Ho’olaulea To Mark Saving Pupukea Land
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Stakeholders will celebrate the preservation of Pupukea-Paumalu with a blessing, dedication and ho’olaulea from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8 on the grounds of Sunset Beach Elementary School, which borders the parcel.
The public is invited to attend, pat themselves on the back for their support of the campaign, and learn more about this year’s historic acquisition, which has put more than 1,000 acres of pristine North Shore land safely into the hands of the city and state for public use - hiking, outdoor education and native plant restoration for residents and visitors alike.
Following an oli by Kuuipo Garrido, the Rev. Kawika Kahiapo will emcee the program and say the pule at 10:30 a.m. Expected to participate are U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, Gov. Linda Lingle, Mayor Mufi Hannemann, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii commander Col. Matthew Margotta, state DLNR board chairwoman Laura Thielen, deputy assistant Undersecretary of Defense Alex Beehler, state Sen. Robert Bunda, state Rep. Michael Magaoay, City Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz,program director of the Trust for Public Land-Hawaiian Islands Lea Hong, president of the North Shore Community Land Trust Blake McElheny,Obayashi Hawaii Corp.executive vice president Al Itamoto and a representative from NOAA.
Following the program will be food, hula, music, exhibits and a survey to fill out on a community vision for the land. The North Shore Marketplace and a school craft fair are also happening on the campus, and the Triple Crown is going on across the highway.
Entertaining from 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.(in order) are Kaukahi,Halau Na Lei Nani O Waialua, Johnny Helm and Jeff K, Ernie Cruz Jr. and Kupa’aina.
Guests are asked to RSVP to 1-(415)-495-5660, ext. 618, and to park at nearby Waimea Valley Audubon Center, where a shuttle will bring them to the school.
With help and/or substantial funding from the above people and agencies, the North Shore Community Land Trust was able to conclude a two-decade-long battle this summer to prevent development of the 1,129-acre property - a coastal bluff adjacent to the state forest reserve and abutting the elementary school along Kamehameha Highway. At one time 500 homes were planned for the land.Adding momentum to the campaign were such well-known Pupukea-Paumalu supporters as Jack Johnson,Kelly Slater and Eddie Vedder, and “thousands” of letter writers from 15 states and seven countries.
“(The ho’olaulea) is one important way that people can feel they made a difference,“said McElheny. “And for others, it may motivate them to get involved in their own communities.
“The North Shore has a variety of very active organizations who feel very strongly about the North Shore as a resource,“he added, noting good support from the visitor industry and North Shore Chamber of Commerce as well. (To contribute to the stewardship fund for Pupukea-Paumalu, people may donate online at www.northshoreland.org)
A personal reward to McElheny at this point would be “surfing the waves there and looking back on that pristine coastline.”
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