ROD THOMPSON / RTHOMPSON@STARBULLETIN.COM
Leimomi Mookini Lum, high priestess of the Mookini Heiau in North Kohala, discussed earthquake damage yesterday with FEMA official Gary Canner. The wall is undamaged behind Canner, to the right, but is partially collapsed behind Lum, to the left. CLICK FOR LARGE
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Do not repair quake damage, heiau keeper tells the state
A high priestess tells state to leave heiau as it is
NORTH KOHALA, Hawaii » The 1,500-year-old Mookini Heiau near the northern tip of the Big Island would need $200,000 to repair its earthquake-damaged walls, according to a state consultant's report.
But Leimomi Mookini Lum, whose family members have served as high priests at the temple since it was founded about 480 A.D., does not want it repaired.
"It has been here 1,500 years," she said. "I'm not going to change it. I'm 80. I don't look that good, but I looked good when I was 20."
Lum led a tour of the temple yesterday for five officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and two from the Division of State Parks.
The heiau is a state monument. FEMA would have to decide whether to reimburse any money spent by the state on repairs.
When Castle & Cooke Inc. and Bishop Estate donated the heiau to the state in 1978, the land transfer contained a stipulation that the state would have to consult with Lum or her successors on all matters relating to the heiau. Other stipulations banned archaeological excavations or restorations.
Lum said she is committed to letting the structure age.
She said she told state and federal officials a little more than a week ago that she was against making repairs to the Oct. 15 earthquake damage, but they wanted to get a firsthand look.
State parks program manager Steve Thompson indicated the state is heeding Lum's wishes.
ROD THOMPSON / RTHOMPSON@STARBULLETIN.COM
Leimomi Mookini Lum, high priestess of the Mookini Heiau in North Kohala, gave officials a tour of the site yesterday. Her family has cared for the heiau since its founding in 480 A.D. CLICK FOR LARGE
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"We're waiting for direction from her as to whether it will be rebuilt," he said.
The heiau is a rock-walled, rectangular enclosure nearly as large as a football field. Portions of the walls collapsed in four places, one about 12 feet wide.
To rebuild the walls "would take a master builder carefully chosen from among the Hawaiian community," said the report to the state by engineer Ardalan Nikou.
But Lum concentrated yesterday on the culture of the heiau, not the damage.
Others have said the stones talk to them, Lum said. Children and adults sometimes break down in tears.
Sixteen miles to the south, national park officials are still waiting for information on repairing the Puukohola Heiau, a national historic site that was also damaged in the Oct. 15 quakes.
Officials are waiting for a cost estimate, said Chief Ranger Ben Saldua. Portions of the northeastern corner collapsed, and the remaining rocks are loose, he said. As a result, people with cultural offerings are no longer allowed onto the structure, he said.
Honokaa Bridge opens after repairs
State transportation officials have reopened both lanes on Honokaa Bridge on Akoni Pule Highway.
The bridge sustained structural damage from two earthquakes on Oct. 15. Traffic was contra-flowed on Honokaa Bridge while workers from Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. made temporary repairs to the bridge girders.
Repairs were completed Monday. Permanent repairs of the bridge girders have yet to be scheduled.
Star-Bulletin staff
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