Wao Kele O Puna“The rainforest of Puna”

Cheyenne Hiapo PerryOffice of Hawaiian Affairs

Julie LeialohaDivision of Forestry and Wildlife

Wao Kele O Puna

• Eastern slope of Kilauea• 25, 856 acres• ~1000’ to 2300’ elevation• Rainfall – 125 to 150 inches• Age substrate in Puna –

1991 –A.D. 500

History• Before European contact• After European contact• After Statehood• Currently OHA in Fee

Simple with caveats

Before contact• Before humans• Wahi Pana sacred to Pelehonuamea

– Source of regenerative power– 311, 754 acres (Island of Kaua‘i)– Most Eastern of Hawai‘i (all days begin

here)

• “Ka makani hali‘ala o Puna” – The fragrance bearing wind of Puna

• Waters of Puna originate with Käne but steam sacred to Pele

• First settlements between 300-600• Gathering – medicines, textiles, tools,

rope, food, etc.

Post contact - Chain of Title• Contact occurs – 1778• King Kamehameha I – brought all islands under his control beginning

of 19th century Kingdom of Hawaii (passes away May 8, 1819)• Kalanikua Liholiho (Kamehameha II) – ‘ai noa (passes July 14, 1824

from measles and grief)• Kalani Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III) – absolute to christian

constitutional monarchy- mahele of 1848 (chiefs “konohiki”, “government”, king “crown lands”), of the konohiki to commoners called “kuleana” lands passes December 15, 1854

• Alexander Liholiho (foster son of Kam III) (Kamehameha IV) Jan 3, 1865 statute that remaining crown lands are inalienable – Board of Commissioners of Crown Lands. He passes November 30, 1872 from chronic asthma

• Prince Lot Kamehameha (Kam V) – passes Dec 11,1872 from tuberculosis ends line of Kamehamehas

Chain of Title

• Prince William C. Lunalilo first elected king on January 2, 1873 – passes Feb 3, 1874 doesn’t appoint a successor

• David Kalakaua elected king Feb 13, 1874. Bayonet constitution 1887 - Passes Jan 20, 1891 in San Francisco

• His sister the regent becomes queen and takes the oath to maintain the constitution, attempts to abrogate bayonet constitution - Queen Liliuokalani

• On January 17, 1893 the sovereign hawaiian government is overthrown by US Navy and insurrectionist, committee of safety, Lorrin A Thurston, John L. Stevens United States Government Minister, and Big five “

Chain of title??• Provisional government – July 3, 1893 aka Republic of Hawaii

– President – Sanford Dole– New constitution– Abrogate constitution of former government

• Land Act of 1895 – crown lands and government lands = public lands• Constant strife causes republic to ask USA to annex = Territory of Hawaii

(Organic Act)– Any unencumbered lands CEDED to USA– By Joint Resolution annexation occurs July 7, 1898– April 30, 1900 the Congress of USA approves “The Hawaiian Organic

Act” – Territory of Hawaii• Territory of Hawai‘i becomes State of Hawaii March 18, 1959 under

provisions of State Constitution adopted July 22, 1950 – US Congress approves an Act to provide for the admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union

After Statehood– WKOP is Forest Reserve– 1981 by Ariyoshi part of WKOP made into a NAR– Campbell estate proposes land swap for Kahaule’a

(because of development for geothermal but covered in lava)

– In 1985 land swap occurs 27,800 of CEDED lands for 25,800 of Kahaulea

– Lengthy legal battles occur (native gathering rights, development in native forest)

– Pele Defense Fund (PDF) v Estate of James Campbell

– Big ??– OHA buys with help of TPL (Forest Legacy funds)

Ceded Lands• 1.8 million acres crown lands before the overthrow of 1893.• Annexation, the former Crown lands were given ("ceded") to

the US Federal Government. • When Hawaiʻi became a U.S. state, the lands were transferred to

the state. The federal act authorizing the transfer required that the lands be held in trust and that revenue from the land be used for five purposes:– Support of public education– Betterment of the conditions of native Hawaiians as defined in

the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920– Development of farm and home ownership– Public improvements– Provision of lands for public use

Now

• OHA history• Co-managed for 10 years according to MOA• OHA Strategic Plan

– Kahua waiwai– ’Aina– Mo’omeheu– Mauli ola– Ea– Ho‘ona‘auao

Contact Information

• Cheyenne Hiapo Perry– hiapop@oha.org– 1 (808) 754-5678

• Questions??