[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF A BILL AUTHORIZING EXPANSION OF PU'UHONUA O HONAUNAU 
                        NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

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                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2001

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to 
authorize the expansion of the Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical 
Park, which is located in South Kona on the island of Hawaii.
  Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, formerly known as the 
City of Refuge National Historical Park, was authorized by an act of 
Congress on July 26, 1955 (60 Stat. 376) ``. . . for the benefit and 
inspiration of the people . . .'' The park was formally established in 
1961. All the lands included within the park are listed on the National 
Register of Historic Places.
  The overall management goal for the historical park is for the 
resources to accurately represent a slice of time ranging from pre-
contact (circa 12th-13th century) to about 1930, when Ki'ilae Village 
was completely abandoned. The objectives developed to meet that goal 
focus on preservation, stabilization, and restoration of the park's 
cultural and natural resources.
  A significant portion of the ancient Hawaiian village of Ki'ilae lies 
outside of the current park's boundaries. The proposed addition of 805 
acres, located within the tradition land divisions of Ki'ilae ahupua'a 
and Kauleoli ahupua'a, contains significant cultural and natural 
resources, which complement the Park's mission of preservation and 
rehabilitation of Hawaiian natural, cultural, and historic resources. 
These lands contain at least 800 cultural sites, structures, and 
features; at least 25 caves (or cave openings), many of which are 
refuge caves; a minimum of 10 heiau (temples); more than 20 platforms; 
26 enclosures; over 40 burial features (or highly probable burials); 
trails and trail remnants; a minimum of 6 residential compounds; a 
holua slide; several canoe landing sites; a water well; numerous walls 
and wall remnants; and a wide range of agricultural features.
  Ancient Native Hawaiian burial sites are a particularly sensitive 
issue in Hawaii. Many descendants of the Ki'ilae villagers live in the 
area and want to make sure that the graves of their ancestors are 
respected and that archeological and historical sites are preserved. 
The local community strongly supports incorporation of these lands into 
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in co-sponsoring this bill.

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