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http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/chair/pio/nr/2008/N8-126.pdf

For Immediate Release: October 28, 2008
DLNR CLARIFIES HISTORY,
FUTURE OF ‘AHUPUA‘A ‘O KAHANA STATE PARK
HONOLULU – Following the purchase of the Kahana ahupua‘a by the State in 1970 for park
purposes, the resident families then living in Kahana Valley and members of the surrounding
community joined with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to develop the
unique concept of a "living park" to preserve the natural and cultural landscape of an intact
‘ahupua‘a.
"The department respects the original vision of the living park, and dedication of the many
community members who spent approximately 15 years developing plans to accommodate a
limited number of private residential leases in the park where each lessee provides 25 hours a
month in interpretive services supporting the living park in place of a lease rent," said Laura H.
Thielen, DLNR chairperson
"This agreement struck a balance between the interests of the original valley residents and the
broader public park purpose where educational opportunities would be provided to visitors by
the residents," she said.
"The balance recognized that the number of lots could not increase, otherwise the public park
would eventually become a private subdivision. The families recognized that as their children
grew up, not all of them would be able to remain in the park or build new homes there."
Over time, several adult children honored the agreement and moved out of the valley. Six
families however remained on site without leases in the hope of receiving a lease. When three
leases were defaulted, 28 families applied for new leases, including some of the adult children
and relatives of original tenants who honored the agreement and left the valley but who want to
return.
In March 2008 the Attorney General notified the department there is no legal authority to issue
any new leases.
"While we understand the emotional attachment and history these six families have to this
valley, it would be unfair to penalize the adult children who honored the agreement and moved
out, and it would be unfair to the public to keep increasing the number of lots over time and lose
the public park," said Thielen.
"We will give the six families a bit more time to prepare to move, and we will bring additional
transition service providers this week to provide assistance to help with this transition. I
recognize that up until last summer the families and the department thought there would be an
opportunity to issue three leases, and that the families need more assistance and time to prepare
themselves. We met with the families earlier this year to discuss the decision and brought
service providers to assist them in their move, but I can understand that they were not prepared to
accept the decision at that time. Accordingly we will not move forward with any eviction this
week.
"I have shared my concerns with Representative Meyer and Senator Hee and am willing to sit
down with them again tomorrow. I will also be seeking a meeting with the six families to talk
the matter over with them directly to see if there is any additional assistance the department can
provide. However, I strongly encourage the families to take advantage of the service providers
we are bringing to assist because I have not yet heard a solution that respects the original
agreement, is fair to the adult children and residents who followed that agreement, and protects
public interest in the living park."
DLNR is continuing to work with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Alu Like, Catholic
Charities and others to find transitional services for the six families.
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For more information news media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public information specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320