LEKELEKE — Vandals hit Lekeleke Burial Grounds in recent days, spray-painting rocks and littering at the historic site south of Keauhou.
Bright purple, teal, red and white paint rendered into illegible graffiti now mars the rocks along the shoreline traversed by residents and visitors alike as they check out the area more commonly known as “End of the World.” The burial grounds are where 300 warriors who fell in the Kuamoo Battle of 1819 are interred.
David Baldwin said he was devastated when he came across the vandalism and piles of spray paint cans during his Friday “morning patrol” with his dog, Elvis.
“They attacked a very special place, and when we walked up to that it literally took the air out of my lungs. I felt weak. I was so upset,” said Baldwin, who has been coming to the area for decades including the last 10 years with Elvis.
Baldwin is pretty sure the tagging happened Thursday night as he doesn’t remember seeing it Wednesday morning. While tagging has occurred before, it hasn’t been in the burial area.
“It is such a special place, and we do have tourists that go there,” he said. “It is a horrible reflection on us, on what we believe here as people who live here.”
Shortly after finding the vandalism, Baldwin posted photos to the Facebook group Big Island Popo Alert with the comment: “Sad Day in Keauhou! We need reward money to find these punks.”
Within minutes, a firestorm erupted with comments ranging from disgust and finding ways to remove the graffiti to threats against the perpetrators.
“I swear, is nothing untouched anymore!????!!! What has happened to our sweet little Kailua-Kona???? I want to turn back the clock, at least 25 years, none of this,” wrote Christine O’gorman-Embernate.
Added Chris Jr Salinas, “very sacred place out there! this is sad, shame on these punks, need to break those fingers and hands!”
So upset by the graffiti, Baldwin is asking others to match a reward he is offering dollar for dollar. Those interested in taking part in Baldwin’s effort should message him via Facebook.
“I would like to find this, hopefully, young punk and put him on the right track,” he said.
The Hawaii Police Department said Friday it had not received a report about the graffiti. Baldwin said he planned to file one.
The land is owned by Bishop Estate, the trust that funds Kamehameha Schools.
“We are saddened to hear of this reprehensible act committed at a site which is rich in history and which holds deep, significant meaning to the Native Hawaiian culture and people. We appreciate Mr. Baldwin sounding the alert and we intend to take steps necessary to rectify this terrible action,” said Kamehameha spokeswoman Crystal Kua.
The burial grounds are where 300 warriors who fell in the Kuamoo Battle of 1819 are interred.”
For those who are not familiar this battle it was fought to end all mythological worshiping by Kamehameha against those wanting to hold on to the old ways.
If Kamehameha was still around he would round up all these Mauna Kea deity worshipers and have the killed.
now you’re a psychic.. I wish Kamehameha WAS around, then maybe we would not have been used, abused and exploited for so long.
Poor little you.
lol.. at least I know my own history, not like you a foreigner pretending to know mine. Don’t worry about me, I’m a “happy kanaka.” Not so uptight like you guys, being so sarcastic all time.. you’re all entertaining, comical to say the least.. hahaha!
At some point you have to forgive and put these thing in the past. Atrocities that happened hundreds of years ago would never happen in the US today. You have a good life here I am sure, be thankful for what you have. If you do not heal yourself than that is on you. Remember the past and move on life is short.
The take away is that this article purposely did not explain why this “battle” was fought, by whom, and the outcome. Why? Because it goes against the “mythological worship is part of our culture” claims by folks today in the sovereignty fringe for political gain. The Mauna Kea obstruction by “cultural practitioners” is a good example.
But, mythological worship has not been part of their “culture” for 200 years.
Who said anything about not forgiving the fools of the past? This is what you assume, I for one have accepted the truth of our past. And these disparities did not happen “hundreds of years ago,” our Queen was imprisoned in 1893, that is 125 years ago.
And our language, history, culture and traditions were suppressed for decades, my grandmother told me that if they were caught speaking Hawaiian in school they would get beatings. This was happening up until the 50’s and prejudice still remains against Hawaiian Kingdom and their families today.
We’re simply trying to get control over our own lands that the state is mismanaging and leasing out to those who are destroying it. We are concerned about what’s going on with our islands, we want to help to heal our lands and waters.
Don’t worry about us not forgetting the past, this is what keeps us moving on in the right direction.
“Ua mau ke ea o ka aina ika pono” I live it.
“He Hawaii Au Mau A Mau” I am Hawaiian Forever.
And the Hawaiian Kingdom still exists, no bitterness from me. And not for many of those who are fighting to restore our nation.
I think it’s time for America to move on and remember what they did and return what they have stolen. Make everything right for an entire “Nation of People.”
We need the USA to release our lands and our Kingdom gold which is much more than all the gold in fort knox. I don’t expect anyone to believe it, but we have enough gold to pay off the American Debt.
Research “Karen Hudes” she was the Senior Corporation Council (Attorney) for The World Bank, worked there for more than 20 years and she is now a “whistleblower.” She has been on point on many issues for years that I’ve been watching her. She says there’s 170,000 tons of Hawaiian Kingdom Gold held in a vault that no one can touch right now because it doesn’t belong to America or the fake state of Hawaii.
I appreciate your passion and love of the Hawaiian people as I do. It seems you want it both ways with Karen Hudes doing your work for you and she is not really “Hawaiian”, this should be done solely by Hawaiians if you want to properly succeed from the USA. It seems most of the people in Hawaii want the assistance the US Government provides financially and militarily to our state. Just think if the US were to allow this to happen (and it will not) think of how the Chinese would treat you? Because I am sure they would move in and take the Islands in a heartbeat!
I would suggest getting some help via Obama Care for your anger.
Buds4All
I keep telling you and other’s, I have zero anger towards ignorant people who are brainwashed by their governments indoctrination, assimilation and control over you and other’s.
I’m just trying to “Eaducate people like you who don’t know the truth,” and the saying “the truth hurts, and sometimes the truth feels like hatred when you are in denial.”
What I said is true, because you DO ASSUME that I am angry, too funny. “ASS – U – ME – ING” will make you look like the fool ever single time. LOL.
The last thing I need is another mother scolding or trying to educate me, so you may stop. I have done fine in this world by working hard. My home in town is beautiful and I enjoy my environment and think if by some chance the US government were to surrender HI back to you who can’t spell ( “Eaducate people like you who don’t know the truth,” ) it would be a complete financial disaster! So take your meds and chill, it will all be OK! BTW do you work for WHT with your spelling error above I thought you might be the editor?
“Ea” means “Sovereign” so I meant to spell educate that way, “Eaducate.”
It’s on our Sovereignty Tee-Shirts.. you see why I say you’re so entertaining, uptight, angry and yet say I am, and other pro-sovereignty people are? Don’t worry about my spelling dear, I think you have a lot more to learn in this life other than teaching me about “our acronyms or word contractions.”
Thanks mom you taught me a lesson. But if you want a “Sovereignty” perhaps you should move to another country and stop milking our system. Its dead beats like you that bring down our country and society.
We are already sovereign!
You carry the burden of proof and the US has none, that is why your POTUS Clinton Signed an “Apology Bill to the Hawaiian Kingdom and our People.”
United States Public Law 103- 150
The Apology Resolution
Passed by Congress and Signed by President William J Clinton
November 23, 1993
The United States are the ones who are MILKING the Hawaiian Kingdom. The HK is not milking anyone. “Our lands” (our trust, our 1.8 million acres of Crown lands) are being destroyed by the US Military Complex, an entire island has been destroyed and Pohakuloa which is 5x the area of Kahoolawe is destroyed! And other lands poisoned by big AG etc., For $1 a year?
The USA is MILKING the BENEFICIARIES to these KINGDOM LANDS and destroying our lands and waters.
You have everything backwards, you are a part of the problem here and I can’t wait till you have to leave our country because of your hateful sentiments towards our Country, “The Hawaiian Nation.”
The “Truth” is the TRUTH, please refer to Presidents Clinton’s Apology to the Hawaiian People for the THEFT of a NATION.
Thank you, try learning the truth for a change, step outside of your closed box and see some light once in a while. Clinton did.
I am absolutely not a dead beat, you have no clue who I am! I have NEVER relied on the American or Fake State government for anything! You are definitely oppressive.
Buds4All
Very telling that you have no clue what “Eaducate” means in Hawaii.
You obviously know nothing about our Aloha Aina Mission, our purpose. You know nothing and that is so funny that you pretend to know so much. lololol……
Yep, the same punks that burn out everywhere in the middle of the night, unabated. Where is the HPD? And who are these punks parents? More punks, guaranz.
How about HPD taking the spray cans and looking for finger prints ??
At press time, per the article, the witness had not filed a complaint with HPD? The real question begging for an answer: Why not? It goes to show where priorities are: Social Media before police. Hmmm.
It has been years since I have been there. Back then it had been used a Garbage dump and was several feet thick with trash & Garbage !! Is that still the case ??
Install a security cam for the parking lot there . Smile , you are on camera .
disgusting…..catch these scumbags……and dispose of them..
Teal Paint….how much of that is sold. Lowes/HomeDepot/ACE should be able to track this no? This tagging crap has to be ended quickly!