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Financially supporting
the ‘aina of Waimea Valley
is the most important 2006 issue
in the Hawaiian Legislature

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from "What the People Want,"
Opinion -- Honolulu Advertiser
January 1, 2005

by Mitsue Cook


click here for the original article, along with other
priorities for 2006 written by leading citizens of Honolulu

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I am in Zhonshan.This southern region is the most highly developed manufacturing center in China. Prosperity bursts at the seams. Rows of apartments are being built. Miles of huge factories line the freeways to the provincial capital of Guandong.

This prosperity carries a price of heavy, smelly air and cement gray streams. The air and land are not managed well here. Nature suffers.



Because of the contrast, I can understand that Hawaii’s prosperity depends on the beauty and management of the ‘aina. Hawai’i remains endowed with relatively clean air and sparkling waters---for now.


Waimea Valley is one of the last two remaining ahu’pu’a’a on O’ahu, connecting the sea to the mountain. This valley can be a symbol of quality management of the ‘aina in Hawai’i.

The 2006 Hawaiian Legislature can renew its vow to honor this heritage and incalculable resource by supporting the purchase of this pristine and symbolic home of Hawai’i.

This an opportunity in history to do what is pono and wise.

1. Allocate a percentage of the New Legacy Land Act to fund on-going operations under The Audubon Society.

2. Use part of the state’s surplus to help fund the acquisition of the valley.

3. Encourage OHA to use funds to acquire the valley and to fund cultural and archeological activities.

U a Mau ke ea o ka ‘aina I ka Pono: The life of the land lives in Righteousness. These words are on the Hawaiian royal crown, at the Legislature’s mauka entrance and at the waterfall sculpture of the Pioneer Plaza building in downtown Honolulu.

Mitsue Cook
Business consultant, educator and writer
Zhongsan, Hanoi and Honolulu

photos of Zhonshan, China by Michael Guo
photos of Waimea Valley by Malou Mallison

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