Hawaii County on Tuesday took a step toward purchasing land in Ka‘u that once hosted Makahiki events.
County Council members, meeting as the Finance Committee, advanced a resolution that would authorize negotiations to acquire the 13 acres assessed at $179,000. The property is located along Mamalahoa Highway near Naalehu and once was used for cattle grazing, according to testifiers.
But, most significantly, it was a gathering place for Native Hawaiians who hosted Makahiki events, which honored the god Lono, there. During this festival, war was prohibited and competitive games were hosted.
“Ironically, we are about to begin Makahiki at the end of this month,” said Keoni Fox, while speaking through a videofeed from Ka‘u. “It’s a time of feast and festivity.”
Fox said he is hoping to revive Makahiki events at the site.
If approved, the land would be purchased using the county’s Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund.
But there were questions from council members Dru Kanuha and Danny Paleka regarding whether the purchase is necessary since the site is eligible to be listed on the historic registry. Both said they support protecting the site.
The commission that oversees the public access fund ranked the property, known as Kahua Olohu, as its 11th priority in its 2014 report.
“The location of very few Makahiki grounds are known; this site has been positively identified as being a famous bowling (ulu maika) and dart sliding (pahee) field,” the report said.
Ka‘u Councilwoman Maile David, who introduced the resolution, said the property once was proposed as the site for a wastewater treatment plant.
“This is a unique area that deserves saving and deserves preserving as only one of two Makahiki sites known in this state,” she said.
The report said the property is for sale and owners James and Elizabeth Weatherford are anxious to work with the county.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.