FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Malia Evans (728-7676)
evansmas@hawaii.edu
October 26, 2009 Kimo Armitage (392-3000)
kimoa@hawaii.edu
Press Conference: Tues. Oct. 27, 2009
6:30pm
John Kalili Surf Center
Ali‘i Beach Park, Haleiwa
Dog Park Planned for Sacred Hawaiian Site
Haleiwa, HI – Community members on the North Shore are angry about a one acre dog park proposed for Kaiaka Bay Beach Park, the site of Kapukapuakea Heiau complex, which includes Pohaku Lana’i (a site on the State Register of Historic Places). The proposal for the dog park by the North Shore Woof Pack was approved by a majority of the North Shore Neighborhood Board in February 2009 with NO consultation with Hawaiian organizations or community members.
The sacredness and significance of Kapukapuakea Heiau and the surrounding landscape has been well documented as it served as a center for ceremonial and spiritual practices, navigational training and astronomical observation. The heiau complex, (on City & County land), continues to support the practice of cultural traditions for Hawaiians and Polynesians throughout the Pacific region. A dog park will desecrate this sacred complex, is disrespectful of the host culture and conflicts with the unique cultural history of this sacred place.
Kimo Armitage, Hawaiian studies professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa denounced the plan. “The push to build a dog park in one of the most sacred areas in the Pacific is the stupidest idea I have ever heard. The Woof Pack and the North Shore Neighborhood Board need to educate themselves about what that area means to the Indigenous People of the Pacific.”
Kevin Suan, a board member on the Haleiwa Elementary School Community Council and parent of a student, is upset about the close proximity of the proposed dog park to the school and the negative effects it will have on the children, teachers and staff. He said that the majority of the teachers and staff do not support the location of the dog park.
-more-
Dog Park Planned for Sacred Hawaiian Site
cont. on page 2
The plan calls for only a ten foot setback from the campus’ chain link fence which surrounds the classrooms, playground, basketball court, and field. The disruption and exposure of the children and staff to multiple barking dogs, allergy producing dander and dog hair, and the smell of feces should have alerted the NS Neighborhood board. This is an unacceptable risk to the children’s health and learning environment. Haleiwa Elementary School also contains a historic building listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. A dog park in the vicinity of this historic building would detract from its integrity and cultural value.
A community demonstration and protest against the proposed dog park will take place at the North Shore Neighborhood Board meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at the John Kalili Surf Center at Ali’i Beach Park. A press conference will be held at 6:30 pm outside of the center. Armitage will be testifying on behalf of the community who oppose the building of a dog park on sacred ground. We strongly urge members of our community to attend this meeting, voice your opposition to the dog park location and support the protection of our sacred places from desecration.
# # #
Mālama Kēia ‘Āina ‘o Haleiwa was formed to prevent the desecration of the Kapukapuakea Heiau Complex in Waialua, Oahu. We advocate for the protection and preservation of the Hawaiian cultural landscape and traditional practices in Hawai’i Nei. Our hui consists of community members from various cultural, civic and professional organizations who support Kanaka Maoli values, culture and ways of knowing.
Comments
I read your latest blog post asking where people were.:
http://www.maoliworld.com/profiles/blogs/where-were-youthose-who-live
You seem to be a cool person so I will tell you why.
Most Hawaiians whom I know work not one but two or THREE jobs. They do not have the luxury of appearing at every protest.
In addition they stand to lose their livelihood so many Hawaiians do not risk risking the lives of their children if their empoyer were to ever find out.
Secondly... about the Haole thing. I speak some Hawaiian.
I use "haole" to mean "American or European"... and just so that you know... I am haole too.
It is NOT a race thing. It is a Hawaiian language thing. If you have a chance please take the time out to learn the language before you tell some people who speak Hawaiian that it is a race thing. Perhaps that is what YOU see but it is NOT a race thing.
Thirdly "UnHawaiian?"
No offense Kai but you may want to read about Hawaiian history before you tell ME that it is "unHawaiian." Hint: I come from a line of WARRIORS. and from some ancestors who spoke more than one language. NO OFFENSE e Kai but I speak more than one language which is more than most Americans speak which is one language... English so BEFORE you go off on me in public... read some Hawaiian history first before you say that it is "UnHawaiian." When you do... it shows ignorance and you seem to be cool showing up at some protests with Pomai but saying things that I am "unHawaiian" reveals your ignorance about Hawaiian history so when you do and you are protesting some people not just Hawaiians look at you and think that you are ignorant then you state things like that.
Last but not least whatever you do please do not ever talk down to me. I appreciate your joining the cause and appearing at some protests but do not mistakenly think that that makes you more active than me because you do not know what I do.
Mahalo.
Yeah... where have you been??? LOL
Since more haole people cashed out their equity on North America then bought a house that most Hawaiians cannot afford to buy.
Scroll to the bottom:
North Shore $754,500
Kailua $710,000
http://www.hicentral.com/hbr-stat.asp
How many Hawaiians can afford THAT?
Waianae is different. . Kaohi already mentioned this --- but they treat dogs better than they treat Hawaiian children. It's messed up priorities.
Yeah but you have cats... not dogs LOL I have three dogs and have never gone to a dog park. YES it is a haole thing to have "dog parks."
Shows how some people value the dogs over the OIWI though.
Ditto what Kaohi posted.
BTW in our deed-restricted community which is about 95% Haole it is rich people. Some who do not pick up after their dog which can wreak havoc especially to children.
The sad thing? They don't care!!!
Good point though at least in Florida where the Seminoles kick butt they have some dog parks but they are NOT built on culturally sensitive areas:
http://www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/parksrec/news/dp_opening.asp
At least those with a good conscience are protesting.