Restoring an Ancient Hawaii Hale

Just a short time ago, sugarcane production on Maui came to halt, Puunene Mill, Maui’s last sugarcane producer decided to cease operations. However, one Big Island nonprofit has found an alternative use to the left over stalks and is putting it to good use in ode to Kamehameha I, the one and only ali’i (hawaiian chief) to unite the Hawaiian islands.

Ahu’ena Heiau Inc. and a local group of Maui volunteers devoted their Saturday (9/16) to stripping sugarcane leaves and preparing for shipment to Kona. The 40,000 sugarcane leaves will be utilized as an essential piece of material in restoring an ancient hale (house in Hawaiian) once occupied by Kamehameha the Great.

Kenneth Nainoa Perry, a kupuna consultant and former board member of Ahu’ena Heiau stated, “We’re here because, on our island, we don’t have sugar cane leaves in abundance anymore. We were blown away by the enthusiasm, the support and the hard work that everybody put in. We set aside two days to do this project, but they accomplished it in one.”

The leaves are critical in rebuilding the hale and will be used to finish thatching and restoring the residence that occupies the perimeter of Kailua Bay at the Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark. Although a modest 10 foot by 20 foot long structure, the hale may be small in size but ultimately represents something bigger than just a residence.

In 1812, Kamakahonu became the primary residence of Kamehameha where he also worshiped and governed. It is believed, it had at least 11 structures, including a sleeping quarters, a men’s house, stone storehouses, and an eating house of his favorite wife, Queen Ka’ahumanu. It also included a heiau (hawaiian word for temple), where it is believed Kamehameha held highly protected secret council meetings with advisers, and provided guidance in the form of governance to his heir, Liholiho.

Ahu’ena Heiau has since taken over the kuleana (hawaiian for responsibility) of caring for and maintaining the the historic site. Perry has been under strict instructions to keep the grounds as original as possible and is one of the few men in Kona able to thatch with sugarcane leaves, “I remember the kupuna, the kahu that passed away, he kept emphasizing, ‘Nainoa, don’t ever change the thatching.’ A lot of places used loulu palms and pili grass, but this particular place (sugar cane leaves) were the thatching materials from day one. The kupuna told me to keep this going, to never change it.”

Ahu’ena Heiau knew from the beginning they weren’t going to fins sugarcane on the Big Island since the last harvest was 1996, according to the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center. In order to meet the 40,000 sugarcane leaves they estimated they would need, they turned to the island of Maui as it is the last island to cultivated it.

Since the ending of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. in December, parent company Alexander & Baldwin has been maintaining the sugarcane fields in an effort to keep them from overgrowing out of control. When Mae Nakahata, A&B’s director for agricultural research, heard about their need for leaves, she was more than willing to aid their efforts. She went on to say, it was only right and fitting Maui’s last sugarcane leaves went to a place of such historical significance.

Perry knew the task would be a difficult undertaking and reached out to the the Royal Order of Kamehameha I chapter on Maui to see if they could team up in the effort. Member Carl Kaupalolo was able to rally about 50 volunteers to help with the assembly process.

Kaupalolo went on to say, “For us it’s just important to continue the cultural kinds of things we do. We would love to help to restore that hale there to its rightful restoration that it needs, (while also) continuing the education for our community and our younger generation.”

Jacqueline Awa, treasurer and director of Ahu’ena Heiau, stated they hope to begin restoration within the next to months and expect the project to be completed by the middle of December.

Awa and Perry said they would “never forget this experience on Maui” and that they were very grateful to all the volunteers and businesses that pitched in.

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