Events

North Shore Neighborhood Board Meeting

Created by Kawika Au (See other events)
  • Oct 26, 2009 from 8:30am to 12:00pm
  • Location: John Kalili Surf Center, Ali'i Beach Park, Haleiwa
  • Latest Activity: Jul 30, 2021
Press Conference: Tues. Oct. 27, 2009 6:30pm John Kalili Surf CenterAli’I Beach Park, HaleiwaDog Park Planned for Sacred Hawaiian SiteHaleiwa, HI – Community members on the North Shore are angry about a one acre dog park proposed for Kaiaka Bay Beach Park, the site of Kapukapuakea Heiau complex, which includes Pohaku Lana’i (a site on the State Register of Historic Places). The proposal for the dog park by the North Shore Woof Pack was approved by a majority of the North Shore Neighborhood Board in February 2009 with NO consultation with Hawaiian organizations or community members.The sacredness and significance of Kapukapuakea Heiau and the surrounding landscape has been well documented as it served as a center for ceremonial and spiritual practices, navigational training and astronomical observation. The heiau complex, (on City & County land), continues to support the practice of cultural traditions for Hawaiians and Polynesians throughout the Pacific region. A dog park will desecrate this sacred complex, is disrespectful of the host culture and conflicts with the unique cultural history of this sacred place.Kimo Armitage, Hawaiian studies professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa denounced the plan. “The push to build a dog park in one of the most sacred areas in the Pacific is the stupidest idea I have ever heard. The Woof Pack and the North Shore Neighborhood Board need to educate themselves about what that area means to the Indigenous People of the Pacific.”Kevin Suan, a board member on the Haleiwa Elementary School Community Council and parent of a student, is upset about the close proximity of the proposed dog park to the school and the negative effects it will have on the children, teachers and staff. He said that the majority of the teachers and staff do not support the location of the dog park.The plan calls for only a ten foot setback from the campus’ chain link fence which surrounds the classrooms, playground, basketball court, and field. The disruption and exposure of the children and staff to multiple barking dogs, allergy producing dander and dog hair, and the smell of feces should have alerted the NS Neighborhood board. This is an unacceptable risk to the children’s health and learning environment. Haleiwa Elementary School also contains a historic building listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. A dog park in the vicinity of this historic building would detract from its integrity and cultural value.A community demonstration and protest against the proposed dog park will take place at the North Shore Neighborhood Board meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at the John Kalili Surf Center at Ali’i Beach Park. A press conference will be held at 6:30 pm outside of the center. Armitage will be testifying on behalf of the community who oppose the building of a dog park on sacred ground. We strongly urge members of our community to attend this meeting, voice your opposition to the dog park location and support the protection of our sacred places from desecration.Mālama Kēia ‘Āina ‘o Haleiwa was formed to prevent the desecration of the Kapukapuakea Heiau Complex in Waialua, Oahu. We advocate the protection and preservation of the Hawaiian cultural landscape, traditional practices, and the support of Kanaka Maoli values, culture and ways of knowing.
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