About 50 years ago, three dozen families were awarded leases to lands that had been purchased by the state of Hawaii for $5 million. More than 5,000 acres of Kahana Valley — a “prized Windward Oahu ahupua‘a” that should be “one of the crown jewels of the state’s property portfolio” — went to 36 families for 65 years in exchange for a requirement that they “devote 25 hours monthly to interpretive programs on native Hawaiian cultural practices” on the land (“Living park concept broken,” Star-Advertiser, April  Opens in a new tab7) Opens in a new tab.

This living park concept has been broken and trashed for decades, in violation of a binding contract. Most of the original lessees have passed away. Many current occupants are trespassers. Most of the occupants have not and do not care to perform the 25-hour work requirement.

The state’s gross mismanagement has dearly cost the people of Hawaii. Shame!

John Hoshibata

Mililani

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