Is Ho'okipa the location of a sacred heiau?
Controversies are sparking around Maui and inquiring minds would like to know.
We all know that the word Ho'okipa means hospitality. The place actually had a salt farm below and from some stories, a heiau above. We know it was a place the royals often visited, and if you go to the highest point, you can see every direction of the kingdom on a clear day.
There is a plethora of history between then and now. However the question remains of whether or not it was the sacred site of a heiau and how are we going to protect Ho'okipa from the vandalism that is occurring there daily now.
Because of its great surf conditions, Ho'okipa continues to host quite a number of competitions and the landscape needs protectors. Tourism is bringing people down by the busloads, rental cars clog the parking lot, an old man throws glitter into the ocean while a woman watches her child approach a turtle below as if they were in a petting zoo. On July 4, 2017 vendors reportedly complained about the evil haoles that come up Ho'okipa at dusk and vandalize the upper area, attempting to set fire to the entire park. We have a few loyal protectors who care for the area, but that's about it. Is Ho'okipa worthy of protection from desecration?
No comments:
Post a Comment