A society is often measured by the care with which it values and preserves its culture. We all seem to agree that the Hanapepe salt ponds are an important historic site and cultural resource to Kaua‘i and the state, yet
A society is often measured by the care with which it values and preserves its culture. We all seem to agree that the Hanapepe salt ponds are an important historic site and cultural resource to Kaua‘i and the state, yet look at the burdens we have placed on them.
This ancient site, listed on the State Historic Preservation Register, is surrounded by the development of an airfield runway, a heavily used county beach park, a road that actually cuts through the salt beds, a veterans cemetery, an active sugar cane plantation and a makeshift beach access route that blocks drainage. The Kiawe forest that once served to protect the ponds from the dust and contamination of the neighboring cane fields and the highway — and to assist with evapotranspiration — were cut down. This is a disrespectful way to treat this unique and valuable resource.
Hawai‘i needs to develop a resource management plan for the Hanapepe salt ponds before the surrounding development and activities destroy the health of the ponds forever. The surface water runoff from all of the encroaching uses has already compromised the purity of the ponds. In 2004, Hanapepe was placed on the federal Clean Water Act list of impaired waters in Hawai‘i for excessive levels of toxic substances.
During the 2007 legislative session, I proposed a resolution for the State Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop a comprehensive resource management plan for the Hanapepe salt ponds. As the ponds are also affected by the incoming tides, the plan would include the management of the coastal zone and ocean resources in the area.
The resolution did not make it through the session, but I intend to propose another measure in 2008 to protect the salt ponds. I believe the need to develop the resource management plan remains valid, if not urgent. In the interim, I urge the Land and Natural Resources Department, in cooperation with the county of Kaua‘i and other stakeholders, to go forward with the following:
• Identification of all sources of pollution, particularly those that affect the water quality in and around the area of the Hanapepe salt ponds.
• Identification of the watershed, moku and ahupuaa of Hanapepe and Makaweli.
• Preparation of a watershed implementation plan, to include the recommendation of projects that would serve to reduce sources of pollution in the watershed.
• Consultation with the Hawaiian practitioners and kupuna in the Hanapepe area on best management principles and practices.
• Identification of the source of salt and brine shrimp, and information on how they migrate into the area.
• Identification of and meeting with all community rights holders and stakeholders.
• Recommendations for long-term protection measures.
With each passing day, more and more people lose sight of the significance of the Hanapepe salt ponds, which are more than 1,000 years old. They are unaware that the current day salt makers are preserving a practice and producing a kind of salt that is unique in all the world. The salt from the Hanapepe salt pans is considered sacred and is used by Kahu and Kupuna for blessings and for healing.
There will always be competing uses for the land area at the Puolo Point Peninsula. I believe that many feel that the proposed Drug Treatment Center is desperately needed as an interim measure on Kaua‘i, but not at the expense of and loss of respect for the salt ponds. Let’s all come together — government, our Hawaiian community and those who are Hawaiian at heart — to ensure that the Hanapepe salt ponds are protected as a symbol to the people that this is a culture and a place that we value.
• Roland D. Sagum III, state representative for west Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, has a background in urban and regional land use planning. He can be reached by e-mail at repsagum@Capitol.hawaii.gov.
