OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS ABANDONS HAWAIIANS ONCE AGAIN
"Vote Them All Out," Say Protestors
The Maui News -Thursday, October 26, 2006
KAUNAKAKAI - A demonstration against the proposed development of 200 residential lots at La`au Point on Moloka`i drew about 100 protesters outside the offices of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Wednesday.
The event began at 7 a.m. and lasted a couple of hours, according to Walter Ritte Jr., a longtime Hawaiian rights advocate and a leader among those opposing the development on the southwest end of the island.
"DHHL and OHA have turned their backs on their Hawaiian constituents and joined the developers of a 200-million-dollar beachfront development, which threatens Hawaiian cultural lifestyle and water reserves of Moloka`i homesteaders," says a statement from Hui Ho`opakele `Aina.
The statement accused OHA Trustee Colette Machado and DHHL Commissioner Milton Pa of "joining the developers to the detriment of their Hawaiian constituents...."
...The news release from Hui Ho`opakele `Aina said DHHL has refused requests to attend several public gatherings held by
Moloka`i homestead associations on the La`au Point development issue.
"The development's water needs will increase Molokai Ranch's water consumption to three times the amount used by Molokai homesteaders," the group's statement says....
The hui called on voters not to cast ballots for any OHA incumbents because they all signed a resolution in support of the development....
Moloka`i Ranch owner Moloka`i Properties Ltd. has applied to the state Land Use Commission to have 613 acres near La`au reclassified from agricultural to rural use to allow for development of the 200 two-acre residential lots, along with related infrastructure.
A hearing on the application is expected early next year.
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