RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, isolated and undeveloped rural communities that were historically bypassed by the mainstream of social and economic development activities while these communities pursued traditional subsistence livelihoods in which they applied cultural customs, beliefs, and practices, are of singular importance to the perpetuation of the Hawaiian people and culture; and

WHEREAS, if these last remaining Hawaiian enclaves do not survive with the resources that make subsistence economic activities in these areas viable, then, over the next century, Ka Poe Hawaii, as a distinct people, will gradually disappear and although they may continue to live and reproduce as ethnic Hawaiians, they will eventually lose the language, culture, religion, land base, and livelihoods that distinguish them as the original settlers of these islands and would be completely assimilated into the mainstream of Hawaii society; and

WHEREAS, Hawaiian culture is also at the core of "local culture," which is an amalgamation of the Hawaiian culture with the cultures of the various immigrant groups who settled in Hawaii, especially in rural and agrarian areas, resulting in such features as local food, "pidgin" English, and other shared ways of life distinct to Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the persistence of "local" culture is reliant upon the persistence of Hawaiian culture; and

WHEREAS, Hawaiian and "local" culture and ways of life are both a treasure and a hallmark of Hawaii and of inestimable value to its citizens and an attraction to visitors; and

WHEREAS, "cultural kipuka" are defined in Native Hawaiian and Local Cultural Assessment Project, Phase 1, Problems/Assets Identification (June 1993, Luciano Minerbi, Davianna McGregor, and Jon Matsuoka, editors, University of Hawaii at Manoa, page 23) as follows:

and

WHEREAS, accelerating mainstream economic development and its impacts imparts new significance to these rural enclaves or "cultural kipuka" to Hawaiians and all those who seek to perpetuate and revitalize the native Hawaiian culture; and

WHEREAS, certain rural enclave areas on every island have been recognized as functioning or having the resources to function as "cultural kipuka," notably Hana district from Haiku to Kahikinui on Maui, Kahakuloa on Maui, Anahola on Kauai, Kekaha/Waimea on Kauai, Waipa on Kauai, Milolii fishing village in South Kona on Hawaii, portions of the Kau district on Hawaii, Puna/Kalapana district on Hawaii, Kohanaiki/Kaloko in Kona on Hawaii, Keaukaha-Panaewa on Hawaii, King's Landing on Hawaii, Kahana on Oahu, Waiahole on Oahu, Waikane on Oahu, Kualoa on Oahu, Laie on Oahu, Waialua district on Oahu, Waianae district on Oahu, Waimanalo on Oahu, Molokai island, Kahoolawe island, Lanai island, and other enclaves as may be identified through a process established by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and

WHEREAS, among the resources important to the perpetuation of traditional Hawaiian customs, beliefs, and practices for cultural, religious, and subsistence purposes in rural areas are wahi pana (sacred sites and historical sites--heiau, shrines, burials, house sites, etc.), streams for taro cultivation, marine resources and domestic water, shorelines, reefs, and ocean for gathering of foods, medicine and spiritual customs, forests for hunting, gathering of medicines, foods, ceremonial uses for hula adornment or ritual offerings, spiritual customs, habitats for endangered native species of plants and animals, and natural and cultural areas as traditional domains of ancestral spirits and Hawaiian deities where Hawaiians renew their ties to ancestors through experiencing natural phenomena and witnessing hoailona or signs; and

WHEREAS, Hawaiians have legal standing to access, use, and malama these resources; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that rural Hawaiian communities or "cultural kipuka" are worthy of all consideration as cultural heritage treasures to the State of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that county and state governmental bodies in the State of Hawaii are urged to accord consideration to these cultural heritage treasures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that county and state governmental bodies make every effort to assist in the preservation and perpetuation of these cultural treasures through early and frequent consultation with these communities, as well as early notification of plans and actions in connection to the lands within and surrounding their communities, and extra efforts during the planning stages to include community people and organizations throughout the process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, whenever possible, these governmental bodies are urged to make every effort to focus on the health, integrity, and well-being of the rural Hawaiian community and its connection to its surrounding environment, especially when facing development by outside economic interests, and that opportunities for funding and community-based planning be afforded to these rural Hawaiian communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Mayors of the respective counties, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Report Title:

Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawaiian Culture