Posted at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Kaho'olawe transferred to state in palace ceremony
By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer
The observance began with an offering of stones taken from the 12 'ili (land divisions) of the island, said Kalei Tsuha, cultural coordinator for the commission.
The stones were laid on the ahu (altar) in the makai corner of the palace grounds nearest the Hawai'i State Library.
The ahu was built 10 years ago, Tsuha said, during Hawaiian sovereignty observances.
The Kaho'olawe offering symbolizes the beginning of what sovereignty activists hope is the return of lands to Hawaiians, Tsuha said.
"What a great way to begin with the return of an island, " she said.
The ceremony was attended by, among others, Gov. Linda Lingle, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Neil Abercrombie, Dr. Noah Emmett Aluli, chairman of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, members of the Hawaiian community and Adm. Walter Doran, commander the Navy's Pacific Fleet, and Rear Adm. Barry McCullough III, commander of U.S. Navy Region Hawaii.
