OHA Seeks Input On Kukaniloko

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An informational meeting on Kukaniloko is planned from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 22 in Wahiawa District Park’s Hale Hookipa room by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, which is gathering community input on the sacred and culturally significant birthing stones of Hawaiian alii.

In its Traditional Cultural Property study, OHA-hired archaeologists already have conducted interviews with kupuna and cultural experts, but more stories, details and comments are needed as its Land and Property Management Program seeks to further protect and nurture this Native Hawaiian resource north of Wahiawa.

In short, the goal is to learn “why places matter to ordinary people.” According to OHA’s land manager Kevin Chang and research analyst Kamoa Quitevis, the study should be of great interest to its beneficiaries, cultural practitioners, hula halau, long-term community members, scholars and historians.

“This study,” Chang noted, “is being done largely by a young team of Hawaiian archaeologists who have a deep interest in protecting Kukaniloko for all Hawaiians.”

For more information, call 594-1944.