Posted on: Tuesday, June 1, 2004

EDITORIAL
Culture experiment requires commitment

There's something undeniably appealing about a cultural park where residents lead (and share) traditional agrarian lifestyles, restoring fishponds and growing taro.

But recent developments at the Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park experiment suggest that it's hard in this day and age to live the old Hawaiian way.

Creating a "living cultural park" was an innovative approach to a land-use conflict. The state bought the land in 1969, and in 1993 some three dozen residents signed 65-year leases in which they promised to build their houses and work 25 hours a week "interpreting" the park for visitors.

But the experiment was beset with problems, from a lack of financial resources to poor participation from some of the lessees. Recently, the state evicted a couple for failing to meet commitments. It's unclear whether more evictions are pending.

For the experiment to succeed, lessees have to hold up their end. But they also need resources and guidance. A master plan has yet to be completed.

Perhaps the greatest hurdle is that living the traditional Hawaiian way is hard work. Residents are having a tough time eking out a living while fulfilling their cultural duties. And we don't doubt that there are some who thought that they'd get a "free lunch." There's no such thing.

For the park to work, the state will have to devote more support resources and lease the land only to those who can realistically devote the needed time, energy and have a true understanding of the old Hawaiian ways.