2000s Detail

The 2000s (2000-2009)

Hakalau Kuleana residents during the first decade of the 21st Century experienced active community engagement and witnessed the sell-off of former sugar cane lands. The aging C. Brewer investors wanted to cash out their investments with the result that choice land in the Hakalau Kuleana hit the market in 2001-2002. With this change in land ownership, new tensions arose between long-time residents and new residents related to issues like beach access, and between developers and residents regarding the type of development appropriate for the physical, cultural and historical environments of the area. The creation of the Wailea Village Historic Village Preservation Community, a 501-c-3 organization, represented a concerted effort to preserve history and pursue development in a respectful manner. The residents in the Wailea/Hakalau area distilled their vision for the future. Subsequently, a nine-year effort began to create the Hāmākua Community Development Plan.

Throughout the decade community activities continued, geared towards honoring the ancestors and the area's history. Art, entertainment and entrepreneurship enhanced these activities, creating events enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Community members addressed infrastructure needs, including improvements to Hakalau Veteran's Park, fundraising for restoration of the Hakalau School Gym, and creating an incubator kitchen at the Fujii Store.

2000

An entrepreneur turned the old Hakalau Theater into Hakalau Hall, a dance and concert venue for young people. This enterprise did not last long, the property was foreclosed in December 2001.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, February 7, 2000, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Beach access became a bone of contention.

The Hakalau Community Association tackled a full agenda.

Hawaii Tribune Heralds, March 17, 2000, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Mochi pounding in Wailea? Of course! In 2000, the annual festival served at least two purposes: good luck for the New Year and a fund-raiser for painting the Hakalau Jodo Mission.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, December 29, 2000, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, November 5, 2000, accessed via Newspapers.com.

The Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, through a grant from the Federal government, funded the development of an incubator kitchen in Hakalau.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, October 4, 2000, accessed via Newspapers.com.

2001

The aging investors of the former "Big Five" firm saw it through hard times and now wanted to cash out.

C. Brewer put some of its Hilo-Hamakua Coast property on the seller’s block. The land was snapped up, mostly by bulk buyers who began reselling it in smaller parcels. Plantation land on the Hamakua side of Chin Chuck Road was subdivided into ten acre lots and sold for about $17,000 per acre. The Hilo side of Chin Chuck Road had been sold previously as homestead land.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, July 29, 2001, page 17, accessed via Newspapers.com

The Hakalau Incubator Kitchen opens in late September.

2002

The Wailea Village Historic Preservation Community, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit trust, was established by Akiko Masuda. The goals are preserving and renovating old structures, creating affordable housing and employment opportunities, and sponsoring events that keep the plantation culture alive. She had arrived in Wailea in 1991 to witness the final stages of the demise of the sugar industry, the sell-off of sugar cane lands, and a major demographic shift as newcomers purchased these lands. She worried that the influx of newcomers would result in demolition of the village, displacement of old-timers and the proliferation of inappropriate mansions or "gentlemen's farms".

19,000 acres of land north of Hilo running 20 miles along the Hilo-Hamakua Coast were put on the market.

Honolulu Star Bulletin, January 18, 2002, page 26, accessed via Newspapers.com.

A gate installed by the private property owner which limited vehicular traffic to Hakalau Bay sparked controversy. The clash was between the private property owner and the public, with the Planning Department evaluating the issues.

Landowner Mauna Kea Agribusiness considers donating the Hakalau Mill site to the County.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, January 10, 2003, accessed via Newspapers.com

Finally, a clear explanation about the geographic boundaries of Wailea and Hakalau, and the history behind them.

The community value of honoring those who came before us continued.

A great explanation of how Hakalau changed from farms to homes written by Kent Warshauer, the Sugar Mill Spy, was published in Hawaii Tribune Herald.

Read the Article

Honoring veterans and welcoming the Hakalau School and Community Reunion participants continued. Community leaders were steadfast in their commitment to those former residents who have passed and those who regularly return to reminisce.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, April 21, 2004, p. 16, accessed via Newspapers.com.

The County of Hawaii Windward Planning Commission approved the Special Management Area Use Permit for the creation of Hakalau Plantation Village, what had previously been Hakalau Upper Camp, or "Up Camp". This subdivision consists of 22 lots, most of which are about 17,000 square feet. Hakalau Lower Camp, or "Down Camp", was sold in bigger plots.

The Hakalau Jodo Mission celebrated its 100th Anniversary.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, October 15, 2004, accessed via Newspapers.com.

2005

Community leadership fueled continuation of traditions such as the Memorial Day event.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, June 5, 2005, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Honoring the ancestors and respect for multicultural influences became an art form at Akiko's Buddhist B&B.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, August 5, 2005, accessed via Newspapers.com.

2006

Honoring the past, honoring the kupuna, and celebrating the spirit of Hakalau continues as art and entertainment, fueled by Akiko Masuda.

Photo courtesy of Akiko Masuda.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, August 20, 2006, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Old traditions continued and were introduced to and embraced by new residents.

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Excerpts from Hawaii Tribune Herald, December 24, 2006, accessed via Newspapers.com.

2007

Coquis became a target for the Hakalau community. Meetings were held throughout the year to recruit "warriors" and share information regarding eradication methods.
The coquis won.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, April 1, 2007, accessed via Newspapers.com.

The population was changing and growing. The community spirit of gratitude and enthusiasm prevailed at the Wailea/Hakalau Kumiai.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, August 12, 2007, accessed via Newspapers.com.

The battle over development continues--developer's vision versus what the community wants.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, November 11, 2007, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, November 14, 2007, accessed via Newspapers.com.

2008

The Wailea-Hakalau community began meetings to develop a vision for the area. In addition to residents, these 6 meetings held over several months included officials from the County Planning Department.

Planning Department's Summary from 8/15/08 Meeting

Hawaii Tribune Herald, August 9, 2008, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Ever mindful to honor the kupuna and remember the past, an event was held to encourage newcomers to listen and our kupuna to share.

Rayna Armour joins Waichi Ouye, Masa Chinen and Akiko Masuda to moderate. Photo courtesy of Dave Gallagher.

Masa Chinen, 92, shares his stories, with encouragement of Akiko Masuda. Photo courtesy of Dave Gallagher.

Waichi Ouye, 94, shares stories about the past and how the community worked together. Beside him, Akiko Masuda, President of the Wailea Village Historic Preservation Community ... and much more. Photo courtesy of Dave Gallagher.

The Wailea-Hakalau Ohana Closet was born. "Treasures and more from the mainland brought to Hawaii by new Hakalau residents at this giant garage sale..." Proceeds were for the benefit of the restoration of the Hakalau gym.

The 2008 Wailea-Hakalau Kumiai focused, as always, on making newcomers feel welcome and celebrating the community. Kupuna Waichi Ouye, 94, and Masa Chinen, 92, played leading roles.

In an article in the Travel Section, journalist Bob Jones captured the spirit of Wailea and the challenges faced by the community as a result of the economic and social upheaval after the demise of the sugar industry.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, May 25, 2008, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Read the Article

2009

The process to develop the Hāmākua Community Development Plan began. Adoption of the final plan took place in 2018.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, October 8, 2009, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, December 5, 2009, accessed via Newspapers.com.

The community gathered to celebrate cleaning up Hakalau Bay Paka.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, June 20, 2009, accessed via Newspapers.com.

The community continued its efforts to restore the Hakalau Gym. Note: as of 2019, the Hakalau Gym is locked up, condemned, and deteriorating.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, July 12, 2009, accessed via Newspapers.com.

A Ninole farmer, Drean Barley, started FoodShare at the Hakalau Veterans Park, across the street from the Hakalau Gym that the community was raising money to restore. Akiko Masuda promoted and encouraged the effort in support of the farmers, fueling its growth. For many years she sent out a weekly email that included a prayer of gratitude for the farmers, the place, and the community. Here’s one example:

The original sign for FoodShare still exists, outside the Hakalau Post Office. Photo courtesy of Susan Forbes

We give GRATITUDE
for the opportunity to gather
once a week as a
FoodSHARE COMMUNITY!!!
We laugh, smile, share,
Trade, buy, sing, play, talk story
The faces change, the numbers change.
Some are regulars, some are new.
We welcome all with aloha.
We share food that our farmers have grown.

MAHALO MAHALO!

We live in deep joy and awe.
We breathe in the energy and the air
of this precious place, Hamakua.

May we be worthy stewards,
Living in deep respect and gratitude.
MAHALO Ke Akua
For all life.

On the last Sunday of July, every year, the Wailea/Hakalau Kumiai takes place.

Hawaii Herald Tribune, July 26, 2009, accessed via Newspapers.com.

The art, drama and culture of mochi pounding continued.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, December 20, 2009, accessed via Newspapers.com.