KAILUA-KONA — The last five percent has been a struggle.
A nonprofit organization seeking to buy and preserve the historic Kuamoo battlefield and burial ground in Keauhou has missed two deadlines to finalize the deal. But the goal is close.
Now, Aloha Kuamoo Aina and The Trust For Public Land Hawaii are rallying to raise the last $200,000 needed to buy the $4.25 million, 47-acre tract, which has fallen into disrepair. The site marks the final battle over the abolishment of the kapu system, an 1819 clash that ended the life of Chief Kekuaokalani, his wife Chiefess Manono and 300 other Hawaiians.
Manono is famed to have uttered with her dying breath “Malama ko aloha,” a plea to both sides to keep their love of one another, whatever battles or obstacles they might face.
The land’s owner, Margaret Schauttauer, would rather see the revered but neglected ground in the hands of a nonprofit than a developer. But the clock is ticking. Schauttauer is in her 90s and there is some urgency for her to settle her estate, said Leslie Uptain, director of philanthropy for the land trust. A June 30 deadline was pushed to Aug. 30.
“There is so much important history at Kuamoo,” Schauttauer said. “I have always wanted this to be preserved and shared.”
Aloha Kuamoo Aina is a Hawai Island nonprofit founded by the family of entertainer Keola Beamer. The Trust For Public Land has helped steward the purchase, but AKA will control and oversee the property. Chief in its plan is the creation of an education center for place-based learning and the restoration of graves, heiau, stone walls and native vegetation, all of which was degraded by decades of grazing.
Once the purchase is complete, AKA plans to draw the public into the creation of a vision and plan for the site.
Numerous businesses and other donors have contributed to the cause, including matches for gifts from $5,000 to $25,000 from the Dorrance Family Foundation, $10,000 from KTA Super Stores and a $20,000 pledge from Big Island Toyota. The Kona dealership will hold a holiday hoolaulea on Dec. 19, with a guest performance by Keola Beamer.
A major piece of the purchase price was met with a $3 million grant in December 2013 from the state Legacy Land Conservation Program. Buoyed by another $920,000 from other donors, The Trust For Public Land and the owner entered into a purchase agreement in January 2014.
The appraisal, environmental survey and title review have been completed, said Lea Hong, Hawaii director for the land trust.
“We are hoping to complete the effort and purchase the property by the end of November,” Hong said.
Uptain said that no conversations about extensions were held after the third one was given.
“We just hope we don’t have to have that conversation,” Uptain said. “We keep getting smaller gifts here and there. But with these things it’s usually in the last weeks that people come out of the woodwork. We really hope that’s what happens here.”
Info: www.ProtectKuamoo.org, The Trust For Public Land Hawaii, 808-524-8694
