Maui kupuna condemns
grading of 'famous' hill

WAILUKU » Some native Hawaiians on Maui are asking for a developer to restore a Waiehu hill that has been partially cut because of a subdivision.

Native Hawaiian cultural specialist Charles Maxwell said the "famous" hill known as "Poliala," or "fragrant hill," has been cut in half.

The hill, about 70 feet high and a quarter-acre in diameter, is on the Waihee side of Malaihi Road mauka of a cemetery. Maxwell said it is mentioned in the song "Wailele Waiehu," performed by the Waiehu Sons and written by longtime Maui resident Harry Brown.

"When he learned that Poliala was cut in half, he was very sad and angry," Maxwell said.

Maxwell said he and other native Hawaiian residents want to meet with the county and with the developer, Betsill Brothers Construction Inc., to have the hill restored.

Attorney Gary Zakian, representing Betsill Brothers, said approval to do grading for the 70-acre subdivision came from state and county government agencies, including the state Historic Preservation Division.

Zakian said the state required Betsill to grade the hill to improve sight distance along Kahekili Highway.

"All I can say is we need to do the work consistent with the county grading permit to bring ... the berm down for sight distances," Zakian said.

Maxwell said he learned about the grading of the hill on Thursday after Waiehu residents called him.

He said he felt the state had failed to represent the public's interest in historic preservation.