Kahana: what was, what is, what can be. - Legislative Reference ...

KAHANA: WHAT WAS, WHAT IS, WHAT CAN BE
A third point is that there still was a lack of clear definition between cultural
activity, which does count toward the twenty-five-hour requirement, and maintenance,
which is not supposed to, but often does.
Residents wanted credit hours for children's contributions. They pointed out that
culturally, children worked with the `ohana, and that is how they learned the skills they
would need as an adult. One resident noted: "There's a difference between child labor
and early education." 135
The residents' comments, many of which are included in the report, convey a
deep level of frustration and weariness with the State. Many problems with the park
manager are often mentioned. One specific problem is his apparently personal decision
to keep all residents' hours a secret. This thwarts the building of community spirit and
building and passing on of skills.
One resident also brings up a problem that has haunted Kahana since the
inception of the living park concept: successorship: "Why is the lease only for 65
years? There's no provision for extension…. What about my kids' kids? I can't only
think about me now. What about my descendants?" 136
The Volunteer Survey Group makes the following conclusions:
(1) "Acknowledging only Western laws hinders the flourishing of a traditional
Hawaiian lifestyle in Kahana." Example: the current inability to count
children's hours toward the twenty-five-hour quota. The group
recommends seeking an attorney general opinion.
(2) "The residents lack a common vision and direction because of the
absence of an acceptable 'mission statement' from both the residents and
State Parks Division." While a mission statement would be adopted next
year, there is still no master plan, the tool that implements a mission
statement.
(3) "The residents need further clarification and definitions as to what is
deemed an acceptable 'Hawaiian interpretive program.'" While Exhibit C
of the lease states that general park maintenance does not count toward
the twenty-five-hour interpretive serve quota, the survey found that the
majority of the interpretive projects in place can be described as
maintenance.
(4) "The issues of 'private' and 'public' information need to be addressed."
This issue was still unaddressed at the time this study was prepared.
(5) "The development of current and future interpretive programs may be
negatively impacted by general recreational activities."
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