Report Title:

Nanakuli Homestead Cemetery; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds from the Hawaiian Home Trust Fund for the upkeep of the Nanakuli Homestead Cemetery. (SB498 HD1)

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

498

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for the nanakuli homestead cemetery.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Native Hawaiian people, like most people in the world, have a deep respect and love for their ancestors and treasure the remains of their ancestors. Hawaiians believe that their ancestors have a special place amongst the living. It is their "mana" that gives strength and power to the living to overcome adversity.

It is customary for Hawaiians, at the start of a meeting or gathering, to begin with a genealogy of their family. Hawaiians talk about their ancestors and the deeds they accomplished in days gone by. Included in those remarks is a brief history and description of the area. This oral repetition ingrains in the present Hawaiian community the history and culture of their "kupuna". The bond between the living and the dead is strengthened. The old ones have a place in the hearts of the living that does not diminish, but grows.

Nanakuli Hawaiian homestead has a cemetery within its boundaries. The Nanakuli community has taken it upon itself to maintain the site. Unlike commercial cemeteries which have built in funding sources for maintenance and preservation of the grounds, the Nanakuli Hawaiian homestead cemetery does not. With only limited financial support from the department of Hawaiian home lands over the years, the Nanakuli community has done its best to maintain the cemetery.

The deterioration of the cemetery has been a major sore point with the residents of the community. Many residents have come forward to volunteer their services to try to stop the degradation to give the kupuna a proper resting place. However, with limited financial support, the projects were small in scale and did not really stop the deterioration.

Since December 1992, clean up and beautification projects have been ongoing. The Nanakuli Hawaiian homestead community association has solicited community organizations and groups to participate in the monthly clean up and beautification projects. The association has had numerous church organizations such as Nanaikapono Protestant Church, Door of Faith Church, Nanakuli Mormon Church, etc., Nanakuli high school clubs, Ike Loa Kulana club, travel industry club, etc., community groups, Boy Scouts of Waianae, and the Nanakuli neighborhood housing service participating in one or more clean up and beautification projects.

Much work still must be done such as clearing and removing rocks, setting and replacement of original grave markers, importing soil, constructing retaining walls, grading and filling driveways, replanting trees and plants, the placement and pouring of sidewalks where needed, and other restoration work as necessary.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the Hawaiian home trust fund the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 for the maintenance and upkeep of the Nanakuli homestead cemetery as follows:

Estimates of project expenses

Section "A" (Mormon area) $1

Section "B" (Protestant area) $1

Section "C" (Catholic area) $1

Section "D" (Pentecostal area) $1

Total project request $4

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of Hawaiian home lands for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.