Save La'au march on Moloka'i Oct. 7

Save La’au
Join the March - Saturday October 7

Where: Begins at Dixie Maru Beach on the west side of Molokai. Ends at the occupation site at La’au.

When: Starts at 7 a.m., approximately 2 hours each way.

Other info: Bring your own food and water. There are portable restrooms at Dixie Maru but no other facilities available. Boats will be available for kupuna, but will not come to shore at La’au. Please be respectful of this pristine and sacred area.

See the extended entry for more background on this issue...

Update: Here's a related article from the Haleakala Times and an article from the Moloka'i Times.

The members of Hui Ho‘opakele ‘Aina (“Rescue the Land”), along with other members of the Moloka’i community, have staged a peaceful occupation of La’au on the southwestern end of Moloka’i in opposition to the proposed “La’au Point” development. Molokai Properties Ltd, the owner of 65,000-acre Molokai Ranch, plans to build a 200-home luxury development that would encompass more than 600 acres and almost 6 miles of virgin, untouched coastline.

The occupiers have built a traditional hale on the site and invite all to join the march in support of their cause, this Saturday, from Dixie Maru beach to the hale at La’au.

The community resistance to this project encompasses a number of concerns, including:

Natural Environment
It is important for everyone to realize the magnitude and scope of this development and come to understand the environmental value of the lands surrounding La’au. If you have not visited this area it is easy to dismiss. This area represents the healthiest and most abundant coastline of Molokai.

Culture
On Molokai there were two sacred areas marking the wehe and the pani of Makahiki (the opening and closing). On the eastern side of Molokai the wehi was located at Kapu’upo’i in the proximity of Halawa. The pani of the Makahiki was that of La’au. Both of these areas were revered as sacred places and treated with the reverence of such. Cultural sites ranging from keiau to ko’a can be found throughout this area.

Water
Water is a primary issue regarding this development. Recent reports show chloride levels to be rising in water taken from Molokai’s wells. This means that we are already on the verge of taking more water than is being replenished. It is hard for most Molokai residents to understand why, when water is already in short supply, that 1 million gallons would be made available for the purpose of million-dollar vacation homes.

Social Impact
Molokai remains the last Hawaiian Island of its kind. The real wealth of Molokai is found in the mana of the land, the aloha of the people, and the mo’olelo of the kupuna. A fragile society exists on Molokai and at the center of this is Hawaiian culture. It is not difficult to understand that the nature of the society created though high-end housing is contrary to the values of those that live on the island. It is also not hard to imagine the demands and expectations that would be placed on the people of Molokai by such a community.

Sustenance and Gathering Rights
The area of La'au is regularly referred to as the ice box because of its abundance of fish and game. This area is a primary source of sustenance dating back to ancient days. Gathering rights guaranteed by the State of Hawaii have traditionally been ignored by Molokai Ranch and they have intentionally ignored providing access to this area. Simultaneously they have run operations for profit in using West End Ranch areas for commercial hunting.

The “generous” offer of 26,000 acres
The Molokai Ranch’s Master Land Use Plan includes an offer to give a significant amount of their land “back to Molokai” in return for being allowed to proceed with the La’au Point development. It calls for 26,000 acres to be donated to the Molokai Land Trust, 24,950 acres to be places into agricultural protective easements and open space to be managed by the trust, and 10,000 acres to be owned and managed by Molokai Properties.

If the donation of 26,000 acres seems like a generous offer, we need to realize that most of these lands that would be donated to the Trust are not of great value to the Ranch and that in turn the Ranch could make anywhere from [US] $200 to 400 million on La‘au. These proposed lands to be donated have no water resource and minimal sustainable coastal areas. The cultural sites that would supposedly be protected are already protected from development under state law.

For more information on these and other concerns about the proposed La’au Point development, visit the Save La’au website:
http://www.savelaau.com/

Posted: Wed - October 4, 2006 at 08:58 AM

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Save La'au march on Moloka'i Oct. 7

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