Lineal descendants of the region that now includes the 1,550-acre Hokulia development congregated near the gate to the luxury project on Monday, claiming the developers have failed to honor court orders for treatment of burial sites.
LeeAnn Leslie, organizer of the protest, said Hokulia has allowed construction to go on without an archaeological monitor, used herbicides to maintain burials and failed to consult with descendants on treatment of the sites as required by a 2006 settlement agreement. About 40 people attended the protest through the first part of the day. Fifteen protesters were present around 1:30 p.m.
“All my kids are descendants of this place,” said Conrad Gomes, holding a sign that read “Malama Na Iwi Kupuna.” “I’m here to protect their rights and their descendants and make sure they know how to stand up for their culture.”
Leslie’s son, Kawika Leslie, 7, broke out in a severe rash on his legs after wearing shorts on his first visit to burials south of Kailua-Kona on June 4, said Leslie, who also displayed a rash on her shins and said other visitors in the group had reactions as well. She believed the reactions were caused when they moved through dry shrubs that had been killed by herbicide.
“It’s not just about bones or about consultations. It’s about conduct,” Leslie said.
State Department of Land and Natural Resources spokeswoman Deborah Ward said the department is checking into the allegations. Ward said in an email that she was waiting for a response from the State Historic Preservation Division on questions from West Hawaii Today.
Burials are continuing to be found at the property and protections for them have not been put in place, Leslie said.
“There are burial sites that have been under tarps for 13 years,” she said.
Maintaining burials with herbicides is not an approved treatment plan and has led to soil erosion, Leslie said.
“I wanted to bring the descendants and community to build an awareness of what is going on in their front yards,” she said.
Calls to Hokulia parent company SunChase Holdings Inc., including attempts to reach SunChase Vice President Duane Grimsman and director of development Eric Bose, were not immediately returned Monday afternoon.