Archeologist Matt McDermott from Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi has been contracted by Avalon to complete an AIS (Archeologic Inventory Survey) of the Saint Francis Mānoa property. During a recent online presentation and site visit it was revealed that he is proposing backhoe trenching of twenty five 25 foot long 3 x 3 ft trenches scattered around the entire 11 acre property (site map tomorrow) with the purpose of exploring for evidence of "paving stones", iwi kupuna, or other archeologic evidence.
On a 1910 Army map which was displayed at the September meeting of the Oʻahu Historic Preservation Commission, (above), it appears the entire Saint Francis Mānoa property was labelled as a "Temple Heiau". Much of the property is still surrounded by old dry stack walls two of which even Cultural Surveys has dated prior to 1894 and which appear to be much older. A respected cultural specialist has opined that this was the land of the Mū people and that the walls were therefore built by the Menehune. The "ili" or land division is called "Kauwalaʻa" which means "Sacred Servant". A map from 1847 showed the property in the name of Chief Abner Paki, grandson of the 19th century King of Maui and close friend of King Kamehameha III, Kauikeauoli, who was raised partially in Mānoa valley. He was mentored by Kaʻahumanu in preparation for becoming King after the tragic death of his brother Liholiho in London when Kauikeaouli was only 11 years old. Abner Paki was the father of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
Backhoe trenching, including in some areas through asphalt or other impermeable surfaces will destabilize and damage the perimeter walls and should not be permitted on this historic property. Instead only the use of a hand trowel and brush should be allowed. At Kūpopolo Heiau near Waimea Bay, a study completed in 2023 for Kamehameha Schools incorporated carbon dating of charcoal obtained from under the walls with consultation by Pūlama Lima, archeologist for Bishop Museum, Kalaupapa and OHA. She should be consulted with the possibility of doing the same in a cautious nondestructive way at Saint Francis Mānoa to ensure that ancient walls are not dismissed as "retaining walls" and that the bigger context of the heiau complexes in the area including adjacent Hipawai and the acknowledged great importance of Mānoa to the Hawaiian aliʻi historically is taken into account.
If you disagree with this violent approach and disregard for the implications of the 1910 Army Map about the historic significance and sacredness of this wahi pana, send your comments by tomorrow at 4 PM by registering for an account with the State HIstoric Preservation "HICRIS" system. instructions below. I will send out a map of the proposed trenching sites tomorrow morning.
Getting an account and submitting to HICRIS is simple. Just google "shpd" and then click on "submitting to SHPD" and then click on the link right under "submissions must be completed in HICRIS" and then set up your account with user name and password. Once you are in the system just click to "submit" in the green border at the top of the screen and then click on "visit" at the bottom of the "Project Review" box on the top left. Be sure to remember to write down your user name and password!
You can look up the relevant laws and Hawaii Administrative Rules about historic preservation by googling “HRS 6E” (6E-10 6E-42 both relevant) https://casetext.com/statute/hawaii-revised-statutes/division-1-government/title-1-general-provisions/chapter-6e-historic-preservation and “HAR 13-284” (see 284-6 “evaluation of significance) https://casetext.com/regulation/hawaii-administrative-rules/title-13-department-of-land-and-natural-resources/subtitle-13-historic-preservation-division/chapter-284-rules-governing-procedures-for-historic-preservation-review-to-comment-on-chapter-6e-42-hrs-projects All the historic buildings on the property are at risk of demolition including the school building, chapel and convent. You can include any relevant comments about the historic buildings.