It has been a long road — but we’re almost there. We appreciate the community’s patience as the Federal Highways Administration and Hawaii Department of Transportation engaged in consultation with Native Hawaiian organizations on the impact of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway Widening Project on our treasured cultural and historic sites, which the agencies are required to do by law.
We acknowledge the benefit of this project for our community, no one wants to sit in ever-increasing traffic congestion and therefore we do regret that this consultation process has taken nearly two years. However, we strongly believe that the Federal Highways Administration, Hawaii DOT, Native Hawaiian organizations and all interested parties required this much time to engage in meaningful consultation and to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act, the National Environmental Protection Act, as well as the state of Hawaii’s burial and historic preservation laws.
As Native Hawaiians, we sincerely believe that it is our kuleana to malama Hawaii Nei — not only our land, ocean and natural resources, but also our diminishing cultural resources and our rich historical legacy. This history includes the important sites and trails that mark the existence of a vibrant community in Kona long before automobiles and paved highways. Our primary purpose for raising our voices in this consultation process was to identify, protect and preserve these cultural and historical resources, and to perpetuate the enduring cultural practices of the Kekaha region. Fulfilling this kuleana is critical to sustaining our heritage and, significantly, protecting our identity. These few remaining cultural and historical resources provide inspiration for us in perpetuating a culture that has been threatened by the increasing pressure for more development. We must not allow continued development to diminish, degrade and destroy our cultural landscape and traditional practices. We must strive for a careful balance that is pono to preserve the past while providing for the future.
The Native Hawaiian organizations are thankful for the opportunity for meaningful consultation and appreciate that all parties involved have worked diligently with respect to one another and to this particular project. We hope that the painful-turned-productive process will stand as an effective and enduring example for all parties who may engage in future federal undertakings requiring consultation with Native Hawaiin organizations.
In conclusion, Makani Hou o Kaloko-Honokohau wishes to acknowledge and extend a warm mahalo nui loa to the Kona Hawaiian Civic Club, Royal Order of Kamehameha Moku O Kona, Nakoa Foundation and particularly to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for their support in what we believe has been a very valuable experience for both Native Hawaiians and government agencies.
Fred Keakaokalani Cachola is the president and Isaac “Paka” Harp is the vice president of Makani Hou o Kaloko-Honokohau.
Viewpoint articles are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of West Hawaii Today.