NEWS
9/9/2020 - HUI LEADERSHIP EXPRESSES CONCERN ON "ROYAL VISTAS HOUSING PROJECT"
As the hui that is responsible for the preservation and protection of the heiau in the Pualani Estates subdivision, members of the hui leadership sent letters to Hawai`i County representatives outlining major areas of concern relative to the proposed Royal Vistas housing project.
According to a Hawai`i County Planning Department document dated July 30, 2020 "The proposed project is located approximately 2.7 miles south of downtown Kailua-Kona and would consist of necessary improvements to construct up to 450 multi-family residential units in clusters of two and three-story buildings on approximately 70 acres..."
The lands of Pualani and the area in question were significant parts of the Kona Field System (KFS), a remarkable agricultural achievement that fed
and supported a large population in a fairly inhospitable area. Development in recent years had created changes to the landscape that erased, obscured and destroyed much of the history and cultural artifacts that lay
in and on the land. In one of its strongest statements the hui pointed out "That history is gone. It cannot be recreated."
The hui is asking the public to share their mana`o with county officials so these ancient lands can be protected from further destruction and desecration. We must malama ka aina.
. 
To: Michael Yee, Hawai`i County Planning Director
To: Maxine Cutler,
County of Hawai'i -
Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission
8/5/2020 - HUI VIDEOS RESET
Visitors to the Keau Kukui `Ula website can now view videos from the archives with one click. All of the videos are now visible by going to the heiau's Resource page. There, visitors will be able to see all of the videos available to the public. Just click and watch!
7/7/2020 - SPIKE IN VIRUS POSTPONES HUI GATHERING
Coming off two holidays (Memorial Day and July 4th), opening of inter-island travel, and the recent spike in virus contaminations in Hawai`i, the Hui has again decided to postpone its monthly meeting that was scheduled for July 13th. Important work and discussions are being pended or will continue while observing proper distancing on an as needed basis.
For a schedule of upcoming monthly meetings go here.
6/21/2020 - WORK OF THE HUI CONTINUES DURING CORONA PANDEMIC
Throughout the virus pandemic Hui members continue to monitor the heiau by conducting routine inspections, coordinating work with the maintenance crew, and communicating with cultural pratitioners and historians. A lot of behind the scenes work continues as members gear up and prepare for the gradual lifting of the virus restrictions by the Hawaiian Government. Hopefully most of its work can resume by August. Some of its objectives have either been postponed or moved back due to accomodate the restrictions.
To date the heiau is at its best condition since oversight by the Hui began in 2015.
5/27/2020 - MAINTENANCE EXPANDED TO ENTIRE HEIAU GROUNDS
Routine inspection of the heiau was conducted on May 26. Ho`okupu was offered prior to the inspection.
The heiau maintenance crew is now maintaining a section of the heiau referred to as the southern "triangle" area. The section faces N. Haku Mele street.
This area was thought to be part of adjacent properties and the hui has determined that it is part of the preservation site. Maintenance started immediately and will be part of our monthly maintenance service schedule.
In late May it was reported that kukui branches had fallen near the main structure of the heiau (probably due to recent weather conditions). An inspection was made and the fallen branches were cut up to mitigate removal of the branches and avoid damage to the heiau structure. There was no damage to the heiau platform.
A follow up inspection was made a few days later to ensure no other branches had fallen. During the second inspection, the Hui decided to trim two other low hanging branches to avoid a similar situation in the future.
5/6/2020 - ADJUSTING TO THE EXTENDED PANDEMIC STAY AT HOME SITUATION 
Hui members have been working at home balancing their time to stay within the guidelines of the corona virus pandemic as they manage the heiau's responsibilities and activities.
Leading up to the stay-at-home restrictions, the following measures were taken:
- We have completed the ti leaf planting on the Paulehia street side
- The Hui's monthly meetings have been postponed - the next scheduled meeting is June 9, pending any unforeseen restrictions
- Kohanaiki field trip - canceled, to be rescheduled
- May 16th Kukui Talk Story - cancelled/to be rescheduled
- Meetings with Kona cultural historians - to be rescheduled
- Lecture on the Kona Field system - cancelled
- We rewalked the heiau boundary with our maintenance crew to get a clearer understanding of the heiau's perimeter to resolve property boundary issues
Looking ahead the hui is working on the following:
- Follow up meeting with the County CRC (Cultural Resource Commission)
- Reconstruction of the leaf skirt fence at the top of the stairway
- Developing a revised heiau plan for submission to the Hawaiian Government for approval.
- Adjusting project time lines affected by the corona virus pandemic
- Get back on track on programs and activities
5/5/2020 - MAINTENANCE CONTINUES AT HEIAU DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
In order to maintain their distances during the coronavirus pandemic, hui members and maintenance crew members have been maintaining the heiau grounds individually (as opposed to a gathered group) on an as needed basis. Several of the projects scheduled by the hui have either been canceled all together or postponed until the crisis has passed. The hui predicts that several of its projects and goals (including its revised proposal to the Hawaiian Government for a new heiau educational pathway) may be delayed or impacted by the stay-at-home restrictions.
More will be known in a couple of months as to the severity of the impact once things are normalized and a review of the hui's projects and goals can be re-evaluated..
4/26/2020 - STAIRWAY KI
In early April the Hui planted ki on both sides of the heiau stairway. The recent rains and watering by volunteers have improved the survival rate of the new plantings.
The ki is a very versatile plant. In traditional Hawaiian culture, ki are considered to be sacred to Lono, the Hawaiian God of fertility (of whom the heiau is dedicated to) and Laka, the Goddess of Hula. The planting of the ki, a canoe plant, was preceded by a ceremonial oli and an offering of ho`okupu by hui kupuna Kealani Winter and Likeke Bumanglag.
In ancient times as well as today the leaves are used for many purposes such as in food, medicine, shelter, clothing, footwear, spiritual power, hula, offerings, and lei-making.
The ki plant, like the kukui, were worn or carried as protection, high rank, and divine power. We often see ki used to bless new buildings and projects. It is one of the most commonly used leaves in Hawai`i today. At the heiau the ki represents protection and cleansing.
1/25/2020 - JANUARY 2020 HUI REPORT
The latest Hui committee report is available on-line. You can read the report in PDF format by clicking here.
1/20/2020 - HUI TO MAKE FIELD TRIP TO HISTORIC KOHANAIKI - POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC 
Kohanaiki (formerly known as "Pine Trees") is part of a traditional land ahupua`a that once sustained a thriving population. It continues to be a gathering place dedicated to conservation, preservation, and cultural practices.
In May the hui will travel to Kohanaiki's shoreline to learn about site preservation and site management.
Early inhabitants of the area got their fish from the sea and crops from the uplands--uplands similar to those above Keau Kukui `Ula's ahupua`a. The hui's mission is to learn how plants and structures in the area were maintained, used, and managed. This knowledge will provide a greater understanding of fundamental land use that will be helpful managing and preserving the Keau Kukui `Ula site.
The field trip will include examining structures and artifacts, land use, a star compass, and indigenous plants. Knowledge gained from the trip will be helpful in understanding Keau Kukui `Ula's surroundings.
The trip is expected to take half day.
Other field trips will include sites along the Kona and Kohala Coasts and a Hanohano lecture series on the Kona Field System scheduled for April.
1/20/2020 - KUKUI TRIMMED
The lower branches of the kukui trees were trimmed to protect the pohaku structure of the heiau. The removal of the lower branches avoided branches to erode the structure during strong winds.
1/16/2020 - HUI PREPARES NEW PROPOSAL TO HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT
Hui members recently conducted a survey for a new informational pathway would enable the public to better understand its history. The current layout was damaged and desecrated when Pualani was built.
The new proposal, required by the Hawaiian Government, will be submitted to the Government for approval. The pathway, when opened to the public, will guide visitors to the site's history, significance, and care.
