Discussions with Department of Land and Natural Resources staff about permitting requirements led to discussions with kalo farmers statewide and resulted in an effort to put together some guidance for people renewing the traditional use of lo`i kalo. Many of those people considered the state regulatory system redundant, inconsistent, or intrusive. Whether people choose to work within or without the state regulatory system is their call; we hope to encourage responsible behavior on the land and good relations within community, while political discussions continue.
The “Guidelines” are still a work in progress. They will not, as originally thought, propose a new and improved streamlined state regulatory process for lo`i kalo restoration. That will require internal systemic work beyond our capability as grassroots change agents. Members of Onipa`a Na Hui Kalo do, however, recognize that we share common responsibilities: To do no harm to `aina or waters; To preserve the archaeological record and cultural features; To honor and build community relationships as rehabilitation work moves forward. Our guidelines will encourage every practitioner to seek out resource people and materials, whether from private or government sources, to develop the highest level of knowledge possible – a`ole pau ka `ike I ka halau ho`okahi! Every kalo planter needs to engage in a thoughtful process of keen observation, investigation, information gathering, planning, careful work and reflection about the unique place they will clear and plant, as our kupuna did. Not deviating from tradition allows one to reference the environmental assessment done by the Hawaiian environmental engineers who designed these lo`i kalo long ago.
Application of the law must always incorporate justice and reason. We proposed in 1999 that finding better, more proactive ways to work together to preserve the life of Hawai`i nei is as important as an overhaul of the morass of state regulations, and possibly the wiser route to community-based stewardship of natural resources.
We hope that our Guidelines will help preserve the use of traditional practices and principles in planting kalo, and so bring honor to our kupuna. Government regulation is only required if the people are not responsible. Following tradition, the blueprint and instructions preserve in the features on the land, is the best protection if the government comes after you – and the best insurance that it won’t have any reason to.
K. Mahealani Davis
Kaunakakai, Moloka`i
Volume 12, Number 5 November 2001
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