Rebuilding Effort For Ahu Pokahu

The Windward project to build a stone ahu has morphed into building a fund – to restore the stone marker that was vandalized last month at Castle Junction.

Hawaiian civic clubs and others have established the “Ahu Pohaku Fund,” which will accept donations to cover the costs of restoration.

“We are grateful for any donations we receive,” said Francine Gora, coordinator for the Oahu Ahupua’a Boundary Marker Project. “Every dollar will help us reach our goal to cover some of the costs of restoring the ahu.” The goal is $4,400, which also will pay for installing an informational sign at the site to identify the structure, its purpose and sponsors.

Donations should be made out to Hawaii Maoli (memo: Ahu Pohaku Fund) and mailed to the tax-exempt nonprofit group at 91-120 Kinoiki St., Kapolei, HI 96707.

According to Mahealani Cypher of the lead organization, Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, the police have identified a suspect, who was caught on film Aug. 24 scattering the stones at the busy intersection. They have not yet made an arrest, she added, noting that he is described as “homeless and confused.”

The ahu marks the boundary between Kailua and Kaneohe in the traditional Hawaiian manner, separating land divisions (ahupua’a). The project is part of an islandwide effort to renew the connection between each ahupua’a’s residents and their kuleana to be good stewards of their resources.

For more information, call Gora at 256-8448.