Reauthorizing Kanaka Oiwi Heritage Discourse at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Hawaii

This case study examines how the management practices of Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park affect Kānaka ‘Ōiwi (also known as Native Hawaiians) and communities the park was created to serve. This National Historical Park was established in 1978 to provide a center for Kānaka ‘Ōiwi and others to rejuvenate the Hawaiian culture by rehabilitating Kaloko-Honokōhau as a thriving cultural landscape. However, as of 2014, the Park Service has yet to achieve the goals set out by the United States Congress in 1978. The National Park staff struggles to rehabilitate Kaloko-Honokōhau, that is, as deemed appropriate and desired by Kānaka ‘Ōiwi and non-Kānaka ‘Ōiwi. I use documentary data and information from interviews to understand Kaloko-Honokōhau management history, policy, and practice. I give particular attention to the management of Kānaka ‘Ōiwi cultural heritage and to how management practices and park policies create management challenges. I describe the shared goals of Kānaka ‘Ōiwi and non-Kānaka ‘Ōiwi and provide recommendations to re-align Park Service management practices with policy as a way to better fulfill the Congressional intentions.