‘Ilio’ulakalani Coalition calls for resignation

‘Ilio’ulakalani Coalition, a statewide grassroots organization comprised of cultural practitioners who advocate for the perpetuation of our culture and the preservation of our sacred lands and the protection of our ‘iwi kupuna is calling for the immediate resignation of Mr. Henry Eng as Director of Permit & Planning for the City & County of Honolulu and a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet.

In a recent news article dated June 27, 2007, Mr. Eng was quoted as follows:
Eng said the issue of Hawaiian burial sites on the property likely would not affect the decision on the infrastructure permit. "If this (the burial site issue) needs to be addressed, it probably would get addressed later on," Eng said.

Mr. Eng’s remarks reflect blatant disrespect for all burial sites. No permit should be issued before the concern of the impact a development will have on a burial site is fully addressed. An infrastructure permit gives a green light for pile driving, grading and clearing of a site. It is usually at this point that burials are discovered and then declared inadvertent finds.

We demand a full archaeological survey of all sites before any permit is issued.
We demand that the impact of development on burial sites be addressed before issuing any kind of permit is approved.

The native Hawaiian community will not stand by and allow this kind of mentality to exist in the City and County of Honolulu’s administration or any other administration. As native Hawaiians we will not stand by and allow entities such as the Department of Permit & Planning to disregard the importance of our ‘iwi kupuna and favor development that is not right. As native Hawaiians we will do whatever is necessary to protect the ‘iwi kupuna from any kind of development that would infringe upon the sacredness of our culture.
Elected officials must be put on notice that this kind of behavior and mentality will not be tolerated or accepted by native Hawaiians. The time has come for all native Hawaiians to speak out and not allow individuals like Mr. Eng to be in positions of authority and have no regard for the host culture of these islands.

A press conference has been scheduled at Honolulu Hale on Thursday, July 5th at 10:00am. We invite everyone to attend the press conference and stand in solidarity for the resignation of Mr. Eng.