Kaʻū News Briefs April 18, 2024

Kaunāmano between Honu‘apo and Nāʻālehu was seen in this real estate listing for $11.5 million in 2015 but has been conserved and is the subject of a community input stewardship meeting this Saturday at Kahuku Ranch Cabins at 10 a.m.
Photo from Hawai‘i Pacific Brokers

COMMUNITY TALK STORY ON STEWARDSHIP FOR KAUNĀMANO is this Saturday, April 20  at Kahuku Ranch Cabins from 10 a.m. to noon. The almost four miles along the coast with 1,363 acres, is conserved between Honu‘apo and Nāʻālehu and is managed by Ala Kahakai Trail Association. Community members are welcome to take part of the discussion on Saturday.

    In 2014, when community members were seeking funding for the purchase of Kaunāmano to preserve it, Trust for Public Land stated that “Acquisition would protect native gathering rights, subsistence fishing, the Kaʻū community’s access to the property’s nearly four miles of coastline, native ecosystems, possible endangered species, cultural sites and burials, and a cultural landscape of historic significance.                                      "Acquisition would also allow for some recreational practices to continue such as recreational fishing, flying kites from the property’s lookout area Pohina Pali Lookout, and possibly camping. 

     "Excluding the coastal village, the property is grazed by a local rancher. Since there are no trees on this land, the huge, open vistas from the top of the property down to the shoreline allow ocean views almost unparalleled from any other site in Kaʻū. The property offers high educational and cultural benefits from being able to visit and learn from the many cultural sites. Kaunāmano means 'the multitudes are placed here.’ Protecting Kaunamano will honor a place where Kaʻū’s kupuna lived and where the people of Kaʻū visit today to remember their past.”

     TPL described it as “a place of great historic significance as a seat of government for Kaʻū chiefs who kept a watchful eye on Kaunāmano from a vantage point overlooking the large coastal property and the Kahua ‘Olohu makahiki grounds directly mauka of the property. The property contains at least 444 ancient Hawaiian cultural sites with more than 3,900 features, including enclosures, mounds, platforms, walls, salt pans, walled terraces, petroglyphs, papamu, heiau, ceremonial sites, burial sites, a refuge cave (and other lava tubes) and a portion of Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail which connects the coastal villages of Honu‘apo to the north with Waikapuna to the south. Many of these sites are in the largely intact ancient coastal village of Pa‘ula. Native coastal plants dominate the coastal landscape, ‘opae ‘ula (native red shrimp) abound in the large coastal cave of Puhi‘ula, and its pristine waters are home to numerous native fish, limu and other marine species."

    In 2015, the property was listed for $11.5 million by Hawai‘i Pacific Brokers with the listing noting its potential for subdivision. It was later preserved through governmental funding.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has announced its 40th annual Cultural Festival
 will be July 20 at Kahuku. NPS Photo

THE 40TH ANNUAL VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK HAWAIIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL IS ANNOUNCED. It is planned for Kahuku on Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free.
    A vibrant lineup of local performers, hula performances and engaging Hawaiian arts and craft demonstrations will be announced in the weeks ahead. Visitors can also learn about local conservation efforts through fun, interactive exhibits.
    Bring water, sun protection, and a rain jacket. Sunscreen, a hat and a ground mat or chair are recommended. Festival T-shirts, food and refreshments will be available for sale (or bring a picnic). This family experience is a drug- and alcohol-free event.
    Kahuku is located on the mauka side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, a 50-minute drive south of the park's main entrance.
    The 40th annual Cultural Festival is co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and the Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

‘O KAʻŪ  KĀKOU HAS ANNOUNCED THE 2024  Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. along Highway 11 in  Nāʻālehu. OKK is looking for businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals that would like to be in the parade. Call or text Lee McIntosh 808-854-7846 as soon as possible.