Save Makaweli Poi Mill

Hi All,
A situation has come up that encourages me to seek your help. It's the Makaweli Poi Mill (located at Waimea, Kaua'i) situation. A few years ago, OHA, through one of its limited liability corporations, Hi'ilei LLC, bought the mill,... probably, in hopes to maintain and sustain this cultural gem in west Kaua'i.
Makaweli Valley is a small "offshoot" valley of Waimea Valley where kalo farming has been taking place for, shall I say, centuries.
The Ching family (my family) has been in the valley over a hundred years - as this is where my father was born (in 1907) and raised. My brother Kenneth continues the family interest in the "family" farm there.
Anyway, the Mill was managed and administered by a non-farmer(s) - it seems with little or no cultural and "local" wherewithall.
And the Mill was literally "run into the ground" -  suspicions indicate that the Mill was torpedoed from within. Even the recent hiring of a new manager hasn't provided the necessary time and effort to save the operation. Micro-managing and favoritism, among other things, have caused irreparable harm - as the possibility of ear-marked funds for improving Mill operations seems to have been diverted to other projects in other places. Or was the present downfall of the Mill's closing the logical result of poor decision-making and wasted resources? For instance - that bookkeepers in Honolulu are paid more than what the kalo farmers - the backbone of the entire operation - make - is truly ridiculous. Unnecessary plane trips and non-productive marketing schemes are also part of the waste of necessary resources. Unfortunately, even Acts of God, such as devastating floods aren't allowed or tolerated. Well, the results are here - and notice has been given - I'm not sure by whom - that the Mill is destined for shutdown on May 24 (not a lot of time for the community, kalo farmers and mill workers to come up with possibly viable alternatives). However, to throw the economy of mahi'ai kalo and mill workers - and the economy and culture of west Kaua'i - to the dogs cannot be the pono way to go. Even as plans to start up such an operation needed important forethought, the shutting down of such an operation deserves the same consideration. Two weeks do not allow sufficient time for those whose lives (even those of consumers) to possibly provide viable alternatives to save this cultural gem of west Kaua'i.
If you concur - please follow the link and sign the petition. And if you're further moved - send your concerns to OHA's Administrator - Dr. Kamana'o Crabbe - and to OHA's trustees. Forwarding this plea to others in your network would be most appreciated.  Mahalo piha. ku ________________
MAKAWELI POI MILL operations are being suspended against the wishes of the farmers, employees and community. Mill owner, Hi'ipoi LLC has suddenly and unreasonably given the poi mill and employees 2 weeks notice, with highly questionable plans for the mill's future and no community input. Last day of operations might be May 24th. We need this poi mill as a pono source of healthy food and to support the perpetuation of cultural and agricultural practices that strengthen our community. Makaweli Poi provides 2,000-10,000 healthy servings of poi per week! Makaweli Poi Mill supports approx. 10 taro farmers and 15 employees. We ask that the leadership of Hiipoi LLC follow through on mission to malama the west Kaua'i taro farming community with practical support programs, empower the next generation of taro farmers, and realistically ensure a sustainable future for Makaweli Poi Mill business. Please keep Makaweli Poi Mill operating today and for future generations. Personal letters of support can also be sent to makaweli.poi@gmail.com
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-makaweli-poi/
Name: Clarence Ching on May 17, 2012 Comments: Closing the mill will leave a small collective of traditional kalo mahi'ai in a small corner of Hawai'i and consumers who can't find comparable product anywhere high and dry. This proposed action may well terminate over a hundred years of my family's involvement in kalo culture in this unique area.
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  • hi Ku,

    perhaps we could help...............need to know information about the area.........the lands that you're on has Royal Patents and Land Commission Awards.........additionally, part of the lands usually adjacent belongs to Alii ........

    Much of the land purchases in the Hawaiian Islands are based by those who have no title.

    All kanaka maoli have at least rights of native tenants, but in your case it appears that your family may be the ones holding title.

    Many kanaka maoli have returned to their lands, and are aided by some legal assistance from our family and others.

    Would be glad to help you folks too................. theiolani@gmail.com

    aloha.

    ref:

    GET OFF THE BEACHES AND GET BACK ON YOUR LANDS!!!

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    Royal Tidings 2011- November 30: Reclaim Your Lands! No Hawaiian/kanaka maoli should be on the beach!

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    More
    cleardot.gifcleardot.gifAmelia Gora
    show details 8:05 PM (0 minutes ago)
    Greetings Everyone,

    Press Releases

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    Posted legal documents to use for your own family claims ....1) RP/Lca - Land Commission award that says "ano alodio" 2) Survey Notes 3) Case precedence - copy off the files Kalama vs. Kekuanaoa et. als. and 4) Hawaii Revised Statutes 172.11 ...........maka ala! reclaim your lands! remember, we live amongst criminal deviants, Pirates on the high seas! keep in contact with kanaka maoli........and i don't mean OHA an entity which is not part of the real Hawaiian Government! See HAWAIIAN REPORTS Vol. 2 case Rex vs. Booth for the answers!........aloha....and yes, the families are here.....our Sovereign - Kamehameha ; Kamehameha III heirs too...and the House of Nobles ---permanent parts of the Hawaiian Government...........fo real! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxVaIEaVioE
    s425.photobucket.com


    aloha.

    btw It appears there's going to be meetings between OHA and ABERCROMBIE et. als. pertaining to the "ceded lands".....WICKED People..........

    There's lots to share but don't want to let that out yet..........................lots of SELLOUTS around us..........watch look listen!

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z52tcnDFSeQ&feature=endscreen&am...

    Night Marchers - Sudden Rushby danni9670632,261 views
    youtube.gifYouTube - Videos from this email

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    There is a new post on the Malu 'Aina blog: 'A Travesty of Justice!'

    The Slippery Slope of Indefinite Detention!
    On New Year's eve, with press rooms closed and citizens partying, President
    Barack Obama signed into law the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act H.R.
    1540. NDAA directs $662 billion dollars towards war appropriations which are
    desperately needed for housing, jobs, health care, schools, etc. It also puts
    dangerous new sanctions [...]

    See the entire post here:
    http://malu-aina.org/?p=1030

    ********************************************************


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    CLAIMING YOUR ANCESTORS LANDS --- ALLODIAL ISSUES.....

    The following article was posted in the IOLANI - The Royal Hawk.

    This message is being sent again because the EXHIBIT section was not covered.

    The legal documents should contain the following in the following order:

    1) Cover page (covers ancestors name, RP/Royal Patent Number, LCA/ Land Commission Award number

    2) Affidavit/Certification (family genealogies)

    3) Heirs and Assigns page

    4) EXHIBITS (Write EXHIBITS in top right hand corner):
    a. RP/Royal Patent LCA/Land Commission Award brief history (shows names of deceased owners and successors)
    b. Survey Notes (obtain from the Archives, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii) which shows the map, dimensions of the land(s). (ask the Archivist how to obtain your survey notes..... also ask how to look at the books available documenting awards from the Great Mahele/ Kamehameha III period, an extra step to take is to find out the testimonies in regards to the parcel(s)/lands belonging to your families.

    5) JURAT, NOTARY page

    6) Xerox two (2) or more sets. The notary usually wants to do only two (2) for a set. If more copies are needed for family members, you could make copies after the notary signs the documents, and even after the filing is completed.

    7) obtain a notary signature from your Credit Union, bank --- First Hawaiian Bank has a preferred customer account that you may be able to qualify for......worth it because the cost of a Notary will be nothing/free..........at the Credit Unions and some banks also give free notary signature......cousin paid about $50 a couple of weeks ago ---$5 per notary signature.

    8) take the two (2) sets of documents to the Bureau of Conveyances, Regular System section and pay $25 for a set which covers up to 20 pages. Any amount of pages over 20 will cost $1 per page.

    9) The Bureau of Conveyances located on Punchbowl Street is open in the mornings till 3:30 p.m. They do not accept documents later than that time. (Mondays-Fridays (Holidays closed)).

    aloha and malama pono.

    p.s. Kindly disperse info/e-mail(s) to all your families/friends/other Hawaiian aboriginal /kanaka maoli.

    IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI OIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI OIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI OIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI OIOIOIOIOIOIO

    IMPORTANT... ......... ..I M P O R T A N T>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>IMPORTANT!

    ABORIGINAL HAWAIIANS/KANAKA MAOLI ---NOTE THIS:

    RESCIND YOUR SIGNATURE AT KAU INOA - OHA/Office of Hawaiian Affairs and MAINTAIN YOUR INHERITANCE/ HEREDITARY RIGHTS!

    Prepare your legal documents through Affidavits/Certific ations utilizing the following format after documenting your genealogies, notarizing your signature and file by paying $25 for 20 pages at the Bureau of Conveyances, Miller Street, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.

    The format, including updated JURAT page:

    ********* **
    Aboriginal Hawaiians/kanaka maoli land claims. Use the following as an example only... insert your own names, genealogies, etc in your documentation:

    The following pages are formats to be used in filing documents at the Bureau of Conveyances. The cost is $25 for 20 pages. The hours of filing is Monday thru Fridays until 3:30 P.M.

    page 1





    LAND COURT SYSTEM REGULAR SYSTEM

    ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ___
    AFTER RECORDATION, RETURN BY MAIL ( ) PICKUP ( )


    He Mokupuni Pae Aina O Hawaii
    c/o Francis Keoua Gora, Amelia Kuulei Gora
    P.O Box 861066
    Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii 96786 Total Pages: ____________

    ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ___
    TITLE OF DOCUMENT:



    Declaration/ Affidavit/ Notice of Francis Keoua Gora,
    Declaration/ Affidavit/ Notice of Amelia Kuulei Gora,
    and
    Kamehameha III to (your ancestors name)
    LCA RP


    ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _


    Affecting the right, title and interest of the lands under the name Leileiohoku, etals., the Public Land Trust, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, STATE OF HAWAII & ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING INTEREST IN THESE LANDS, in and to the property filed in the Office of the Assistant Registrar of the Land Court as follows:


    (on to page 2)

    Declaration/ Affidavit
    of Heirs & Assigns
    of
    (your ancestors name)



    Notice is hereby given in the presence of the almighty
    Iesu Kristo and beffore, during and after the expressed truth is
    submitted in this undertaking, that in the _______day of _September_in the
    year of our lord two thousand and seven, that the following declaration
    in the form of an affidavit is made first hand knowledge in truth, with
    clean hands and in good faith. However, if for any reason this
    document should raise any questions as to form, as a declaration or an
    affidavit then the requirement is made for the benefit of the contents within
    this file to support the latter and their heirs and or assigns,
    Amene...
    Kamehameha III to (your ancestors name/name land is under)


    Heirs and Assigns of (your ancestors name/name land under)

    1. WHEREAS; ______, aka's, kane is the son of _________, kane and __________, wahine.
    2. WHEREAS;____ _______, aka's, kane is the husband of _____, wahine.
    3. WHEREAS; ________, kane is the son of __________, kane and _____, wahine, and is by and through his birth, a direct heir and assign having and holding a perfect interest and rights to(your ancestors names) ________, kane and _________, wahine.
    4. WHEREAS; _____, kane is the husband of ____________ , wahine.
    5. WHEREAS; ______, kane is the paternal father of __________, kane
    and is by and through his birth, direct heir and assign having and holding a perfect
    interest and rights to __________, kane and _________, wahine.
    6. WHEREAS; _______, Kane is the paternal father of ____________ _, wahine and is by and through her birth, a direct heir and assign having and holding a perfect interest
    and rights to _________, kane and _________, wahine.
    7. WHEREAS; ____________ _____, wahine is the maternal mother of ______,kane, and is by and through his birth, a direct heir and assign having and holding a perfect interest and rights to _______, kane and ___________, wahine.
    8. WHEREAS; ____________ ___, wahine is the maternal mother of ________, kane and is by and through his birth, a direct heir and assign having and holding a perfect interest and rights to (your ancestors names/ancestors whose name is on the lands, kane and __________, wahine.
    9. WHEREAS; __________, kane is the
    paternal father of ____________ __, wahine and is by and through his birth, a direct heir and assign having and holding a perfect interest and rights to (ancestors names/ancestors whose name is on the lands) kane and ____________ _, wahine.
    10. WHEREAS; ____________ ____, kane is the paternal father of ____________ _, kane and is by and through his birth, a direct heir and assign having and holding a perfect interest and rights to (your ancestors names/ancestors whos name is on the lands), kane and _________, wahine.



    (end of 2nd or 3rd page)


    page 3 or 4:


    HEIRS & ASSIGNS
    of
    (your name)

    (your name/spouse name) (Wahine) (H1) ________(Kane)



    Children
    1A. ____________ ___ (Wahine or kane)

    2A. ____________ ____(Wahine or Kane)

    Children

    2a1. __________ (Wahine or Kane)
    2a2. __________ (Wahine or Kane)
    2a3. ___________( Wahine or Kane)
    2a4. ____________ (Wahine or Kane)

    3A. ____________ _________ _(Wahine or Kane)

    4A. ____________ _________ __(Wahine or Kane)

    5A. ____________ _________ __(Wahine or Kane)

    (etc.)

    (end of page)

    page 5 /6 +

    ROYAL PATENT / RP and LCA/Land Commission Awards Brief History


    RP 356 LCA 2113

    Kamehameha III to Keawe


    Keawe (dec.)

    son: David Keawe (dec.)

    grandaughter: Mele Keawe (dec.)

    great grandaughter: Mary Kauweloa (dec.)

    Successors/Surviving descendants:

    great great grandaughter: Mary XXXX

    great great great grandaughter: Amelia XXXX

    great great great great grandaughter(s)/grandson(s): names


    ---end of page---


    page 5 or 6

    JURAT

    /Acknowledgement of Notary for identification purposes only

    He Mokupuni Pae Aina o Hawaii )
    (132+ islands since 1810)

    entities:

    State of Hawaii )
    : SS.
    City and County of Honolulu )



    I, Me, We, Amelia Kuulei Gora, Francis Keoua Gora, heir(s) and assign(s) on our own
    unlimited free will and act found to be in good and due form, hereby certify attest assert and
    declare, as witness by all our hands and seals, that I, me, we have read the above
    Declaration/ Affidavit and all know the contents to be correct and complete and not
    misleading, to be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth in the presence of God.


    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the heirs have executed these documents in accordance with the
    above paragraph on this ___5th___ day of ____September_ __, 2007.


    ____________ _________ _________ ________
    Amelia Kuulei Gora, Heir


    ____________ _________ _________ _________
    Francis Keoua Gora, Heir



    STATE OF HAWAII )
    : SS.
    CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU )


    On this ___5th____ day of ____September_ __, 2007, before me personally
    appeared Amelia Kuulei Gora, and Francis Keoua Gora, to me known to be the persons
    described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledges that the State
    Notary Public is for identification purposes only. Use of Notary Public does not authorize
    the jurisdiction of any entity over the heirs. The heirs are the sovereign bodies of the Royal
    Families of the Crown of He Mokupuni Pae Aina o Hawaii, as established by H.R.M. King
    Kamehameha III son of H.R.M. King Kamehameha I, who entered into International Treaty
    with the United States signed at Washington December 20, 1849, ratified by the President
    of the United States on February 4, 1850 and entered into force August 24, 1850.


    ____________ _________ _________ _________ _____
    Notary Public, State of Hawaii

    My Commission expires:____ _________ _________ _


    Print name of Notary: ____________ _________ _____







    end of page________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _


    *note: credits to Cousins Nani/Ewalani K.; Alfred Spinney; Shane Lee; others from Maui, Big Island, Molokai, etc.

    aloha.

    ************ ********* ********* ********* ********* *********
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    "Living in a Sovereign Land" around da island p4
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    11 months ago 962 views ysabelrocks

    KINGDOM OF HAWAII, HAWAIIAN KINGDOM, HE MOKUPUNI PAE AINA O HAWAII aka's
  • I too have been in a similar situation with OHA, I knew better to try and elevate myself to college through the help of OHA.  My conclusion is that OHA pulls one into a situation that has steps to fail and zero problem solving.  It's interesting that I just had this conversation over breakfast with some friends of mind.  The Anglo Saxon system is failing around us.  We seem to think that the great white hope is there for us and we just buy into their corporate gains, and not the long term purposes that Haloa has to offer.  One that fed the world through blood and toil. It  seems what is missing from the processes of culture practices is the lack of love for the aina and it's people.  Haloa feeds the world and that is our beginning and full intentions for the future generations.  

    On the business level, Na Hana Lima had a Hawaiian beginning.  From my perspective, the outsiders came in with full intent to debunk the thriving business of Hawaiian artisans in Waianae.  It took a month for the new people (non Hawaiians) to literally run the shop into the ground and close the door on retailing of Hawaiian art in Waianae.  It was a sad moment for many of us that stood by and watched this mess happen.  Grants had been milked dry by non Hawaiians and it was time to close the shop because of it's possible auditing.  My second thoughts were that if we had our arts, Waianae would have an economic base through their sells and marketing to the world.  But, it was too Hawaiian in my opinion and very successful.  

    Much aloha to you and everything that you represent, may your ohana find peace in the days to come.

    •  Mahalo for your views.   You are totally correct. 

      Additionally, to have this kind of hakaka over many aspects of Haloa is totally against the culture - at least my culture.
       
      ku
       
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