DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

LINDA LINGLE

GOVERNOR

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PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON

Phone: (808) 587-0401

Fax: (808) 587-0390

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For Immediate Release: March 5, 2007

DLNR To Participate In Historic Preservation Awareness Day

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will participate in Historic Preservation Awareness Day “Keep Hawai‘i Hawai‘i,” from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at the Hawai‘i State Capitol, 4th floor lanai areas. The event is co-sponsored by the Heritage Caucus 2007 and Historic Hawai‘i Foundation. The public is invited to attend at no charge.

The purpose of this event is to demonstrate how integral historic preservation is to the state’s economy and long term community well-being, by showcasing programs and products that illustrate how preservation is making a difference in Hawaii.

“The DLNR will showcase historic preservation projects of its Historic Preservation and its State Parks divisions that illustrate the positive impact that preservation of our cultural and historical resources is having in Hawai‘i,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson..

The six examples featured are: Mo‘okini Luakini Heiau in North Kohala, Hawai‘i; ‘Ewa Villages, O‘ahu; Kam Mon Store Kahana Valley Visitor Center, O‘ahu; Waimea Canyon and Koke‘e State Parks historic recreation-residences, Kaua‘i; Nualolo Kai archaeological site, Na Pali Coast State Park, Kaua’i; and Kiholo Bay archaeological sites, Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a, North Kona, Hawai‘i.

Mo‘okini Luakini Heiau was built by ancient Hawaiians more than 1,500 years ago on the slopes of the North Kohala Coast. It is a testament to their aspirations, and to the strength of the state’s commitment to preserve Hawaiian culture. It has the distinction of being one of the first Hawaii sites ever entered in the National Register of Historic Places and to be designated a National Historic Landmark

The heiau measures roughly 250 feet by 125 feet, with walls up to 30 feet high in some places. Stewardship of the heiau has been passed down through a single family lineage, represented today by Kahuna Nui Leimomi Mo‘okini Lum.

Originally the heiau was reserved exclusively for Hawai‘i’s ali‘i nui (kings and chiefs), but in 1977 Lum rededicated the heiau to the children of Hawai‘i. Lum now holds a Children’s Day every November that has grown to include children from all over the world. In the past 30 years over 100,000 children have had the opportunity to visit Mo‘okini Heiau. She continues to work to further the educational opportunities for people to experience the history of this sacred site.

During its operation, ‘Ewa Sugar Plantation built more than 1,200 residences in eight villages (‘Ewa Villages) that were part of a thriving community. Preserved today as a reminder of Hawai‘i’s plantation era are three of these villages, the plantation manager’s residence, remnants of the plantation’s mill, and the O‘ahu Railway & Land Co. railroad tracks.

The State Historic Preservation Division recently applied for a Preserve America grant of $51,000 to do a feasibility study to use the former manager’s residence as a museum, and create an open market in the mill area.

If this project can be realized, it may create a catalyst for economic development in the area and encourage the preservation of a site that is pivotal part of Hawai‘i’s heritage.

DLNR’s Division of State Parks Interpretive Program will display exhibit panels on four colorful components of State Parks’ historic preservation efforts:

Kam Mon Store Kahana Visitor Center, ‘Ahupua‘a O Kahana State Park, O‘ahu.
A close replica of the historic Kam Mon store is nearing completion at Kahana. The store was once a focal point of this rural community. Designed to maintain the historic character of Kahana and its landscape, the replica will serve as a visitor center and house various interpretive exhibits illustrating and discussing the history and cultural past of the ‘ahupua‘a.

Design Standards and Guidelines for Historic Recreation-Residences, Waimea Canyon and Koke‘e State Parks, Kaua‘i. State Parks will rely on design standards and guidelines to help preserve the historic character of the recreation residence camp lots at Koke‘e, Halemanu, and Pu‘u ka Pele. Of the 108 recreation residences and camp facilities located within the camp lots, 71 are contributing properties to the Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon Recreation Residence Historic District. The design standards and guidelines will assist lessees of these lots and DLNR in efforts to preserve and rehabilitate these unique examples of Hawai‘i's architectural and landscape history. Mason Architects is developing the standards, which have been greatly aided by previous studies supported by the Koke‘e Leaseholders Association, Hui o Laka and State Parks. A discussion of this process and examples of the residences and their settings will be exhibited.

Archaeological Site Mapping at Nualolo Kai, Na Pali State Park, Kauai: Over the past 10 years, State Parks has been systematically documenting and mapping archaeological sites at Nualolo Kai, a coastal flat isolated by high, dramatic cliffs. This effort has been undertaken in partnership with the Na Pali Coast ‘Ohana, who help facilitated summer access trips with volunteers to help clear and map sites. Such documentation provides baseline data needed for general cultural resource management efforts and for current plans to stabilize and reconstruct features within an massive complex of stone terraces, platforms, and walls located on the flat. Maps prepared of this site will be exhibited. Also discussed will be the recent use of LIDAR technology to obtain highly precise, three dimensional maps of the complex.

Kiholo Bay Archaeological Studies, Pu‘uwa‘wa‘a, North Kona, Hawaii Island. State Parks archaeologists have conducted an inventory survey of archaeological sites, including subsurface testing, along a portion of Kiholo Bay's coastline. The study is to help assess park user impacts on cultural resources and provide baseline data to determine where on-going and projected park uses, including potential park facilities, may or may not be appropriate. These efforts will contribute to the broader, long-range planning efforts projected for 2009 when a master plan will hopefully be developed for the state park lands at Kiholo Bay. Photographs of survey work and its setting will be shown.

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For more information, media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320