and lead the way into the future."

Ka'ena Dune Restoration

2009-10-28T13:24:00.002-10:00

Spent the morning with a group of 8th graders from Punahou who have been working on a project to restore one of the dune systems at Ka'ena. Last year the students took care of the seedlings with the knowledge that they would be planted out at Ka'ena. This year, about 100 8th graders have come out to plant the young naupaka on the parts of the dune that have eroded due to off-road vehicles.

Please help us to malama these new plantings - keep vehicles off the dune systems at Ka'ena, and provide water to them if you can! If there is one thing we can learn from these students, it is that we have a responsibility to future generations to make sure to malama aina and malama i ke kai.

Video footage from today will be airing on Olelo soon! I will make sure to post more information as it becomes available.

Mahalo nui loa to the students and faculty who have volunteered their time to protect this special place!

Officer Haina Reinstated Despite Complaints of Civil Rights Violations

2009-08-22T09:45:00.003-10:00

Auwe! I heard from someone within DOCARE that Officer Henry Haina was never on "administrative leave" to begin with. When it comes to allegations relating to civil rights violations within their own department, DLNR should not have been allowed to do an internal investigation . . . each case should have been looked over by an outside party that would not have been biased. The fact is several complaints were filed way before this issue ever went out through the press. DLNR, the Attorney General, and Linda Lingle were all aware of the situation for some time. It was only when the harassment claims were made public that any so-called action was taken.

I have talked to several others who have had similar encounters with this officer, who chose not to make a public statement against him . . . including fishermen at Ka'ena who he had drawn his gun on for having "camping paraphernalia" after sunset. DOCARE needs to work on developing regulations for their officers to follow - it seems that at least this one did not know when it is appropriate to draw a firearm.

Below is the Article from the Honolulu Advertiser dated August 22, 2009

DLNR officer returned to dutiesBy Eloise AguiarAdvertiser Staff Writer
The state has reinstated a Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officer after internal investigations did not substantiate complaints that he harassed people at Ka'ena State Park, the department announced yesterday.
The officer, a four-year employee of DLNR, had been placed on administrative leave after the department received nine written complaints about him last year.
The officer will return to his field patrol duties, DLNR said.
At a Pig Hunters Association meeting in November, dozens of hunters and fishermen said he was overbearing and harassed people. Some accused the officer of drawing his weapon on children, ordering people to take off their clothes and threatening people.
DLNR Director Laura H. Thielen yesterday said independent investigations by DLNR and the state attorney general's office found insufficient evidence of criminal acts and that complaints were unsubstantiated or contradicted by others.
"It appears that several complaints were registered by individuals who were caught violating the law and that many of the complaints were based upon their disagreement with the laws protecting Hawai'i's resources," Thielen said in a news release.
The two people who said they were ordered to take off their clothes withdrew their complaint after being informed the department had audio records of the incident, Thielen said.
In another case, the officer drew his gun in the "low ready" position in the presence of children who were with seven unleashed hunting dogs, Thielen said. Once the dogs were secured, the officer holstered his weapon, witnesses told DLNR.
"The decision by the attorney general provides for the general public confidence that there was an outside impartial body doing an investigation and they come to the same conclusion," Thielen said.
Oliver Lunasco, with the Pig Hunters Association, said he is suspicious of the investigations. At least 30 people lodged complaints with Lunasco delivering some of them personally to the DLNR, he said.
"There were too many complaints against him to find everything was not valid," Lunasco said.
As for those complainers who broke the law, Lunasco said they were complaining about the way they were treated, not about being cited.
"It's like a traffic cop stops you, yanks you from the car and all the time he has his gun drawn and he cites you for speeding," he said. "It's not just."
Thielen said that before the officer was assigned the the area, residents complained that hunters were intruding on private property by taking game, damaging fences and locks, and setting traps.
Thielen said the department has learned from the case and will reach out more to the community. "I think the lesson learned is we need to focus on helping people understand why following the rules are in their best interests," Thielen said.

Submitted Letter to the Editor (Honolulu Advertiser)

2009-08-16T13:52:00.001-10:00

Every weekend, my daughter, her father and my niece, go out to Ka'ena Point - not to play or fish or necessarily enjoy the stark beauty of that area (which they do), but to pick up after others.

They haul out burnt pallets and rubbish left behind by people, who see this area as a place to carouse and dump. Many of these pallets are brought in by young soldiers, who feel they have a right to set bonfires and party (illegally) in this park, at night. A couple a weeks ago, a brushfire burned many acres of land at Ka'ena Point, destroying native foliage

For me, a long time kamaaina, to see such desecration of a supposedly protected area, is a sad state of affairs and a misuse of limited park land on this island.

Please have consideration, whether you are a resident or active-duty military, obey the posted signs. If you are out in that area to enjoy, haul out your own rubbish. Do not set bonfires - this is a very dry part of the island and any careless spark or flame can cause great destruction. Park, picnic, fish and enjoy, but do not run your off-road vehicles on the delicate sand dunes

We do not appreciate people, military or civilian, who flaunt the law, in order to have a good selfish time.

PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE AND RESPONSIBLE.

Barbara Long
Mililani Town, Hawaii

Na'au Wrenching Off-road Videos online

2009-08-02T14:54:00.003-10:00

Feb 16, 2008 - 02:22"Matt and his Jeep" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62G0GT0wYVU

Sep 6, 2008 - 00:20 "Off-roading at Ka'ena Point on the North Shore of O'ahu"
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=984369742

"Curran doin' doughnuts decepticon28 - 30 views - 4 months ago":
http://www.youtube.com/user/decepticon28#play/all/uploads-all/1/IHNqLYsJKPA

"Ridin' Dirty" Added: May 14, 2006:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=7258013

Mar 26, 2007 - 00:23"I love rental cars."
These guys can't even pronounce Ka'ena correctly. (warning about offensive language):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucinEBvhp-w

Dec 16, 2008 - 05:09"Kaena point turns into a giant river that we then feel the need to traverse in our caravan of Jeeps" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA_-ogDlwSw

Kaena Point 071021:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnvOsfN1Yfg

Mar 13, 2009 - 08:44 military decals are clear in this video. In the first segment someone is letting a young child offroad - talk about a safety issue. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqzG2-ysGU4

Feb 22, 2009 - 05:19"You can only find this mud pit after it has rained. We had fun. Only one managed to get a good spin." : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvpJwHchURY&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eyoutube%2Ecom%2Fuser%2FForgottenIreland&feature=player_profilepage

Lessons Learned

2009-07-05T08:10:00.006-10:00

On the weekend of July 3rd, my ohana spent some time together at Ka'ena. I was planning for a tough few days, because in the past, on holiday weekends, there had always been so many people out there having a good time at the expense of the aina. For the last few years on our huaka'i out to Ka'ena, we have had to put almost everything aside in order to focus on preventing off-road activities and cleaning up pallet fires and opala left behind by others.

But this was weekend, I had time to do what is so important - to pass on traditions that I was taught as a child to the next generation . . .

I remember when my Grama would take all of the fish that the family had caught down to the shore to clean. As a young child, I was so intrigued by the process of cleaning fish, and for years I'd watch her careful hand scale each fish and slice its belly, letting its insides fall out into the tidepools where tiny crabs would come out from hiding to dine on this rare delicacy.

What I didn't realize at the time was that I was being taught my kuleana, when I was brought down to accompany my father's mother at the shoreline: at first, just watching, and then being given small tasks - carrying a bucket, or rinsing off a freshly cleaned fish.

As we got older, and were more inquisitive, my Grama would let my cousins and I look at the contents of each stomach - some would hold the shells of tiny crustaceans, others sand, and some limu. What this taught us was more than just how to clean a fish, it gave us a greater understanding for what our food source relies upon to survive - the bigger picture of how an entire eco-system must remain in balance in order for us to eat. Without limu, there will be no Palani, no Nenue. Without coral, no Uhu. Without tiny crustaceans, no Weke, Kumu or He'e.

What Grama had taught me in all those years of accompanying her down to the shoreline, was more than just about gutting fish, it was more than learning about self-sustainability, but it revealed to me the idea that there is a natural balance to this eco-system - that nature is pono. And in order to be a part of that balance, I have kuleana - the responsibility to make sure that we all malama pono - to protect this eco-system that sustains us.

This weekend, as I went to the shoreline with fish to clean, I remembered my Grama and all that she taught me. And when the young kids arrived to watch, I remembered how intriguing the process of cleaning fish was for me. It was then I realized that what we were doing those days on the shore was actually an important part of maintaining pono.

Because it is the youth who will continue the practice into the future, because they will someday realize the role they play in all of this - we must continue to pass down the kuleana of our ancestors.

Working to put a Stop to Destructive Activities at Ka'ena

2009-06-22T21:53:00.018-10:00

The Lawai'a Action Network has recently sent out a letter to commanding officers of all branches of the military in Hawaii requesting their assistance in protecting the culturally and ecologically sensitive area of Ka'ena from off-road activities. Mahalo to all those in the community who signed on in support of our letter!

Why the military? Because many of the off-roaders in Ka'ena are military personnel - in fact there is a local 4-wheel club in which most members are employees of the military. According to an article in JP Magazine titled, Vacation to Oahu - Hawaii Fine-O: Hanging with the Oahu Jeepers, "The Oahu Jeepers are made up of local Jeep enthusiasts, so that is to say almost every member is an active military, retired military, or civilian military contractor. We wondered why so many military guys owned Jeeps and found out that while stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other nasty places for an extended time period, a vast majority of their pay is withheld because their living expenses are covered by Uncle Sam. Once back home, they get their withheld pay in a lump sum that usually gets spent on whatever they were dreaming about while overseas. In most cases, that's a shiny, modified Jeep."

Be it military or not, the next step in the process of educating off-road enthusiasts about the harm their hobby causes will be to contact JP Magazine, and any other publications that have been promoting off-road activity in Ka'ena, as well as local 4-wheel clubs who are posting videos about off-roading at Ka'ena online (see JP Magazine article link below).

All of the images are from JP Magazine's website

http://www.jpmagazine.com/eventcoverage/154_0604_vacation_to_oahu_hawaii_fine_o/index.html

Native Plants of Ka'ena (more to come)

2009-06-20T23:44:00.005-10:00

Naupaka Kahakai are probably the most prevalent of native plants in Ka'ena. They can be found growing atop the sand dunes along the coastline of Ka'ena. In mo'olelo explaining the tiny, white half-flower of Naupaka Kahakai (a beach variety), it is said that two lovers were separated to mountain and sea and transformed into plants in order to protect them from Pele's jealous rage. The Naupaka Kuahiwi (mountain variety), was said to hold the other half of the blossoms that remain separated forever. The Naupaka of Ka'ena play an important role in the coastal eco-system; their roots protect the dunes from erosion, keeping soil firmly packed under the surface. Offroading on the dunes has caused major damage to a lot of Naupaka in the area, a plant that we rely on to protect our reefs from siltation caused by erosion.

Naio is a large shrub with tiny white flowers that can be found in the midlands of Ka'ena. Its wood has a Sandalwood-like scent.

Ohai is a low-lying shrub with a very unique flower. Like Hinahina, its silvery leaves reflect the light of the sun.

Ka'ena 'Akoko is a ground-crawling plant that grows on both sand and stone.

Pa'u o Hi'iaka is a ground-crawling plant that can be found growing alone or intertwined with other ground-crawling plants. The photo above shows the Pa'u o Hi'iaka growing with Ilima Papa. According to mo'olelo, its name was given after Pele found the plant wrapped around her baby sister Hi'iakaikapoliopele, protecting her from the heat of the sun.

Ilima Papa is a ground-crawling plant that grows along the coastline of Ka'ena.

Hinahina ku kahakai's succulent leaves form rosettes that are the base for the plant's tiny, white and sweet-smelling blossoms. It is a ground crawler that is named for its soft silver leaves.

Lawai'a- Caretakers of the Land and Sea

2009-05-18T00:32:00.002-10:00

"The Truth is, there is man and there is environment. One does not supercede the other. The breath in man is the breath of Papa. Man is merely the caretaker of the land that maintains his life and nourishes his soul . . . . Therefore, the 'aina is sacred, the church of life is not in a building, it is the open sky, the surrounding ocean, the beautiful soil." - George Helm, January 1977.

On the afternoon of May 13th, my dad and I took a ride out to Ka'ena. When we arrived at the sandy bay we had found the remains of some parties that occurred over the weekend: the remains of a pallet fire, a stack of leftover pallets, and tire tracks that covered the entire area. This was upsetting for us to see this because we have been trying to get out to Ka'ena as often as possible to educate the off-road community about the impacts that they have on the aina. We had already attempted to block off the bay and nearby sand dunes with boulders and car parts left behind by offroaders the last time we had been out (see previous blog).

We had missed one weekend and we couldn't believe the damage that had been done in that short period of time.

In order to stop people from driving their vehicles into sandy areas (where iwi kupuna are known to be buried and where we have gathered shells for generations), we decided to reposition the boulders that off-roaders had moved to regain access over the weekend. So we spent the remainder of our afternoon replacing the boulders to block the access points to the bay and nearby sand dunes. On our way out, we loaded the remaining pallets on the truck and drove them out to the dumpsters by the parking lot.

At this point we were still pretty confident that our efforts would not be fruitless. We were sure that everyone would understand that the replaced boulders meant no vehicle entry.

Unfortunately, we were wrong.

When we returned on the afternoon of May 15th (only two days after moving the boulders for a second time), we had found that offroaders had thrown the boulders, which we had put in place the previous afternoon, into the bushes. It was pretty frustrating - I wanted to cry - but we did not want to give up on our efforts to protect the area from further destruction and desecration. So this time we put up even bigger blockades.

By the time we finished moving boulders, the sun had set and it was getting dark, but I still had time to string up some rope around the access points to the bay and nearby dunes. On the rope I put up signs saying "Malama Pono:Protect Our Resources - No Vehicles Beyond This Point." This was my attempt to better communicate with those who had moved the boulders the last time, who threw the party with a pallet fire on the aina that I love, who clearly did not understand the language of a wall of upright pohaku, and who I thought would probably understand some English.

When we left that night, I was pretty confident that the offroaders would receive our message loud and clear this time around. I mean, we had replaced the boulders that they had moved before and posted signs in English that said "NO VEHICLES BEYOND THIS POINT."

Unfortunately, on our return two days later, the boulders were moved again and my signs cut down. This time, we decided that we would use the truck to pull larger boulders up to block the accesses to the bay and nearby dune systems. In the process of blocking an access way, we were visited by a friendly DOCARE officer who thanked us for what we had been doing. He told us that the night before he had watched a bunch of military personnel in jeeps that were taking down my signs and moving the boulder barricades we had placed to keep off-roaders out.

Because I care so much about this place, because it is a part of me, and I a part of it, I refuse to give up - especially to those who I know have no respect for this wahipana. I will continue to move boulders and post signs, and to educate those who will listen . . . to malama pono -because this kuleana comes from within me.

To Be Continued . . .

Malama i ke kai, a malama ke kai ia 'oe

2009-05-01T10:33:00.008-10:00

Our Kuleana as Cultural Practitioners:

As an olelo noeau (Hawaiian proverb) states, "Malama i ke kai, a malama ke kai ia oe!" which means care for the ocean and the ocean will care for you. It is our kuleana as cultural practitioners who fish and gather to protect those same resources which provide for us.
In Hawaii, our ocean resources are already stressed by commercial fishing operations, siltation of reefs caused by run-off and erosion, diminishing limu beds, and rising ocean temperatures. As lawaia/cultural practitioners, we must protect our resources by protecting and maintaining the surrounding environments to ensure they remain in balance for future generations.
At Kaena, one of the most well-known fishing areas on Oahu, the Lawaia Action Network is working towards bringing the resource back into balance through cultural practice.
To malama aina at Kaena we must to continue traditional resource management at many levels.

What You Can Do to Help Protect Kaena:

1) Always take out more opala than you bring in. Be prepared to clean up the surrounding area, make it part of your routine to malama aina.

2) Do not drive or park in sandy areas or on or near exposed reefs to prevent erosion and to protect cultural sites from desecration.

3) Discourage all off-road/ ATV activity in the area. Talk to everyone about the impacts that this activity has on both natural and cultural resources.

4) Only take what is necessary to feed you and your family. Avoid taking immature shellfish and uprooting limu while gathering.

5) Educate friends and family, and teach keiki that malama aina is part of our fishing heritage.

6) Document license plates of abusers and Report violations!

Send photos, video and email reports to: lawaianet@yahoogroups.com

Protecting Our Wahi Pana from Destructive Offroaders

2009-05-01T10:19:00.002-10:00

On Sunday, April 12, 2009 we tried to move a large boulder, originally placed by the state over 10 years ago, to prevent further erosion of the sand dunes. Unfortunately we broke both of our tow straps in the effort to block vehicle access to the dunes with the large boulder (right). Instead we were able to move the smaller boulder (left) to block access.

When we returned to check on the dunes the following Saturday (4/18), someone had moved the small boulder to regain off-road access to the area.
This morning (5/1) we went in to attempt to move the larger boulder again. Thankfully someone had done the job for us- maybe it was the menehune :)!!!

As you can see in the picture below erosion here is severe. We need to make sure that we do all we can to protect this sensitive ecosystem and cultural treasure.

Please kokua. Malama Ka'ena.

Let people know that vehicle access in Ka'ena should be limited to existing roads. Driving on dunes and in sandy areas threatens our cultural and natural resources!

Senate Concurrent Resolution 12

2009-02-09T15:17:00.001-10:00

THE SENATE
S.C.R. NO.
12

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO AMEND ITS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES RELATING TO CAMPING AT STATE PARKS.

WHEREAS, fishing at night on beaches throughout the State is a longtime and treasured tradition in Hawai`i, enjoyed by families of Native Hawaiians and the broader public for generations as a means to provide sustenance and recreation; and

WHEREAS, fishers have used tents, sleeping bags, and other gear to protect themselves and their family members from the weather while fishing at beaches at night; and

WHEREAS, in 2002, the Department of Land and Natural Resources amended section 13-146-2, Hawaii Administrative Rules, to define camping by the type of "camping paraphernalia" an individual possesses one hour after sunset until sunrise at a state park; and

WHEREAS, the State's camping rules have had a significant impact on Native Hawaiians, whose customary and traditional rights are protected by the Constitution of the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the new camping rules and the enforcement of these rules have resulted in officers of the Department of Land and Natural Resource's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement issuing citations to individuals for fishing while using tents and sleeping bags as fishers have done for decades; and

WHEREAS, fishers from Keawa`ula and Ka`ena beaches on O`ahu's west and north shores have been especially affected, with many of them believing that the State's new camping rules do not allow for sufficient protection and safety from the elements when they fish at night; and

WHEREAS, the legislature believes that the State's administrative rules relating to camping at state parks could be amended to allow the public to fish in a more reasonable and safe manner at night; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to amend its administrative rules in a way that allows:

(1) The State to regulate camping while not adversely affecting other park uses;

(2) The State to better differentiate between campers and fishers; and

(3) Fishers to protect themselves from the weather, while assuring public safety; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

OFFERED BY:
_____________________________

By Request

Report Title:

OHA Package; Fishing; State Park Rules

A fast way to pick up nails!

2009-02-09T11:34:00.002-10:00

The last two weekends the Helenihi Ohana has gone out to gather pipipi and pick up opala at Ka'ena . . . This Sunday we brought a giant magnet to make things easier

In no time we collected this:

Mudbogging on Superbowl Sunday

2009-02-09T11:28:00.003-10:00

After getting out of this predicament, the same guy gets stuck in the sandy bay for 3 hours. . . what a mess!

Care for the Aina which Provides for You!

2009-02-01T18:07:00.003-10:00

Spent some time out at Ka'ena today - picked up remnants of a pallet fire, and talked to some folks who were mudbogging. It seems that many of these guys are receptive when told about the dunes being burial sites. Most people, local or military, just don't know that Ka'ena is a culturally sensitive area.

Since the state & DLNR cannot afford to pay someone to be out there educating those doing the most harm, it is our kuleana, and in our best interest to make sure that we make every effort to do the educating. Maybe we can get a grant from OHA to hire a full-time, on-site, cultural resource person who is responsible for making sure everyone out there gains a better understanding of our wahi pana. We could even work on putting together educational videos and pamphlets to distribute to schools.

As lawai'a we need to remember that protecting the aina, and preventing erosion by ATVs is our responsibility - the resources will not be around for future generations if the soil ends up on the reefs.

So tell everyone you see out there that sand dunes at Ka'ena are for burials - and not to be driven on!

Malama Pono.
Aloha Aina.

Summer

Ka Pa'akai: Supreme Court Decision

2008-12-17T16:41:00.000-10:00

Traditional use of "tents" - 1860

2008-11-24T15:55:00.002-10:00

The next trip (1860) proposed by His Majesty was to the extinct volcano of Healeala, and orders were given that we should all go in boats from Lahaina to Wailuku. It was a beautiful sight; the waters were calm, each boat was ornamented with the Hawaiian flag, the royal standard fluttered from that of the king, and as we coasted along the shores, we could see the people on the land following our course and interested in our progress; there were, I think, twelve boats in all. We arrived without accident, ascended the mountain, and passed a night on the border of the crater. We had our tents, and there was shelter in the caves and crevices for the remainder of the party. All passed off gayly. There was little sleep, however, some of us being afflicted with asthmatic attacks which the excessive rarity of the air at that altitude made very severe. Such was my portion; but as I sat up, not daring to lie down lest I might lose my breath, I could hear the merry sounds of the singing and dancing which from one tent or another was going on around me.

-From Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen, Chapter 3 – Kamehameha IV

Advertiser Article: Hunters Want Warden Fired

2008-11-17T19:20:00.002-10:00

We want to focus on all-around solutions, as the problem extends far beyond this one warden. However, it is a good article overall:
READ IT HERE.

Lauhala Mats, Sea Shelters, Cultural Implements

2008-09-19T09:15:00.004-10:00

From time immemorial, our kupuna would set up traditional sea shelters near the shore during certain months of the year. Most of us did this with our parents, too. Although materials have changed, this practice has been continued through the present.

Today,
Our tarps and tents are our Sea Shelters.
Our cots and blankets are our Lauhala Mats.
Our motor vehicles are our Wa'a.

We do not know what materials our future generations will use to protect themselves and their 'ohana as they practice our culture. But we do know that if we teach them the right ways to live with the land and sea right now, they will be more likely to use those things for the benefit of the 'aina and all of the people who depend upon it for life.

What is PASH?

2008-09-09T07:55:00.009-10:00

The PASH decision is what is referred to as "case law". In other words, the Hawai'i State Supreme Court ruled on laws that already existed, to clarify what those laws really mean. In this case, the court was ruling on Article 12, section 7 of the State constitution, which relates to Hawaiian rights to cultural practice, as well as HRS 1-1 and 7-1 (see links on the right).

According to a brochure from Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation,

"The decision recognized the traditional relationship Native Hawaiians have with the land and the importance of maintaining that relationship."

According to the same brochure, PASH therefore clarified the following:

• "Native Hawaiian Rights cannot be regulated out of existence by unreasonable or burdensome laws, permits or fees." In other words, the State does not have the right to make laws or departmental rules that would cause cultural practices to be extinguished if they were broadly enforced.

• "A Hawaiian tradition should be determined by balancing the reasons for continuing it and the harm it poses". In other words, traditional practices must be "reasonable" for them to be legal, and not cause harm to others. Obviously, you cannot put your neighbor's dog in the imu or exercise "gathering rights" on the lychee tree in somebody's backyard...this is common sense to most Hawaiians, and the court is relying on Hawaiians to exercise this comon sense.
However, according to this ruling you can probably legally gather salt in the places where your grandparents traditionally gathered salt, even if you must cross through undeveloped State or private lands to do so. This may not make "common sense" to some private landowners, but it is rooted in traditional land usage in Hawai'i and fully within the laws of the State of Hawai'i.

The PASH ruling also implies that the protection of Hawaiian traditional and customary rights may extend to traditional practitioners who are not of Hawaiian blood, under certain circumstances.

It should be noted that the PASH decision did not come easily. The Kohanaiki 'Ohana and many others should be credited for the many years of hard work it took to achieve this major victory in 1995.

B.B.'s Story 9-5-8: Ka'ena & Poamoho

2008-09-06T12:07:00.033-10:00

As we have said repeatedly in this blog, we as cultural practitioners are continuing to work toward a positive, cooperative solution with DLNR. However, stories like the following (from last night) make some people seriously wonder whether DLNR is even interested in cooperation...

Last night, on September 5, 2008, B.B. went fishing with his 'ohana and close friends at Ka'ena Point. While fishing, the family was sheltered by a tarp they had erected to protect themselves from the elements. DLNR officers came on ATV's and cited them for having the tarp up. B.B. reports that the officer who cited them, H.H., was very rude to all of them, including the children, who were very upset by the event. They were forced to take down the tarp, as the officer said that he would cite them again if they did not. There was also an implied threat of possible violence in the manner of the officer. They were all "freezing" through the night with no shelter at all, including the children.

"Camping paraphernalia?"
or
Cultural Practice Necessity?

Read B.B.'s full story HERE

B.B. must go to court on October 16th at 9 a.m. for sheltering his family while fishing.

Stories like these are prompting people to ask questions such as this: "Is DOCARE a public agency of resource protection, or an independent militia?" -- Anonymous practitioner from Ka'ena

A Day with the Helenihi 'Ohana: 8/30/8

2008-08-31T22:49:00.031-10:00

The Helenihi family has a long history at Ka'ena point. They have been caring for the land, sea and cultural sites for many generations, and have been especially focusing on trying to educate people about the sites and the care and respect that those places need. Unfortunately, they have also been harassed and cited by DLNR for overnight cultural practice.

Uncle Fred Mullins, po'o of the 'ohana who gathered in Ka'ena this weekend and founder of Kokua Ka'ena, is an awesome repository of cultural and historical knowledge, as well as overall mana'o on how to be right with the land and sacred places.

Uncle Fred's daughter, Summer, cleans the area regularly (yes it's the practitioners, not the city or state, who keep the place clean). Summer is an educator by profession who works especially well with youth.

Unfortunately, their efforts are not recognized by DLNR, who visited after the sun went down...

Note: this video is 17 minutes long. We hope to get a shorter version up soon. Still, it really shows the problem...especially in the very end, when the DLNR officers are driving away from citing the cultural practitioners -- OVER the BURIAL DUNES!!!

Also, remember that this video shows the way that cultural practitioners are treated when video cameras are present. From the stories that are now being collected, it seems that when cameras are not around, a whole new level of intimidation is common...FISHERMEN: CARRY VIDEO CAMERAS!!!

Uncle Fred was cited for sheltering his family (and for bringing his tiny 'ilio, Mahina, with him, who is definitely part of the family!). His court date is OCTOBER 9, 2008 at the WAHIAWA DISTRICT COURT. Please come to support if you can!!

The Problem with DLNR

2008-08-22T11:31:00.008-10:00

There is a serious problem right now between the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the traditional practitioners of Hawaiian culture (specifically the lawai'a, fishermen) at Ka'ena. We would like to find real solutions to these problems...and quickly!

Recreational "four wheelers" have destroyed much of the native habitat, and disrupt the fishermen. When we have tried to complain to DLNR, rather than coming quickly to cite the real offenders, DOCARE officers typically come down much later -- and cite US! Often, these officers have used excessive force, and have not treated us respectfully. They do not know the laws that protect cultural practice. And they are not very good at protecting the resources of the area. We are not blaming anyone for this problem, but it needs to be fixed.

Furthermore, DLNR is interfering with our access in other ways. The traditional access is through the "lower road" makai of the current gate. Geologically, it is obvious that this is the way that people have traveled Ka'ena since ancient times, and there are mo'olelo that support this. Recently, the lower road has been blockaded with stones brought in by DLNR. Although DLNR does not take responsibility for this closure, their intention is to leave it closed. Meanwhile, the other access is through the main DLNR gate, which practitioners have found to be closed when we have gone to do our cultural practice. DLNR has boulders and cement pilings to line the roadway through the area. This has the effect of keeping us from some of our important places, and does not stop the "four-wheelers", who can simply move the barriers or drive over them for fun. We are also concerned that the stones may not have been moved properly, especially since some important stones have been reported to be missing from sacred sites at Ka'ena.

The planned "rodent-proof fence" is also a problem. While we fully support the protection of native birds and plants, we are concerned because native sites and practitioners have not been adequately protected in the process.

We want a solution that protects our access and gives us the power to protect our resources, because we feel that we are the only ones who are able to do so in an effective way. We would like to work with the community and DLNR in building this solution.

As cultural practitioners, it is our job to pass on our traditions to future generations. The way that our kupuna taught us was to take us to the places that they knew well, sometimes for weeks at a time, and let us experience the land first-hand while learning the correct ways to care for it. They would not tell anyone where we were going, or ask anyone's permission, because our traditions say that we are not supposed to tell anyone what we are doing. For this reason especially, a State-issued "permit" system would not work for the cultural practitioners of Ka'ena.

This is how traditional education is done, not through books or school field trips, but through living the practice as it has been done for centuries upon centuries. It is our right and responsibility to continue this educational practice. We always ask for permission on a spiritual level, and this is really the only permission that we need.

A New (and ancient) Vision for Resource Management

2008-08-15T14:00:00.007-10:00

Native Cultural Practitioners have been continuously caring for Hawai'i's resources for generations upon generations. We have been the stewards, managers, and protectors of the 'aina and all of the resources that are a part of its continuation for longer than human memory. Our intention is to perpetuate this unbroken relationship for future generations, for the benefit of all of the people of Hawai'i.

We believe that everyone has a role in resource protection. However, it is the traditional practitioners of Hawaiian culture who have the inherent kuleana (right and duty) as the primary stewards of the 'aina, and this needs to be recognized by everyone who participates in resource management. This kuleana was handed down to us through many generations of people who were intimately connected to the land, and we could not forsake our role as the 'aina's stewards even if we wanted to.

This is not an "ethnic preference" issue. There are 'ohana of diverse ethnic backgrounds who fish and practice in ways that were handed to them by Hawaiians of old, and we know who they are. Many of them are our family -- parents, spouses, hanai children, etc., without whom we cannot realistically practice our culture, which is based in 'ohana. They respect Hawaiians and perpetuate the real culture of Hawai'i, and help us to care for the land. We respect them as well. Their rights to fish and to care for the land as they have been taught by our kupuna should be protected as well.

Our vision is to create working relationships with our communities, political leaders, and organizations and agencies involved in resource protection and cultural perpetuation, in order to ensure the best balance of natural and cultural resource protection, along with the genuine continuation of everyday cultural practice possible.

Ka'ena Cultural Practice Project

Free Our Leina! Kuleana Kakou - can you collect 15 signatures?

The Pohaku are Restless . . .

OIBC Meeting - December 2010 - Ka'ena Fence Project

Oahu Island Burial Council calls for a stop to Kaena Point fence, questions State procedures - The Hawaii Independent :€“ News · Culture · Community

Free Our Leina ka ʻUhane!

Malama Kaʻena, a malama Kaʻena ia ʻoe!

NOAA 10-12-2010.

Public Meetings for the Ocean Resource Management Plan at Kaʻena

Harrassment of Fishermen Continues

Community Dune Restoration Project

Carroll Cox Radio Show 1/3/2010

Carroll Cox Radio Show 12/27/2009

Carroll Cox Radio Show: 12/20/2009

The Fishing Community Speaks Out Against the Camping Paraphernalia Rule

Proposed changes to state fishing rules spur protests

December 29, 2009 - fishing community speaks out against DLNR

Is the proposed Predator Fence at Ka'ena really necessary?

Ka'ena Dune Restoration

Officer Haina Reinstated Despite Complaints of Civil Rights Violations

Submitted Letter to the Editor (Honolulu Advertiser)

Na'au Wrenching Off-road Videos online

Lessons Learned

Working to put a Stop to Destructive Activities at Ka'ena

Native Plants of Ka'ena (more to come)

Lawai'a- Caretakers of the Land and Sea

Malama i ke kai, a malama ke kai ia 'oe

Protecting Our Wahi Pana from Destructive Offroaders

Senate Concurrent Resolution 12

A fast way to pick up nails!

Mudbogging on Superbowl Sunday

Care for the Aina which Provides for You!

Ka Pa'akai: Supreme Court Decision

Traditional use of "tents" - 1860

Advertiser Article: Hunters Want Warden Fired

Lauhala Mats, Sea Shelters, Cultural Implements

What is PASH?

It should be noted that the PASH decision did not come easily. The Kohanaiki 'Ohana and many others should be credited for the many years of hard work it took to achieve this major victory in 1995.

B.B.'s Story 9-5-8: Ka'ena & Poamoho

As we have said repeatedly in this blog, we as cultural practitioners are continuing to work toward a positive, cooperative solution with DLNR. However, stories like the following (from last night) make some people seriously wonder whether DLNR is even interested in cooperation...

"Camping paraphernalia?"orCultural Practice Necessity?

Stories like these are prompting people to ask questions such as this: "Is DOCARE a public agency of resource protection, or an independent militia?" -- Anonymous practitioner from Ka'ena

A Day with the Helenihi 'Ohana: 8/30/8

The Problem with DLNR

A New (and ancient) Vision for Resource Management

"Camping paraphernalia?"
or
Cultural Practice Necessity?