Royal Hawaiian displays final painting by Herb Kane

By Nina Wu, Honolulu Star Advertiser

Herb Kane's final painting hangs near the entrance to the Monarch Room in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Herb Kane's last painting, "Kamehameha Landing," now graces the wall by the entrance to the Monarch Room at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
It was the last painting the artist-historian was working on before he died March 8. It remains incomplete and unsigned, though someone with an untrained eye might not notice.
The 5-foot-tall, 10-foot-wide oil on canvas depicts King Kamehameha I and his warriors in canoes preparing to land on the shores of Waikiki in great detail.
Commissioned by Kyo-Ya Hotels and Resorts, "Kamehameha Landing" will be officially unveiled Friday with a private Hawaiian blessing by the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation.
Kane is also being honored by the foundation as the 2011 Kamaaina of the Year with a benefit dinner on Saturday in the Monarch Room.
"One of the marks of his greatness was his attention to culturally accurate detail, including the color of the water, the rigging and cordage on the canoes and the angle and slope of surf," said cultural consultant Peter Apo, his friend of more than 30 years. "Most people would just sort of draw waves, but if you're a surfer and you saw the waves, you would say, ‘I know where that is. That's the Waikiki swell.'"
Several years ago, Kane had already made a sketch of the scene but had not yet gotten to the full color painting, which he had always wanted to do.
As Kyo-ya was renovating the Royal Hawaiian, the company wanted a new piece of art for the hotel. Apo connected Kane with architect Rob Iopa.
Kane worked on the painting for about seven to eight months in his studio at Kealakekua Bay before he died.
"He fully expected to finish it," Apo said.
He also intended for it to be his last painting of that scale because his eyesight was deteriorating and he could paint only during the day.
After his death, Kyo-ya had the painting framed and transported to Oahu, according to Iopa, and decided it was best to leave the painting as is, with Kane's final touches rather than having someone else complete it.
King Kamehameha I's Waikiki landing in 1795 was a pivotal point in the history of Hawaii, Apo said, given that he would go on to conquer Oahu and unite the Hawaiian islands.
Some 2,000 war canoes stretched from Ala Moana Beach Park to Kahala, according to some accounts, he said.
"It's a beautiful depiction of a landing and preparing for battle," said Iopa. "Probably what stands out more than the painting itself was the knowledge behind what was being painted. It really celebrates a great man and what we believe to be a great piece."

Polynesian Voyaging Discussion - FREE Event!

Come join us on Sunday, October 23, 2011 for this free event:

Polynesian Voyaging Discussion

12 noon
Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Free and open to the public

Join a Talk Story about Polynesian ocean voyaging and its rebirth in modern times and get to meet some of the original navigators!

ʻŌiwi TV - Herb Kane Article

Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation’s 2011 Kamaʻāina of the Year: Herb Kāne

Herb Kawainui Kāne will be honored at this year’s HHF event for his contributions in the revival of our Hawaiian culture.

The amount of detail and the amount of research that went into Herb’s paintings really are unprecedented in depicting Hawaiian scapes.

His paintings remain a rich source of Hawaiian history, including his last piece “Kamehameha Landing.”

It’s especially unique and special because Kamehameha set up his then united kingdom here on the grounds of the Royal Hawaiian in Helumoa

The Foundation is honoring Herb as the “Kamaʻāina of the Year” for his valuable contributions to Hawaiʻi’s history.

Our mission as (the) Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation is to preserve the elements of our culture. Herb accomplished this via his paintings and much more. I obviously know of him as an artist, obviously know of him as a historian, and obviously know of his instrumental participation and leadership in establishing the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Events will be held thru Sunday including a screening of Papa Mau, a talk story with voyagers, and canoe landings.

Visit http://www.oiwi.tv/live/article/historic-hawai%ca%bbi-foundations-2011-kama%ca%bbaina-of-the-year-herb-kane/ for complete article and video.

How we deal with Natatorium will put our character to the test

Star-Advertiser
A 1973 aerial view shows the Waikiki Natatorium in better times.

Richard Borreca argues that 32 years of "dithering and delay on the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium has got to end" ("Natatorium is a problem that just won't go away," Star-Advertiser, On Politics, Oct. 4).
We agree.
But we do not agree with those who say that demolition or a change of use is in the public interest or the less expensive financial alternative to restoration.
The city, while led by Mayor Jeremy Harris, spent $4.2 million restoring the facade, bathrooms, bleachers and volleyball court and built a new district lifeguard office. Mayor Harris's and the Honolulu City Council's total $11.5 million appropriation for the project also would have paid for a re-engineered pool that would provide ADA access to the ocean for the elderly, and disabled. Had the so-nearly-realized restoration been completed, we would be celebrating its return to public use and swimming there today.
But the succeeding mayoral administration, under Mufi Hannemann, swept into City Hall with a passion to undo important major projects undertaken by Harris, beginning with a stunning reversal of a fully designed and permitted Natatorium restoration.
It not only stopped the restoration, but went into high gear to demolish the entire structure. It pursued demolition with a spirit of irreverence that dishonored the memory of more than 10,000 warriors from Hawaii who are memorialized by the Natatorium. Auwe!
We are as tired of sloshing through debate as some are of having to listen to it, but Borreca's column cannot be left unchallenged. To spare your readers from having to navigate a manifesto on the subject, let it suffice for us to say here that the real consequences of demolition lie far beyond what most people realize. The Natatorium serves as a sand retention revetment; it created San Souci beach. Demolish the Natatorium and San Souci is history.
Alternative uses like creating additional new beach or volleyball courts are not permitted shoreline uses and would have to survive a lengthy and daunting county, state and federal permitting process, not to mention court challenges.
The Hawaii Supreme Court has already ruled, in 1973, against demolition for any other use of the shoreline expect for a Natatorium (defined as a swimming pool in Act 15 of the Territorial Legislature, 1921). The cost of demolition to effect the new uses proposed, even if successful, rivals or exceeds the cost of restoration. So much for the argument that it's cheaper to demolish.
Further, the structure sits in a declared marine sanctuary. Demolition-triggered reef damage is a significant threat. A new beach, according to an Army Corps of Engineers study, would require replacing the Natatorium with the equivalent of a three-wall small boat harbor replicating the footprint of the Natatorium walls and its sand retention function to protect San Souci as well as the proposed added 100 feet of new beach. Go figure.
The proposal to "preserve" the arch by moving it is not an engineering possibility. It would have to be rebuilt as a reproduction. So much for preservation.
Finally, hundreds of pages of scientific and expert studies, including a $1.2 million environmental impact statement, show the least expensive, least environmentally harmful option is full restoration.
The idea of demolishing the Natatorium ranks up there with the attempts to demolish Iolani Palace for a parking lot and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for a new high-rise hotel. The Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is the last of the great historic treasures of the Waikiki shoreline. How we respond to this challenge will mark the greatness or failure of who we are as a people.
———
Peter Apo is an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee; Steven M. Baldridge is president of BASE Structural Engineering; Brian Keaulana is a waterman; retired Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon is former commander of the U.S. Army Pacific; William M. Smith Jr. is an Olympic gold medalist and former director of the city Water Safety Department; and William Y. Thompson, is president of the 442nd Veterans Club.

Application Now Available for Battlefield Preservation Grants

Proposals are now being accepted for the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) Battlefield Preservation Grants. Non-profit groups, academic institutions, and local, regional, state, and tribal governments are encouraged to apply.

Types of eligible projects inlude:

* Archeology

* Cultural Landscape Inventories

* Cultural Resource Documentation

* GIS Mapping

* National Register Nominations

* Preservation Plans

Since 1990, the ABPP has worked with partners like you to help protect and enhance more than 280 battlefields. Project funding has ranged from $5,000 to $75,000. The ABPP encourages, but does not require, matching funds or in-kind services for these projects. Application form, deadline and complete guidelines are available on-line at: www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/
For further information contact Kristen McMasters at: 202-354-2037.

“Aloha Buddha” to be shown at Film Festival Oct. 21

A documentary about Japanese Buddhism in Hawai‘i has been completed and will be shown at the Hawai‘i International Film Festival. The film is entitled “Aloha Buddha.” It covers the history of Buddhism and Japanese immigration and settlement in the Islands. Parts of the film are serious and unsettling, other parts are fun and lighthearted; the film shows the struggles of the Japanese population as well as the triumphs through the story of Buddhism.
The film has been selected to premier at the Hawaii International Film Festival 2011. There is only one showing – Friday, October 21, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. The venue is at the Dole Cannery.
Tickets may be purchased by going online at http://www.hiff.org/program/films/detail/aloha_buddha_2011 or call 808-447-0577.
The film was produced by Lorraine Minatoishi and directed by Bill Ferehawk and Dylan Robertson.

DLNR ANNOUNCES THE RECREATIONAL RESIDENCE LEASE AUCTION FOR KŌKE‘E AND WAIMEA CANYON STATE PARKS, KAUA‘I

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release
NEIL ABERCROMBIE
GOVERNOR
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WILLIAM J. AILA, JR.
CHAIRPERSON
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For immediate release: October 7, 2011
DLNR ANNOUNCES THE
RECREATIONAL RESIDENCE LEASE AUCTION
FOR KŌKE‘E AND WAIMEA CANYON STATE PARKS, KAUA‘I
LIHUE – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of State Parks is pleased to announce that seventeen (17) vacant recreational residence leases in Kōke„e and Waimea State Parks on the island of Kaua„i are now scheduled for public auction.
“This auction is a great opportunity for residents to bid on rustic recreational cabins and lots, in one of Hawai„i‟s most beautiful State Parks, that have not been available to the general public in decades,” said William J. Aila Jr., DLNR Chairperson. “The revenues from these leases will go to supporting improvements on public lands by restoring recreational areas in the Hawai„i State Park System,” Aila continued.
These 17 recreational residence leases will be sold by means of a three tiered public auction, as is required under Act 223 SLH 2008. The recreational lease is awarded to the highest bidder with a minimum upset price determined by appraisal.
Per the law, the first round of the auction will be offered to residents of a county in the state with a population of less than 100,000 (which includes Kaua„i County), the second round is then to be offered to statewide residents, and if there are any leases still available after this second round, a third round will be opened to non-residents. The minimum bids start as low as $2,500 per year and the lots are only for part time, recreation use only.
The deadline for applications is 4pm, November 7, 2011 and the first round of the auction will be held December 8, 2011.
For more detailed information and a Public Auction Bid Packet, visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/plans/index.cfm or call (808) 587-0505.
# # #
Page 2
Recreational Residence Lease Auction
for Kōke„e and Waimea Canyon State Parks
For more information, news media may contact:
Laura Stevens
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (808) 587-0320
45 second re-cap: The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks is pleased to announce that seventeen (17) vacant recreational residence leases in Kōke„e and Waimea State Parks on the island of Kaua„i are now scheduled for public auction. The deadline for applications is 4pm, November 7, 2011 and the first round of the auction will be held December 8, 2011.
For more detailed information and a Public Auction Bid Packet, visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/plans/index.cfm or call (808) 587-0505.

Court Ruling Defends Preservation Easements

By Preservation Action

Over the past several years, the Internal Revenue Service has been actively challenging the donation of preservation easements to non-profit organizations. Citing a range of issues including the actual value of the donation, whether or not the easement is "exclusively for conservation purposes," as required in the law, or whether placing an easement on properties already subjected to the restrictions of local preservation ordinances have any value at all, the IRS aggressively started auditing donors - resulting in a substantial drop in easement donations.
A recent federal appeals court decision in a Washington DC case, Simmons v. Commissioner, should help to put many of the IRS's claims to rest. The case involved a property owner who donated the facades of two 19th century Italianate row-houses in the Logan Circle Historic District to an easement holding organization - the L'Enfant Trust. Among the issues raised by the IRS was their claim that because the L'Enfant Trust could actually approve changes to the facade and not simply mandate it remain in its current condition in perpetuity, that it did not count as being "exclusively for conservation purposes." They also took issue with the actual easement deeds because they contained provisions that permitted the easement holder to abandon the easement, and they did not clearly outline a process by which the easement would be transferred elsewhere should the holding entity cease to exist.
On all counts the court ruled against the IRS. This, coupled with an earlier tax court decision that the IRS did not appeal that invalidated the argument that easements donated on properties located in protected historic districts have no value, should help to set a stronger precedent in future cases and help deter the IRS from pursuing its attack on donations made to legitimate organizations.
For more information, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has posted a more in-depth article here.

Distinctive Women in Hawaiian History Program 5th Annual Program

Distinctive Women in Hawaiian History Program will hold its 5th Annual Program to celebrate the rich history of Hawaii’s women. The celebration, presented by the Hawai`i Council for the Humanities, will be held on Saturday, October 29th at the Hawaii Convention Center. Our themes: ancient women of Hawai`i and women activists. Please join/register at http://www.distinctivewomenhawaii.org/

The program will include an amazing hula performance by Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakāne with Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu interpreting the roles of nā wāhine kanaka maoli (native women). It has mythology, Hawaiian culture, extraordinary choreography, humor, and the excitement of well-told, fast-moving stories. Kumu Patrick is also a panelist in a follow-on presentation. Topics range from local female activists during the women's suffrage movement, Mormon missionary women, Princess Nahinu Kamehaokalani, and moving WWII era stories that include Korean activist Dora Moon, public health nurse Harriet Kuwamoto, and social worker Jennie Lee In. And there’s poetry, paying homage to women in transition with detours and mid-life reinventions.

The Distinctive Women in Hawaiian History Program has partnered with Mission Houses Museum to offer a 20% discount price to Mission Houses’ Spookilau, a unique paranormal event that evening in downtown Honolulu. The Spookilau 20% off discount is only available from the Distinctive Women web site.

For more information, contact
Jamie Conway
Program Director & Founder
events@distinctivewomenhawaii.org
www.distinctivewomenhawaii.org

HONOLULU LAND FUND CAN PRESERVE HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SITES

Applications Due September 30


August 30, 2011: Applications are now being accepted for projects under the City and County of Honolulu Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund.

For more information about the fund and the grant application process, please go to http://www1.honolulu.gov/council/cbc/cwnl.htm

The fund was established to protect land through acquisition of fee title or conservation easements on O’ahu. Applications are due September 30, 2011 at 4:00 pm. Applications must be submitted as follows:
• Submit one copy electronically via e-mail to cclbc@honolulu.gov
• Once you have submitted your electronic copy, you must also deliver two (2) hard copies of the completed application and a soft copy of the application (CD-ROM, diskette, flash drive) to the City Council’s Office at the following address:
Clean Water & Natural Lands Commission
Attn: Council Liaison
Honolulu Hale
530 South King Street, Room 202
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Applications will be reviewed by the Commission Clean Water and Natural Lands Commission, which will make recommendations to the City Council on projects to be funded by the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund. Final selection of projects to be funded will be made by the City Council as part of the annual budget process.
The Commission’s has established an application that ranks applications according to the purposes of the fund. These purposes include:
• protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply
• preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas and agricultural lands
• public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains
• preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites
• protection of significant habitats or ecosystems, including buffer zones
• conservation of land in order to reduce erosion, floods, landslides, and runoff
• acquisition of public access to public land and open space

The Commission also considers factors such as the degree of urgency, financial support from other sources, and how a proposed project relates to the city’s existing budgetary or other priorities.

Background In 2006, Honolulu voters approved a charter amendment that set aside a portion of real property tax revenues for land conservation. In 2007, the Council established the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund (Ordinance 07-18) and the Commission (Reso. 07-355 CD1). The Commission was established to advise the City Council on the use and expenditure of these funds.

Past Projects The City Council has approved a total of six outstanding Oahu land conservation projects in the first three cycles of applications to this Fund. The Council encourages the public to work with the Commission through the application process and to provide input that will assist it in making its recommendations to the Council. To date, the City Council has approved acquisition of the following conservation projects: Kukaniloko, Sunset Ranch, Honouliuli Preserve, Kunia Agricultural Research Station, the Fong Plantation, and the Hawea Heiau/Keawawa wetland. The Sunset Ranch conservation project received $600,000 from the fund in fiscal year 2010.

PUBLIC MEETINGS SET FOR KAWAINUI INTERPRETIVE PLAN

Community input needed on interpretation of Kawainui-Hamakua history and resources

For the past 6 years, Ho‘olaulima ia Kawainui has been gathering background information on Kawainui-Hāmākua marsh and park in Kailua on the windward side of O‘‘ahu to be used in the development of an interpretive plan.

The organization has inventoried the natural and cultural resources, developed some interpretive themes (messages), identified the potential audience, and gathered information about various interpretive techniques. The group plans to share this information with the community and seek input on the interpretive opportunities and ask the public to share what they would like to see at Kawainui. The input they receive will allow them to move forward with the interpretive planning process and communicate with the Department of Land and Natural Resources as it develops a master plan.

Six public outreach meetings will be held in the Kailua (O‘ahu) community in September-November. Please join one or more of these meetings to share your thoughts and explore ways to share the special resource of Kawainui-Hamakua with the community and visitors.

Meeting Schedule:
Maunawili - Pohakupi - Kukanono Communities -- Tues., Sept. 13, 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Church, 875 Auloa Road, Kailua
Keolu - Enchanted Lake Communities -- Sat., Sept. 17, 10:00 a.m. at Enchanted Lake Elementary School, 770 Keolu Drive, Kailua
Kalāheo - Aikahi -- Wed., Oct. 5, 6:30pm at Kalāheo High School Cafeteria
Keolu - Enchanted Lake -- Thurs., Oct. 20, 7:00pm at St. John Vianney’s Social Hall, 920 Keolu Drive, Kailua
Lanikai -- Thurs., Oct. 27, 7:00pm at Lanikai Park, A‘alapapa Drive, Kailua
Kainalu - Kailua Beach -- Tues., Nov. 8, 6:30pm at St. Anthony’s Church, Kalāheo Avenue & Makawao Street, Kailua

Free Event to Honor Queen Liliuokalani

The Hawai'i Pono'i Coalition will honor Queen Lili'uokalani as a world leader of peace and justice on September 4, 2011, at ‘Iolani Palace, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The organization said that the special event is a day to gather to remember this great leader, to reflect on the past, to look to the future. It's a family day where kama‘āina and malihini can gather to learn about Hawai'i's history, enjoy great entertainment, food, and cultural activities, see a play and walk on a tour.

'Onipa'a will feature:
- Entertainment by the Royal Hawaiian Band, Jerry Santos and Olomana, Ipo Kumukahi, Halau I Ka Wekiu (Michael Nalanakila'ekolu Casupang and Karl Veto Baker, Na Kumu Hula), and others
- Ecumenical Services at Noon with Kahu Van Culin and Nola Nahulu
- Presentation by Walter Kawaiae'a on the Queen's Music
- The Queen's Play by the Ka Lei Maile Ali'i Hawaiian Civic Club
- The popular Mai Poina Walking Tours (a re-enactment of the events leading to the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy under the direction of noted playwright Victoria Kneubuhl.)
- Free admission to 'Iolani Palace
- Cultural and educational exhibitions

The event is sponsored by: The Hawai 'i Pono'i Coalition; the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Kamehameha Schools; the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center; and the Friends of 'Iolani Palace.

DLNR Kaua'i Listening Sessions Aug. 20

DLNR Administration Team, including Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr., First Deputy Guy H. Kaulukukui, Ph.D. and Water Deputy Bill M. Tam will hold two Listening Sessions on Kaua‘i to hear community comments, questions, and concerns regarding topics under the Department’s jurisdiction. This is the first of a series of statewide listening sessions.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is charged with protecting rare and endangered species, native ecosystems, watersheds, streams, aquifers, submerged lands, coral reefs, fisheries, other ocean resources, and historic and cultural sites, as well as managing state parks, harbors, boat ramps, etc. It is also oversees public hunting and game management.
Kaua‘i Public Listening Session
Saturday, August 20, 2011

North Shore Listening Session
10:30am – 12:30pm
Kilauea Elementary School
2440 Kolo St., Kilauea, Hawai‘i 96754

Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary School
3:30pm - 5:30pm
4319 Hardy Street
Lihue, Hawaii 96766

The Kaua‘i meetings are hosted by Senator Ronald Kouchi.

If you are unable to attend but would like to send your comments, questions, and concerns to the DLNR please e-mail: DLNR2011ListeningSessions@hawaii.gov

Individuals requiring special assistance or accommodations are asked to contact Senator Kouchi’s office at (808) 586-6030 at least four days in advance of the meeting.

NPS Announces Fiscal Year 2012 Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program

Beginning Thursday, September 1, 2011, applications for fiscal year 2012 will be available to assist private non-profit organizations, educational institutions, state, local and tribal governments, and other public entities in their efforts to preserve confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II and to educate and inspire present and future generations about the importance of these historic places.

For more information about the National Park Service grant program and grant application process, please visit the following website:

http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/hpg/JACS/index.html

Applications must be received by: Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact the Hawaii NPS regional office:
Contact: Suzanne Bott
Phone: 808-541-2693 ext. 737
Email: suzanne_bott@nps.gov

A & B Building Stars in Design Video

The architectural design and steel frame construction of the historic Alexander & Baldwin Building was the subject of a talk and video presentation at a monthly meeting of the Engineers and Architects of Hawai‘i earlier this year. Giving the presentation was Don Hibbard of Mason Architects, co-author of a book about one of the building’s designers entitled Hart Wood, Architectural Regionalism in Hawai‘i.
Wood and another notable Hawai‘i architect, C.W. Dickey, collaborated on the design of the A & B Building, which was completed in 1929.

View the video presentation of the building’s history at the Engineers and “Architects Channel link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/eahawaii1902

Mission Houses Museum presents: Huaka‘i: A Musical Journey

Saturday, September 17th, 5:30 p.m.
Featuring the music of George Kuo, Martin Pahinui, Aaron Mahi, Makana, and Kapena as we honor Kamaku ‘Ukulele on their 95th anniversary and raise funds to support the museum and its programs!
Tables and tickets on-line or 447-3922
www.missionhouses.org

PARTNERSHIPS HELP KEEP LAND IN FOREST CONSERVATION

Forest Legacy Program shines in “Year of the Forest”

HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) continues to partner with local land trusts and private landowners to successfully sustain forests through acquisition of conservation easement, which reduce conversion of forest land to other uses.

The Hawaii Forest Legacy Program, administered through DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, is now seeking new applications for funding assistance for forest conservation acquisitions in the federal fiscal year 2013.

The deadline for the next round of applications to the Hawaii Forest Legacy Program is August 22, 2011. Landowners and non-profit entities who are interested in participating in the Forest Legacy Program may contact Sheri Mann at the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 587-4172.

“Hawaii projects have been very successful in this nationally competitive program,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson. “Through the Hawaii Forest Legacy Program we have been able to protect our environmentally sensitive forest resources, preserve watersheds, shelter endangered species, and safeguard our culturally important sites.”

The Forest Legacy Program works with private landowners, states and conservation non-profit groups to promote sustainable, working forests. In the federal fiscal year 2010, the Forest Legacy Program was funded at more than $79 million to assist landowners across the country to conserve and manage their land while protecting environmentally important landscapes.

“Conservation easements are one of the best options out there for a conservation-minded landowner,” stated Kip Dunbar of Kainalu Ranch. “Not only do conservation easements allow landowners to retain and manage their family property -- they also can provide technical and financial assistance, as well as tax benefits for donors, to help with the ongoing cost of managing land for conservation in perpetuity.”

“Conservation easements are a relatively new tool that allows a landowner to retain ownership of the restricted title to their property while providing permanent protection from development or unsustainable uses,” said Paul Conry, Division of Forestry and Wildlife administrator. Easements are strictly voluntary, and the restrictions are binding to all future owners in perpetuity.

“Conservation easements allow the Forest Legacy Program to provide landowners with alternatives to selling their land to development companies,” Conry added. “With the help of land trusts, new cost-share and tax programs, and conservation-minded landowners, Hawaii is increasing the number of incentive programs which afford landowners a secure financial future and enhancement of natural resource that we all benefit from,” he said.

With the recent closing of a conservation easement on Hawaii Island, the Hawaii Forest Legacy Program has assured that an additional 9,000 acres on Kealakekua Heritage Ranch will be protected forever.

The Division of Forestry and Wildlife is also currently working to protect more than 600 acres of important forested watershed lands on Molokai with this program.

Roughly 57 percent of the nation's forests are privately owned yet the country has lost 15 million acres of private working forests in the last 10 years with an additional 22 million acres projected to be at risk in the next decade.

Nationally over 2 million acres of threatened private forests have been protected under the Forest Legacy Program, of which 45,000 acres have been protected under Hawaii’s program.

The Hawaii Forest Legacy Program has identified many forestlands throughout the state as important and in need of permanent protection. More about this can be found in the State’s Assessment of Needs (www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/hflp). The Hawaii program accepts both fee title and conservation easement acquisitions.

The North Shore Chamber of Commerce Historic Preservation Committee presents "Theaters of Hawaii"

The North Shore Chamber of Commerce Historic Preservation Committee presents "Theaters of Hawaii," an illustrated talk and book signing by Lowell Angell with a special appearance by Captain Haleiwa. Mr. Angell will talk about the rich history of theaters in Hawaii and Captain Haleiwa will speak about the history of the North Shore theaters as well as his gallant attempt to prevent the demolition of the iconic Haleiwa Theater.

WHAT:

Theatres of Hawai`i, Places of Performance in the Islands, 1847-1970, an illustrated talk presented by Lowell Angell with a guest appearance by Captain Haleiwa.

WHEN: Saturday, August 13, 2011, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Haleiwa Gym across from Haleiwa Post Office

ADMISSION: $10 pre-sale and $12 at the door (includes free popcorn)

TICKETS:

Available at the Kai Ku Hale, Strong Current, and Chamber office Monday to Friday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Phone:637-4558

August Trail Volunteering Day at 'Iole

We're pleased to invite you to 'Iole's Volunteer Day on Saturday, August 13th. Come help us maintain and improve 'Iole's beautiful trails. Stay for catered lunch! Bring friends and spread the word!

Where:

Bond Historic District Homestead 53-496 'Iole Rd.
1/2mile past Kapa'au Town's King Kamehameha statue
Turn right (mauka) up 'Iole Rd.
'Iole's offices are below Kalahikiola Church
Kapa'au, HI

When:

Saturday August 13, 2011 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM HST



Mahalo nui for your support and kokua. We look forward to seeing you on 'Iole's trails!

Sincerely,

Kerry Balaam
'Iole
kerry@iolehawaii.com
808-889-5151

Census data gleaned from ancient farm walls

By Jim Borg, Honolulu Star Advertiser

WAIMEA, Hawaii » A study of a network of ancient earthen berms or windbreaks in North Kohala has led scientists to conclude that the population of the area quadrupled as farming intensified between 1400 and 1700.

The walls were built to protect crops, mostly sweet potatoes, from the strong prevailing trades, says Julie Field, an assistant professor of anthropology at Ohio State University in Columbus.

Field and colleagues from California and New Zealand studied ancient farmlands and abodes in five ahupuaa (land divisions) in what they call the Leeward Kohala Field System.

Their findings suggest that practical decisions made by individual households were eventually adopted by the alii (chiefs) as a means to improve agricultural productivity.

"Archaeologically this kind of research is really hard to do in most places since there is rarely a ‘signature' for the agricultural activity or a strong connection between the remains of a house and a plot of farmland," says Field. "Our study is unique in that we can trace the activities of very, very small groups of people and, from that, try to glean the larger processes of society."

IN North Kohala the signature consists of stone or earthen berms or walls that run parallel to each other along the slope contours. Their archaeological importance was first noted in 1970.

Most likely the system was put in place by individual households that produced crops for their own consumption, Field said.

"It was then appropriated by the chiefs and turned into more of a surplus production system, where they demanded that the land be put into production and more people would produce more surplus food," she said.

The windward valleys of the Kohala peninsula were settled about A.D. 1100 to 1200, and the leeward coast about 1200 to 1400, the researchers estimate.

Forty-eight radiocarbon dates from 43 residential features indicate an "exponential increase" in the number of households over the next few centuries, says the research paper, published in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. As the field system grew, more berms were built to subdivide the acreage, the scientists found.

"Within a 300-year period, 1400 A.D. to 1700 A.D., the data suggests that the population at least quadrupled, as did the number of houses," Field said. She had no estimate for the pre-1778 population.

From 2007 to 2009 the scientists mapped and excavated a range of residential features within two zones of the field system. Larger abodes were identified by terraces with sturdy stone walls on the upslope sides of the berms, which served as windbreaks and anchored more fragile thatched roofs, they report.

The researchers said that the next question is whether the field system was modified seasonally.

"That's what it looks like happened, but we need more dating of different features at the sites to be able to figure that out," Field said.