Pu‘uokapolei Hula Mound & Bill 9

On Wednesday, February 17 Kumu Hula Mikiala Lidstone and halau member Makanani Anuhealii of Halau ‘O Kaululauae and Lance C. Holden, President of the ‘Ahahui Siwila Hawai‘i O Kapolei and ‘Ahahui member Shad Kane were recognized at a Honolulu City Council meeting at Kapolei Hale for their extraordinary work in the construction, care and maintenance of the Pu’uokapolei Heiau site and Hula Mound within the Kapolei Regional Park.The resolution for recognition was submitted by City Council Member Kymberly Pine. In addition, Council Member Pine introduced Bill 9 to establish an ordinance relating to cultural sites in Public Parks throughout the City and County of Honolulu. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a program within the Department of Parks and Recreation for the designation of sites of cultural value located in city parks. ‘Ahahui Siwila Hawai‘i O Kapolei won support as part of the former Mayor Jeremy Harris Vision Team Project to construct a hula mound in the Kapolei Regional Park.In 2002 plans were prepared for the construction of the hula mound under the supervision of the City Department of Design and Construction. The civil work was done by RM Towill Corporation, landscaping by Hawaii Design Associates, Inc, architectural drawings by Architects Pacific, Inc, and all the electrical work by Leung and Pang Associates, Inc. Architects Pacific designed the hula mound in consultation with Ahahui members, Kumu Hula John Kaimikaua and Shad Kane.The coral used in the construction for the hula mound was donated by the Navy and came from Kalaeloa. This secures the mauka-makai relationship along the lines of the passing of water and that of the relationship between Kane and Kapo at the western gate of the setting sun. It was designed in keeping with the hula traditions of the goddess of hula, Kapo, who is referred to in traditions as the “lady in the faded garment standing at Pu’uokapolei”. It is designed with 2 mounds, one for hula and one for general public use. It is also designed and aligned with the setting sun at the time of the summer solstice when the “sun sets over Pu’uokapolei in the mahinaona when observed from the Opunaha Kuahu” in Waikiki.This recognition by the City Council and Council Member Kymberly Pine culturally represents the passing of the kuleana of the Pu’uokapolei Hula Mound to Kumu Hula Mikiala Lidstone and Halau ‘O Kaululauae with future assistance by the ‘Ahahui Siwila Hawai‘i ‘O Kapolei.