HANALEI — In a packed courtroom full of Kanaka Maoli, Native Hawaiian rights proponents, Kalalau “outlaws,” and bewildered residents in court for their own cases, Lloyd “Ikaika” Pratt pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from numerous counts of camping violations
HANALEI — In a packed courtroom full of Kanaka Maoli, Native Hawaiian rights proponents, Kalalau “outlaws,” and bewildered residents in court for their own cases, Lloyd “Ikaika” Pratt pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from numerous counts of camping violations in Hanalei District Court on Wednesday.
Pratt, who prefers to be called by his Hawaiian name, Ikaika, has been cleaning the Kala heiau in Kalalau Valley for eight months with little help, and without the support of or approval from the state of Hawai‘i. He has filed charges with the state attorney general against the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for, among other things, what he claims are an abuse of power, and neglect and destruction of Kanaka Maoli sites.
“Kanaka Maoli” is a Hawaiian language term defined as “the common people of Hawai‘i.”
Officials from the DLNR are conducting an investigation into the complaints, and working with the attorney general, a DLNR spokeswoman said last month.
With people sitting on the floor and peeking into the windows from the outside, Ikaika refused to speak to a lawyer, and a Hawaiian sovereignty activist draped in a Hawaiian flag was asked to sit down after standing with Ikaika in front of District Court Judge Frank Rothschild.
With plenty of supporters looking for fireworks, very little came from Ikaika himself. After an hour of waiting, Ikaika pleaded not guilty on all charges.
“You look more handsome in person than on the front page of the newspaper,” said Rothschild, referring to Ikaika’s picture in TGI published Sunday.
“I’m going to bring this to federal hands if I have to,” said Ikaika, making a brief statement before the court. He added that he considers himself a citizen of the “Hawaiian nation,” but not of the United States. He is also a registered minister for the state and his nation, and his residence is Kalalau, he told the court.
As for the trial, Ikaika asked the court for three months to prepare his case. The judge gave him a month, as his trial is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
In the first hour of the proceedings, at least 10 people were cited for Kalalau camping violations on Sept. 11, the day Ikaika was arrested by the state for outstanding bench warrants.
Ikaika’s protégé, JaNee Dominique, who has been helping him clean the two Kala heiau in Kalalau, was one of those arraigned. She pleaded not guilty, and awaits trial on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Another camper, Arius Hopman, a gallery owner in Hanapepe, pleaded guilty to illegal camping, but read a statement about Ikaika and Kalalau.
“This is a crime without victims,” said Hopman. “I have now seen fines escalate to absurd proportions and it’s harder to obtain permits,” creating a situation where Kaua‘i residents are more likely to camp without a permit. Meanwhile, the charges against DLNR workers out at Kalalau exist.
“Doesn’t enforcement have anything else better to do?” he asked. “Public lands should be made public.”
“Pratt has been undertaking a major task and he’s busted for camping? This is a serious issue,” Hopman said.
Rothschild replied that the court cannot do anything about changing the laws.
“This is not a court issue,” he said. “You should channel your energy to the people” who make the laws of the state, namely the Legislature, the judge added.
All those who pleaded guilty to camping violations, if it was their first offense, were fined $75, with a $25 fee added on. A camping permit for Kalalau, when available, is $10 per person per night.
Staff writer Tom Finnegan may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 226).
