Kona developer
apologizes for damage
to Hawaiian graves

Hawaiian burial site disturbed
by contested Big Isle
development

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By Rod Thompson
Star-Bulletin

KAILUA-KONA >> A high-ranking official of Japan Airlines has apologized to four Kona Hawaiians concerned about damage to Hawaiian graves at a Kona development involving JAL.

JAL is a partner with Arizona developer Lyle Anderson in the 1,540-acre Hokulia project. Oceanside 1250, the company doing the development for JAL and Anderson, has already acknowledged that graves were damaged during construction and has apologized.

An organization called Protect Keopuka Ohana has been among various voices opposed to the development. Yesterday, Ohana members Lorna Laua'e Takizawa, Violet Leihulu Mamac, Harriet Dooley, and Kamuela Himalaya met with JAL's hotels and resorts division manager Yuji Tsukahara in Tokyo.

Tsukahara apologized to the four, an Ohana statement said. The apology was confirmed by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp., which has assisted the Ohana, and by Rick Humphreys, general manager of Hokulia.

The four were to make additional statements during a news conference today.

Besides an apology, the Ohana also sought a promise that JAL would withdraw from the project. A statement issued by JAL suggested that would not happen.

"We are very concerned about some of the issues at Hokulia, but we have every confidence in Hokulia's management to deal with the issues. We know they are extremely sensitive to the concerns of the community in all respects," the statement said.

"Hokulia will eventually provide the local community with the benefits of improved local road infrastructure which will greatly ease congestion in the area and also with access to the coastline, where a public park will be located," the statement said.

One of the conditions of the permits for Hokulia was that the developer must build a new road connecting North and South Kona to reduce traffic on the existing Mamalahoa Highway.

The Ohana statement said Tsukahara "would be considering sending a special investigator to Kona."

Neither the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. nor Hokulia's Humphreys was able to confirm that.

The Ohana's Takizawa said JAL officials appeared not to know the whole story, believing that the development had widespread support.

In fact, the project has been the subject of controversy and court disputes since as early as 1993.

The Ohana and others have been in Kona Circuit Court in recent weeks seeking an injunction to stop damage to graves. While the case was being heard, additional graves were damaged, leading Judge Ronald Ibarra to issue a ten-day restraining order against such damage.

Before that order expired last week, the Ohana alleged still further violations. Ibarra was to continue hearing the case today.