HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES             H.R. NO.126           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     HOUSE  RESOLUTION

ENCOURAGING THE RESTORATION OF MOKU'ULA AND LOKO O MOKUHINIA.



 1       WHEREAS, prior to contact with Western civilization,
 2   Moku`ula was considered as the axis mundi or "piko" (center) of
 3   spiritual and political power among the highest ranking ali`i
 4   of Hawai`i; and
 5   
 6       WHEREAS, it is at Moku`ula, at the den known as Kalua `O
 7   Kiha (The Pit of Kiha), that the deified mo`o goddess,
 8   Kihawahine, the progenitor of the Pi`ilani Line of Maui chiefs,
 9   lives; and
10   
11       WHEREAS, Loko O Mokuhinia (Fishpond of Mokuhinia) served as
12   a natural moat surrounding Moku`ula, was stocked with the
13   Ali`i's favorite fish and lo`i kalo (taro field), and fed by
14   the streams of Kau`aula and Pahumanamana; and
15   
16       WHEREAS, Moku`ula and Loko O Mokuhinia was home to and
17   sacred retreat for the Kings and Queens of Hawai`i up to the
18   time of Kamehameha V; and
19   
20       WHEREAS, it was at Moku`ula that Keopuolani, Nahiena`ena
21   and the children of Kauikeauoli (King Kamehameha III) were laid
22   to rest along with many other ali`i in a mausoleum built
23   especially for them; and
24   
25       WHEREAS, these royal crown lands were confiscated by the
26   Republic of Hawai`i, then ceded to the United States of America
27   at the time of Annexation, then returned back to the State of
28   Hawai`i at the time of statehood and eventually became the
29   responsibility of the County of Maui through an executive
30   order; and
31   
32       WHEREAS, diversion of water from the streams that fed Loko
33   O Mokuhinia eventually led to the filling of the loko and the
34   establishment of a county ball park; and 
35   
36       WHEREAS, recent events, including an archaeological site
37   study, show that Moku`ula and Loko O Mokuhinia, connecting
38   pathways, and an old pier located on the island remain intact;
39   and

 
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                                  H.R. NO.126           
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1       WHEREAS, because of this information, there is
 2   significantly increased interest in restoring and preserving
 3   Moku`ula and Loko O Mokuhinia for the purposes of educating and
 4   preserving the historical and spiritual significance of this
 5   place; and 
 6   
 7       WHEREAS, a community-based non-profit organization known as
 8   Friends of Moku`ula, Inc., has been created to conduct
 9   activities that will lead to the restoration and preservation
10   of Moku`ula and Loko O Mokuhinia and all other related sites;
11   now, therefore,  
12   
13       BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
14   Twentieth Legislature of the State of Hawai`i, Regular Session
15   of 1999, that we encourage and support the efforts of the
16   Hawaiian community; particularly the Friends of Moku`ula to
17   conduct activities that will allow for the restoration of
18   Moku`ula and Loko O Mokuhinia and all other related sites so
19   that all may learn and understand the basic principles and
20   beliefs of the Hawaiian people; and
21   
22       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of
23   the Twentieth Legislature of the State of Hawai`i, Regular
24   Session of 1999, encourage the County of Maui to work in
25   concert with the Friends of Moku`ula to resolve any land issues
26   regarding the area now known as Maluuluolele Park and to
27   further work with the Friends of Moku`ula to address any other
28   concerns regarding the restoration of Moku`ula and Loko O
29   Mokuhinia; and 
30   
31       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
32   Resolution be transmitted to the Friends of Moku`ula, the Mayor
33   of the County of Maui, each member of the Maui County Council,
34   the Governor of the State of Hawai`i and each member of the
35   Hawai`i Congressional Delegation.
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39                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________