Work at cultural site criticized

Sovereignty advocate clashes with archaeologists

Hawaiian sovereignty advocate Kane Pa slammed state-sponsored excavation work done Friday at Holoholoku, or refuge, at Wailua River State Park.

Because the United States does not have a political relationship with Native Hawaiians, the state of Hawai’i had no authority to conduct the excavation, said Pa, an official of the group Lawful Hawaiian Government,

“How can Martha Yent (the state archeologist who led the work) go into ancient areas to educate the kids?” Pa asked.

Yent said she has high respect for the Hawaiian culture and wants to work with Kane’s group. But until the sovereignty issue is resolved, the state will continue to be responsible for the protection of the Holoholoku and the dissemination of information about the site.

“I realize this is a Hawaiian culture site, and I see the state as a curator,” Yent said.

The excavation work was part of Hawa’i Archaeology Week, organized by the state and the Society of Hawaiian Archaeology to increase awareness of cultural resources. About 30 students from private and public schools participated in the activity at the park.

Pa also criticized David Helela, president of the Na Kahu Hikina A Ka La, a Hawaiian group that takes care of the refuge and three other heiau in Wailua through an agreement with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, for not following proper ceremonial protocol before allowing students and others onto the refuge.

Pa said Helela didn’t properly ask Hawaiian gods for permission to go onto the premises.

“If he is a kahu (guardian), how can he let that happen?” Pa asked.

Helela, a retired Army colonel, said proper protocol related to entry to a site that is sacred to Hawaiians was followed.

“He can say want he wants, but what needed to be done was done,” Helela said.

Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net