Community Gives Thanks for Protected Cultural Sites in Waimea Valley

On the 182nd anniversary of the death of Hawaii’s last high priest Kahuna Nui Hewahewa in Waimea Valley, The Trust for Public Land, the State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, Hi‘ipaka LLC, North Shore Community Land Trust, and the Hewahewa ‘ohana (family) gathered to offer thanks that the last privately-owned piece of land within Waimea Valley is now protected, safeguarding the cultural sites located there. Referred to as Pu‘ukua in honor of the original kuleana owner that farmed and lived there in 1852, this 3.75 acre property is closely associated with Kahuna Nui Hewahewa who presided over the valley following Kamehameha I’s unification of the islands. The celebration included multiple generations of the Hewahewa family, who participated in Hawaiian ceremony and protocol to bless the protected land and honor their ancestor Hewahewa and their family’s long standing connection to and love for Waimea.