[CPEO-MEF] Hawaiians revive Makahiki in Makua Valley

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Hawaiians revive Makahiki in Makua Valley 

By William Cole 
Advertiser Military Writer

Members of the Hawaiian community yesterday and today celebrated a 
return to the old ways in Makua Valley with an overnight stay and 
offerings for the close of the Makahiki season ? a tradition not seen 
for generations in the Wai'anae Coast valley. 

"This is probably the first time in about 180 years that this Makahiki 
ceremony has been celebrated in Makua," said Wai'anae resident William 
Aila Jr., who has relatives who lived and are buried in the valley. 

The disappearance of the kapu system first put an end to the 
celebration, Aila said. That was followed by the military takeover of 
the valley at the outbreak of World War II for target practice. 

But the October settlement of a lawsuit with the Army allowing training 
to resume after a three-year absence also has meant greater community 
involvement in the valley, and the community is looking ahead at more to 
come.

The guarantee of community access two days a month and the opportunity 
for two overnight stays each year came out of the agreement, said 
Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund attorney David Henkin. 

The settlement also calls for the 25th Infantry Division (Light) to 
submit for approval to the Department of the Army a plan to remove 
unexploded ordnance within 1,000 meters of Farrington Highway and within 
a year, identify "high-priority" areas for ordnance clearance with the 
intent of increasing access to cultural sites. 

The complete story can be viewed at:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Feb/16/ln/ln07a.html