Hawaiians protest Hokuli'a project
By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
KEALAKEKUA, Hawai'i — About two dozen descendants of Hawaiians buried on the grounds of the Hokuli'a luxury home project yesterday began a three-day vigil to pray and to protest plans for development there.
The 1,550-acre project along a 3-mile stretch of the Kona Coast has been tangled for years in lawsuits by Native Hawaiian activists and environmentalists.
The vigil focused on treatment of Pu'u Ohau, a 230-foot mound in the middle of the project that is considered a sacred burial ground.
Jim Medeiros Sr., president of the Protect Keopuka 'Ohana, said he hoped the vigil at the pu'u will attract the attention of Gov. Linda Lingle, and get the state to enforce a 2001 settlement that requires the developer to build a 6-foot wall around the base of the hill.
"Being here today is giving them the message that all of the people of Hawai'i are concerned," he said. "People came from all islands today — O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i — and they're still coming."
The Hawai'i Island Burial Council recommended in 1999 that the wall be constructed around the base of the pu'u to protect the site.
Representatives of developer 1250 Oceanside Partners agreed, but the two sides now disagree on where the wall should go.
The developer contends the agreement to build the wall still allows for some house lots on the lower slopes of the pu'u, but opponents say the wall should be at the base of the mound, better known as Red Hill.
The hill is believed to hold the crypt of the grandmother of Queen Lili'uokalani and King Kalakaua as well as scores of other royal remains.
The developer declined to comment. A spokesman for 1250 Oceanside Partners said the company believes it would be inappropriate to talk about the activities this weekend, which were supposed to be cultural ceremonies.
The development includes a golf course, about 750 residential lots, a members lodge, club house, pavilion and tennis courts.
Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 935-3916.
