On Sunday, October 9, 2011 Tree Huggers met up with Na Wahine o Kunia to help clean and uncover a Hawaiian burial site along Pohakea Road in Lihu'e o Kunia.
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| Aunty Leilehua describing the site and the pohaku before we began working |
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| Mr. Hortsman mentally preparing for the day |
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| Mrs. Cruz |
Aunty Sheila, Leilehua, and Amy shared stories and history about the importance of the area. Pohakea Pass was used by Hawaiians for traveling to trade sweet potato grown in the Kunia area for fish from the Wai'anae side. You can see the profile of Pohakea in the mountain, the pass being the dip in the mountain or her neck area.
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| Pohakea Pass from Pohakea Road |
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| Working Hard |
The significant Hawaiian sites are potentially at risk of being damaged by the proposed thoroughfare and eventual industrialization of the watershed that would create a road connecting the Wai'anae side with central O'ahu through the mountain. The Tree Huggers helped to do some important work to bring awareness to the various architectural sites and iwi.
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| The pile of grass and debris removed from the site |
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| Before Shot |
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| After Shot |
After their hard work and a delicious lunch, the Tree Huggers helped to give offerings of lei and pa'akai.
Thank you for all your hard work!
