An
Hawaiian's view of the Hanapepe Ahupua'a
by Juan Wilson on 14 March 2006
I live amongst
the taro fields in Hanapepe Valley on the island of Kauai, but I'm
not Hawaiian. I've only been here 5 years. My neighbor, Ben Kali,
lives across the street and he is Hawaiian. Ben's property has been
the Kali family homestead for over 100 years. Ben tells me that
his family history goes back far into the past in our valley. I
have no reason to doubt him.
We are both
of age to have fought in the early days of the Vietnam War. I didn't
- he did. While I was going to college in New York City and protesting
the war, Ben was "in country" as part of the Army artillery.
His hearing was destroyed as a result, but he still flies an American
flag on his truck.
Ben straddles
two worlds. On one hand he is a patriotic American who has embraced
20th century American technology of trucks, tractors and outdoor
equipment; on the other hand he carries on his family's tradition
of gathering salt at Salt Pond and tending what he sees as sacred
sites Puolo Point - Salt Pond Area.
For years Ben
has cared for a sign that he put up to protect the Kiawe forest
that stretches along Lolokai Road, on the way down to Salt Pond
Beach Park. If you've been there you have probably seen it.
Recently Ben
came over to my place. I have a computer and printer and he needed
my help to write a document he wanted to present to Linda Lingle,
Bryan Baptiste and others who he felt were threatening the well
being of Hanapepe as it reaches the ocean.
Ben explained
to me that he wanted to make the case that the authority of the
Kingdom of Hawaii was not nullified when the US illegally overthrew
it in 1893 and that the 1993 "Apology Bill" recognized
that fact. In addition, the traditional local authority of Kingdom
of Kauai was still intact and that the traditional land divisions
of ahupua'a still had meaning and force.
Moreover, Ben
explained that Salt Pond and Puolo Point were part of the ahupua'a
of Hanapepe Valley that includes the watershed of the Hanapepe River
and adjacent minor streams and that he was the eldest representative
of of the ancient Hawaiians who lived in the valley.
Recently Ben
has been alarmed by what he perceives as threats to the health and
well being of the island due to greed and uncontrolled development.
He wants to defend Hanapepe from the destruction he sees coming.
You can see
a copy of his letter as a PDF here,
or read the text here.
I am
Benjamin Kap’oiwa Kekui Kali Sr.
Identified by Serial 00071 Kingdom of Hawaii,
Kauai (5302). I am the eldest descendent of
a line of Hawaiian alii who are caretakers of the ai’na
of Onipa’a, Aupuni, au o Hanapepe Pa’uwai Ho’omana
(The bio-regional watershed of the Hanapepe River).
I, and
my ancestors, were born and have lived our lives in the
Ahupua’a of Hanapepe. I am a person called a papa
kanaka kahuna - a person in communication with intermediate
messengers to the spirit world. I have direct spiritual
connections with my ancestors, and they are not at rest.
I, and my ancestors, have tended and honored the sacred
places in the Hanapepe Ahupua’a. All my life I have
worked in the Hanapepe Salt Ponds at the same place my ancestors
collected their salt. I have spent many years of my life
preserving the Kiawe Forest that surrounds and protects
the Salt Ponds from the dust and poison of the cane fields
and highway.
This Kiawe Forest is also a sacred barrier between the living
and the dead. It separates the playground of the public
Salt Pond Beach Park from the many sacred burial grounds
to the north and east that include the bones of Portugese,
Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiians, as well as fallen war heroes.
For many years I have maintained a heiau in the Kiawe Forest
on the north side of Lokokai Road between the Chinese Cemetery
and what used to be the Humane Society (TMK#4-1-8-08:018).
On repeated occasions the agents of the County of Kauai
have attempted to cut down this forest (extending to TMK#4-1-8-08:017)
in the name of progress, safety or security. I have worked
against this destruction and it has not happened yet. Years
ago I have placed a sign there reading.
“CULTURAL RESERVE. SAVE OUR KIAWE TREES.
NATIVE CEDED HAWAIIAN LAND.
THESE TREES PROTECT OUR SALT PANS.
WOOD TO COOK OUR FOOD.
THAT IS A HEIAU BACK THERE.
IN GOD WE TRUST. LET JUSTICE PREVAIL”
Whereas, it has been recognized, by an act of the United
States Congress (US Public Law 103-150) that the Kingdom
of Hawaii was illegally overthrow of on January 17, 1893
and that the Kingdom has been unlawfully subjected to the
De Facto State of Hawaii since 23 November 1993 and whereas,
De Jure Kingdom of Hawaii recognizes the authority of the
traditional bio-regional land authorities, and specifically
the Onipa’a, Aupuni, au o Hanapepe Pa’uwai Ho’omana
(or Ahupua’a of Hanapepe).
Be it understood that destructive acts to the aina within
the Ahupua’a of Hanapepe by the De Facto State of
Hawaii (its departments, agencies or county representatives)
are considered criminal acts against the De Jure Kingdom
of Hawaii and must be halted. The De Facto State of Hawaii
has brought only ruin to the people, the culture and the
ecology of the Hawaiian Islands.
Heed this plea before it is too late!
By the
Authority of the Onipa’a, Aupuni,
au o Hanapepe Pa’uwai Ho’omana
Cease
and desist cutting, clearing or harming this sacred site!
Benjamin
Kap’oiwa Kekui Kali Sr.
Signed this 4th day of March, 2006
at Akea Road, Hanapepe Valley, Kauai
Ali’i
au Moku Kanaka Maoli, the caretaker of the ai’na of
our Ancestors, Onipa’a, Aupuni, au o Hanapepe Pa’uwai
Ho’omana
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See also: Island
Breath: Puolo Point Plan
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