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 Po`e Hawai`i, 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 Hawai`i 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 Hawai`i, especially in rural and agrarian areas, resulting in such features as local food, "pidgin" English, and other shared ways of life distinct to Hawai`i; 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 a treasure and a hallmark of Hawai`i 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 Hawai`i at Manoa, page 23) as follows:

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 Ha`iku to Kahikinui on Maui, Kahakuloa on Maui, Anahola on Kaua`i, Kekaha/Waimea on Kaua`i, Waipa on Kaua`i, Miloli`i fishing village in South Kona on Hawai`i, portions of the Ka`u district on Hawai`i, Puna/Kalapana district on Hawai`i, Kohanaiki/Kaloko in Kona on Hawai`i, Keaukaha-Pana`ewa on Hawai`i, King's Landing on Hawai`i, Kahana on O`ahu, Waiahole on O`ahu, Waikane on O`ahu, Kualoa on O`ahu, La`ie on O`ahu, Waialua district on O`ahu, Wai`anae district on O`ahu, Waimanalo on O`ahu, Moloka`i island, Kaho`olawe island, Lana`i 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 purpose in rural areas are wahi pana (sacred sites and historical sites--for example, heiau, shrines, burials, and house sites), 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 and ritual offerings, and 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 ho`ailona 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 Hawai`i, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that rural Hawaiian communities or "cultural kipuka" are worthy of consideration as cultural heritage treasures to the State of Hawai`i; and

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that county and state governmental bodies are urged to 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 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 Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Report Title:

Rural Hawaiian Communities as Cultural Heritage Treasures