Back in 1983, I was digging into records at the State Archives and depositories for sources of information about how the military had accumulated so much land on Oahu and throughout the state.
A local newspaper, Ka Huliau, published my story on the history of military control of Makua Valley in its May-June 1983 issue.
Ka Huliau or “The Turning Point” was a left leaning, underground, independent newspaper printed by Hawaii Education for Social Progress, Inc..Published in the 1980s (presumably from 1982-1986) Ka Huliau self-identified as “An independent newspaper focusing on Hawaii and Pacific issues.” These issues included labor strikes, nuclear proliferation, socialism and others primarily in the context of their effect on Hawaiians and other Islanders.
I asked Google for the people behind Hawaii Education for Social Progress, and it identied several key players: The primary editors and staff members associated with the organization and publication included Roland Kotani, Grace Kotani, Cindy Broch, Gary Takiyama, John Witeck, and Lucy Witeck. Roland Kotani was appointed to the Hawaii House of Reprentatives by then Gov. John Waihee in 1987, and ran unopposed for the same seat in the 1988 election.
In a tragic turn of events, Roland Kotani was found bludgeoned to death in his home in July 1989. Grace Kotani, his estranged wife, agreed to be interviewed by HPD with her attorney present, and confessed to the killing. She then asked to use the restroom, killed herself with a handgun hidden in her purse.
The scan below is of mediocre quality, done many years ago, but I hope you’ll be able to read the article despite the quality issues.
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Ian –
Thanks for republishing this. I was gone from HI for a couple of years before this was published. Makua was always a bit of a mystery to me. I was flying sailplanes at Dillingham Field into the mid/late 70s and occasionally I could creep over the Waianae Ridge from the windward side and peek down into the back of the valley. Usually, when the trade winds would let you get high over the ridge, they take you down pronto after you got makai of the crest on the leeward side. But sometimes, when the altitude and winds were right that did not happen, and I got a very beautiful tour of the back of the valley from several thousand feet, usually still going up in a thermal. Always a thrill.
As always, a brilliantly researched and written piece, Ian. I am quite sure there are still many who have never really understood the role of the military or the deep foothold they continue to have in Hawaii, and why.
I learn something new and vital every time I read one of your reports – mahalo piha for posting. You have been an outstanding journalist from the git go and I hope you’ll be able to pick up where you left off one day.
AND Sooner than later.
I’d love to read the story but wasn’t able to. 🙁
As you were …..I found it here 🙂 🙂 🙂