Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013

A NATIVE HAWAIIAN MAKAHIKI SITE between Na`alehu Police Station and Na`alehu town, along Hwy 11, is the subject of discussion regarding its possible preservation. The county considered using the state land and a smaller adjacent private property for the proposed Na`alehu sewage treatment plant until archaeological surveys revealed the existence of the ancient Hawaiian playing field on both properties.

      Most of the makahiki site is state land. The owners of the smaller 13-acre property, James and Elizabeth Weatherford, said they were considering farming and putting up a produce stand on their portion of the site until they learned of its historic significance. They said this morning that they are hoping that it will be acquired by an agency or organization that will steward the property.
      Pacific Legacy, Inc., which conducted the archaeological survey of the surrounding state land, noted that part of the land on old maps was called Kahua-olohu and was described in the famous book of archaeology and history, Native Planters of Old Hawai`i: “The famous bowling field named Kahua-olohu (maika [bowling] stones were called olohu in Ka`u) was just below the present town of Na`alehu. It is a large level area to seaward of the road which must have been cleared and graded. In old Hawaiian times this broad kahua or plaza was used not just for bowling, but for other sports such as boxing, javelin throwing, and hula dancing during the Makahiki festival.”
      Diana Prentiss, of Lotus Properties, who is helping the Weatherfords with the property, said the land has a 1,625-foot-long frontage along Hwy 11 that would provide a natural parking area for those visiting the makahiki site. Those interested in helping with the project can call her at 989-8777.

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD is an original co-sponsor of the Military Retirement Restoration Act, a bill that would repeal planned cuts to military retiree cost-of-living adjustments that were included in the Bipartisan Budget Act last week. The Military Retirement Restoration Act would replace the cuts to military retiree benefits by closing loopholes and preventing companies from avoiding U.S. taxes by abusing overseas tax havens.
      “It is unacceptable to backpedal on the commitment we have made to our men and women in uniform who raise their hand to serve and put their lives on the line for us,” said Gabbard. “While it was far from perfect, the Bipartisan Budget Act was a modest step in the right direction to help us avert preventable government crises; however, we cannot pay for the agreement by short-changing our military retirees.”

REP. TULSI GABBARD, WHOSE ELECTION as the first Hindu in the U.S. Congress made headlines in media in India, has released a statement about the treatment of an Indian diplomat recently arrested on charges of submitting false papers relating to domestic help. 

      “Diplomats play a vital role in our ever-shrinking globalized world,” Gabbard said. “Among America’s partnerships, the importance of our alliance with India cannot be overstated. This is why I was disappointed to hear initial reports about the treatment of Devyani Khobragade, India’s deputy consul general in New York. While we must ensure our laws are being followed by all those who reside in or visit our country, it is also essential that foreign diplomats in the U.S. are treated with dignity, respect and sensitivity, as we expect the same for our own diplomats abroad.
      “Our relationship with India is deeply valued, and the progress we are making on economic, political and security issues is key in Asia and the Pacific region. I urge the State Department to work with its counterparts in India to ensure our relationship remains strong and to ensure our law enforcement agencies put appropriate protocols in place for these situations.”
      Gabbard, who is currently in Hawai`i on a statewide trip, visits Hilo today to meet with leaders of agencies and organizations that promote social justice and reduce recidivism.