Reproduced with the permission of the Lahaina News, 8/14/97:
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I wish to congratulate you on your efforts to better our local environment.
On my almost daily swims to the backside of Black Rock, I used to pick up one or two discarded soda cans.
The last two weeks, I had to pick up so much trash that I filled two commercial-size trash bags; not just cans but plastic trash with leftover food, etc. It appeared to be left there by fishermen. It was jammed against the rock crevices. With stormy weather all that trash would end up on Kaanapali Beach. That would be horrible. It would not only hurt the environment and living creatures, like turtles which I see with tumors all over their bodies, but it would hurt the tourist industry as well.
Please inform your readers not to discard these items where it can enter the ecosystem.
BASIL MILLAN
Long Beach, California
As a representative of Na Kupuna O Maui and a Native Hawaiian who has resided on Maui's West Side all of my life, I would like to respond to a recent editorial in a daily newspaper regarding North Beach. The editorial states erroneously, and with assumed authority, that the area has no special significance culturally, historically or naturally.
The ancient village of Keka'a, which is currently referred to as North Beach, was once the capital of Maui under King Kakalaaneo, and home to at least 3,000 Hawaiians. The village stretched from Makaiwi Beach, where the Hyatt Hotel now stands, to the Honokowai Stream. Within the boundaries were the sacred sites of Pu'u Keka'a, a heiau, and burial mounds. The royal taro patch of Lo'i Hi'e, the royal fish pond of Loko i'a and Ke Ala Loa, and the old King's Road were also located in this area.
Kupuna and I have personally located three sacred pohaku that clearly mark the boundaries of Keka'a. One of the pohaku has been desecrated and choked by the roots of a tree planted to hide it. Located on the Royal Ka'anapali North Golf Course is a cave named Ke Ana Pueo, where the guardian spirits are believed to dwell as owls. One of the best known spirits to have lived there was Wahine Pe'e, the hiding woman.
Pu'u Keka'a, which has been desecrated for many years, is of great spiritual significance as a sacred point where souls of the dead leaped into their ancestral spirit land. It was believed that only an individual of great spiritual strength could intrude into that world and escape without harm. Kahekili, the last chief of Maui for whom Amfac named a park, leaped from Pu'u Keka'a. He was unharmed because of his great spiritual strength. Even visitors to Maui are familiar with the sacred and cultural significance of Pu'u Keka'a, also known as Black Rock.
A battle of West Maui between two brothers, Kamehamehanui and Kauhi, sons of King Kekaulike, took place in the area. Maui chants describe many aspects of Keka'a.
These are just a few of many facts which verify the spiritual, cultural and historical significance of the area. Much of this information can be found in Amfac's history of Ka'anapali 1981.
Perhaps whoever wrote the editorial failed to do the proper homework before verbally desecrating Keka'a (North Beach). Perhaps it would have been in order to exercise humility and consideration for the Native Hawaiians who are threatened with the loss of yet another area containing their history, spirituality, way of life, and the bones of their ancestors. Shame on you for being so insensitive and uninformed when addressing such an important issue.
PATRICIA NISHIYAMA
Lahaina
This is a simple observation from someone who has been visiting Maui, months at a time, for the past 20 years.
You have your snowbirds and your sun birds; you also have your "service birds" and your "solo birds." The former prefer the free towels and pool side massages of the Kaanapali stretch. No problem there. Personal preference and great income to the island. Then there are those of us who prefer a condo or cottage with a kitchen, the Farmer's Market, and to fend for ourselves.
As naturally as Haleakala's tree line or the first class carpet at the airport separate different species, so does the North Beach stretch. In this case: big hotel spenders and Honokowai homebodies.
I sigh with relief when I hit the Honokowai turn-off on the highway. I remember the old airstrip (no big deal compared to what Amfac is after), and except for the ugly "Palm Beach Pyramid" I cringe at, I know I'm headed into my "neighborhood"... where people still say "morning," drive slower, and smile more -- no matter where they're from.
With no disrespect to the big hotels, their employees and/or guests, I think of that turn-off and North Beach's green break as the "Aloha Line" where Christian Dior and time share bullies are pau... and Maui time and talk-story start.
I urge your planners to keep it that way, or lose a side of Maui that keeps Lower Honoapiilani a home-away-from-home for so many annually.
S.P. MUDD JR.
Hong Kong
Psy 412 Miami University. Last revised: Thursday, April 18, 2002 at 23:54:04. This document has been accessed 1,474 times since July 15, 1997. Comments & Questions to R. Sherman .