“Hawaii Superferry has made the decision that in consideration for the safety of the community, our passengers and our dedicated employees, the resumption of service to Kaua’i will be delayed to an unspecified future date. The long-term perspective of the company is that a temporary delay serves the community best.”
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The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) announced the formation of Hi’ilei Aloha , a new Llimited Liability company created for the management of Waimea Valley, and announced the new director today.
Hi’ilei Aloha — OHA’s newly created nonprofit limited liability corporation — will be headed by former Honolulu City Council chairman Gary Gill. Mr. Gill most recently was program coordinator of the Kokua Kalihi Valley Community Health Clinic and also has been deputy director for environmental health at the state Department of Health and director of the State Office of Environmental Quality Control.
Hi’ilei Aloha means "to carry, care for and nurture lovingly," OHA chairwoman Haunani Apoliona said yesterday in making the announcement.
"This day marks a milestone for OHA and is solid demonstration of OHA’s commitment to our kuleana of responsible stewardship, malama ‘aina," Apoliona said. "We ask for the continued support from all of you in our ongoing efforts to do right by this place, to protect and manage this legacy of our ancestors for today and for tomorrow."
Yesterday’s announcement by OHA gave a new direction for protection and preservation of Waimea Valley, which has extensive archeological holdings, including graves, house sites and agricultural hitory. For at least 700 years, the valley has been considered a sacred "valley of the priests" beginning in the late 11th century.
CHANGING HANDS
In modern times, unlike the rest of Oahu, Waimea Valley remains an intact ahupua’a, and has survived several ownership changes and attempts at division and development.
Waimea Valley’s preservation was a historic effort between organizing community members, the CIty of Honolulu and a multi-party fund raising partnership involving OHA, the city, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, U.S. Army and National Audubon Society. Some credit the "mana" of the valley itself for surviving attempts at subdivision, and many others recognize the intense grass roots efforts of local families, North Shore communities and Oahu organizations combined efforts to reverse a city council decision to subdivide the property.
In 2001, New York investor and theme-park developer Christian Wolffer put the valley under bankruptcy protection. The City and County of Honolulu took possession of Waimea Valley through condemnation and in 2003 awarded a temporary lease to the National Audubon Society.
The National Audubon Society has been running what’s now called the Waimea Valley Audubon Center for the last four years but expects to cease operations at the end of January, said Diana King, the center’s interim director.
During Waimea Valley’s peak years, as many as 2,000 people per day visited the 1,875-acre park. But attendance has dropped to as few as 300 to 400 visitors per day, and the roads and buildings have fallen into disrepair, said Jonathan Scheuer, director of land management hale for OHA.
Both OHA and the Audubon Society yesterday declined to specify what led the National Audubon Society to pull out of negotiations in January for a long-term lease to continue managing the valley.
"It’s time to move on," King said. "It’s unfortunate that it didn’t work out. It’s sad to leave such a special place. But we’re honored to have played a part in safeguarding the valley, and we’re optimistic about the future."
King said "repaving the road, repairing the sewage treatment plant, the roofs, buildings, railings — all of that needs attention."
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED
Audubon officials estimate that Waimea Valley’s operations will continue to lose about $500,000 per year, King said.
"The site has been run on a month-to-month basis for so long that the capital needs are significant," she said. "But we have been closing that gap through charitable donations, grants, outside contracts, things of that nature."
OHA administrator Clyde Namu’o said OHA trustees will be asked to fund $1 million for each of the next five years to keep Waimea Valley running and make needed improvements.
Admission fees currently range from $3 to $8 and could be considered for possible increases in the future, Namu’o said.
Waimea Valley Audubon Center’s 43 full- and part-time employees were notified of the changes yesterday morning and will be asked to reapply for their jobs with Hi’ilei Aloha.
The center also receives help from about 500 volunteers, Namu’o said.
"In the last couple of years, it has been allowed to become dilapidated — from the bathrooms to the trees," said Butch Helemano, a Native Hawaiian minister in the area around Waimea Valley who was pleased with yesterday’s announcement. "As a person with a lineal descent bloodline to the area, it was quite embarrassing. That’s all going to change now."
Kawika Au, a longtime Waimea Valley volunteer, met Gill yesterday and called him and the new OHA entity "a great choice. It’s just what the valley needs."
WAIMEA VALLEY
• 1,875-acres at 59-864 Kamehameha Highway
• Admission: Toddlers under 4 — free; children 4 to 12 — $5 (general), $3 (kama’aina and military); adults — $8 (general); $5 (kama’aina and military); seniors 60 and older — $5 (general), $3 (kama’aina), $5 (military)
• 78 archeological sites identified in a 2005 study by Archeological Consultants of the Pacific.
• 5,000 species of tropical plants in the Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
• 35-foot Waihi falls (commonly known as Waimea Falls).
• Four out of five species of Hawaiian native freshwater fish, and a variety of native insects.
• Fiscal year 2005 revenue: $2.366 million; 2005 expenses: $2.367 million
• Fiscal year 2006 revenue (6 months): $636,274; Fiscal year 2006 expenses: $860,483.
THE VALLEY’S HISTORY
Waimea Valley is established as an important ahupua’a, a mountain to sea land division containing necessary natural resources to sustain a substantial number of residents.
• Beginning late 11th century: O’ahu ruler Kamapua’a gives control of the valley to the Pa’ao line of kahuna nui — high priests — to serve as their spiritual headquarters.
• Middle 1700s: O’ahu ruler Kahahana constructs two main heiau, or sacred temples, partly with the intent of furthering spiritual communication with the great chief Kekaulike of Kaua’i.
• Late 1700s: After conquest of O’ahu, Kamehameha I acknowledges the importance of Waimea Valley by placing its control in the hands of his top spiritual adviser Hewahewa, also the last kahuna nui in the Pa’ao line.
• 1848: Nearly eight centuries of kahuna stewardship ends with the mahele land division. Private ownership first goes to granddaughter of Hewahewa.
• Late 1800s: Native Hawaiian title to Waimea Valley ends in foreclosure. Foreign interests take over in a sequence of land auctions.
• 1894 to 1898: Series of floods devastate the valley including homes and crops of approximately 1,000 Native Hawaiians.
• 1929: Castle & Cook pineapple and sugar company completes purchase of Waimea and leases land to cattle ranchers.
• 1940s: After attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. military establishes temporary installations in the valley.
• 1970s through mid 1990s: Bishop Corporation (no affiliation with Bishop Estate) purchases Waimea for $355,000 and establishes Waimea Falls Park. For a 25-year period under the ownership of the Pietsch family, the valley is a commercial park with a restaurant and entertainment. A 150-acre arboretum and botanical garden is established with native and endangered Hawaiian plants, as well as exotic species. During peak commercial success, park attendance averages 2,000 per day.
• 1996 through 2000: New York investor and theme-park developer Christian Wolffer assumes previous owner’s mortgage and develops an "adventure park," but park attendance is in decline. Investor Wolffer puts valley up for sale at $25 million, later reduced to $19 million.
• 2000: Hawai’i residents form Stewards of Waimea Valley to promote valley preservation and prevent further development. Honolulu City Council passes a resolution requesting mayor to move forward on acquiring the park.
• 2001: Investor Wolffer places the valley under bankruptcy protection. A New York bankruptcy court gives the city permission to proceed with condemnation process to purchase the property.
• 2002 to 2003: City takes possession of the property through condemnation and awards a lease to the National Audubon Society, which begins management of an ecological and cultural visitor center at Waimea Valley.
• November 2005: Wolffer makes an offer in the condemnation action and offers to settle with the city by dividing the ownership of the valley under a plan that would enable his establishment of a commercial attractions park and residential subdivision. City Council gives preliminary approval to the deal.
• December 2005: Wolffer discloses plan to add luxury housing to Waimea Valley parcels. OHA joins with other city, state, federal and private agencies to consider a plan for purchasing Waimea Valley with pooled resources.
• 2006: Under terms of a court settlement, the valley is purchased by a partnership of OHA, the city, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, U.S. Army and the National Audubon Society, with the title passing to OHA.
• Yesterday: OHA announces it will form a limited liability corporation, named Hi’ilei Aloha.
Source: Office of Hawaiian Affairs
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Make family and friends time active time. Enroll in a parent-child swim or gymnastics class; take the kids to the park and make an obstacle course for yourself out of the playground; make a date with your spouse to take short after-dinner strolls; get together with a co-worker for a quick lunch plus some brisk window shopping.“Remember, when you exercise consistently, you’ll have something that’s truly beneficial for your heart and your soul.”
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Moanalua Gardens Foundation was awarded $30,000 from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to support environmental education projects.”We are pleased to be working with Moanalua Gardens to help educate students and communities about environmental issues that affect our lives,” said Kathleen Johnson, public affairs division director of the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region.
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HONOLULU — The Aloha Medical Mission will send 15 doctors, nurses and support staff to Myanmar this month despite political unrest and a violent government crackdown on demonstrations in the country.The Hawaii group of volunteers leaves for the Southeast Asian nation in mid-October,
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The Hawaii Healing Garden and Ethnobotanical Festival is coming to the Big Island Nov 2 & 3 in the third leg of a statewide festival that celebrates Hawaii’s heritage of traditional healing and medicinal plants.
The Healing Garden Festival starts at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort on Friday Nov 2 from 9-5 with a full day of lectures, hands-on presentations, cooking demonstrations, children’s programs, and Hawaii Health Guide’s sponsored Health Expo featuring botanical products and local health pracittioners.
Speakers from across the state will gather at the Outrigger Keauhou to share information about Ayurvedic healing practices, Traditional Chinese herbal medicine and cooking demonstration, Hawaiian La’au lapa’au and Polynesian traditional healing, and an introduction on the uses of FIlipino medicinal plants that grow in Hawaii.
The Festival and Health Expo are open to the general public and a small fee covers all speakers and events. A special evening performance of " Laka is the Forest" includes hula and chants and illustrates the profound and sacred relationship to Hawaii’s upland native forest.
A special healthy lei -making contest with Medicinal, Edible, Recycled and Aromatherapy leis features a $100 first prize. Leis will be sold at a silent auction to benefit the Hawaii Health Guide Health & Wellness Scholarship Fund and benefits students studying Health & Wellness professions in Hawaii.
The Healing Garden Festival continues on Saturday November 3 in collaboration with the Amy Greenwell Botanical Garden Arbor Day Celebration and annual Tree Giveaway. The Healing Garden Festival starts at 8:30 am. and features organic gardening tips, native plant sale, feng shui for the garden, botanical tour, traditional uses of Hawaiian Bamboo such as nose flutes, awa (kava) and taro poi pounding and community information booths and family activities.
More info on lei contest, and expo booth registration and speaker bios can go on-line to www.HawaiiHealthGuide.com or call (808) 638-0888.
The Hawaii Healing Garden Festival will conclude its State-wide tour on Maui on Dec 1 at the Maui Community College
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HAWAII— Hawaii will join with other 18 states to participate in a comprehensive health study.
1,000 children from diverse areas on Oahu will be selected to participate to help researchers understand how children’s environment and genes affect their health and is part of a project to monitor 100,000 children nationwide from the mother’s pregnancy to the child’s 21st birthday.
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A statewide celebration of multi-cultural medicinal and nutritional plants of Hawaii. Polynesian, Hawaiian, Ayurvedic, Chinese, Filipino, cultural practitioners and ethno-botanists, will share their knowledge of Hawaii’s rich botanical treasures. Featuring lectures, tours, workshops, adult and children’s programs, a Healing Arts Fair and cultural entertainment.
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Yoga has become a popular form of exercise. Yoga classes are held in places you might not expect to find them - on Wall Street, in gyms training professional athletes, in spas frequented by Hollywood stars, as well as the local YMCA and YWCA centers.
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