Dozens protest Kawaiahao Church construction
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Reported by: Manolo Morales Email: mmorales@khon2.com Last Update: 2/17 6:12 pm |
The battle is escalating between Native Hawaiians and Kawaiahao Church.
Protesters gathered outside Kawaiahao Church around 6:30 a.m. Thursday because they were told that construction will continue of a $17 million multi-purpose center. Protesters say the project has already unearthed 69 sets of remains and that has drawn the anger of those who believe their ancestors or kupuna are buried here. "Stop the digging, take the fences down, take care the kupuna now,” said Kamuela Kalai. The project has been delayed for two years due to lawsuits. One was settled out of court and one is on appeal. The state has ruled that the church can continue with the project. But protesters say it's just wrong for a Hawaiian church to desecrate the graves of native Hawaiians. "They built the retaining wall for the building right up against their grave and are currently hanging a sewer line, an active sewer line along the fence of my ancestor's graves,” said Halealoha Ayau. The church says it's done everything it's supposed to do, including holding nine public meetings in the last four years. "We have been trying to be pono, is the right word in communicating with everyone, this is what we're doing. And please remember no known graves were dug up,” said Rev. Curtis Kekuna of Kawaiahao Church. The church says it is ready to move on with the project, the same way the spirits of those buried here have also moved on. "This is a Christian burial and yes the bones we placed in the aina, but their lives, their spirits are in heaven, so for us they've served us once while they were here,” said Kekuna. No work was done Thursday. But protesters plan to come back when the digging continues, possibly on Tuesday Protesters say the church's plans to build a multi-purpose center will desecrate the graves of their ancestors. |
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