Kawaihae, Hawaii – Video by David Corrigan

It felt like a family reunion between distant relatives on Ohai’ula, also known as Spencer Beach, as Hawaii Island welcomed dignitaries from Tahiti and a new submarine cable linking the two countries on Monday.

The 3,107 miles of undersea fiber optic cable, the first of its kind to connect the United states and French Polynesia, will allow Tahiti to access high speed internet. Officials hope it will dramatically improve communication services throughout all the islands of French Polynesia, (Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine, Moorea and Tahiti) allowing more affordable international broadband internet connectivity.

The cable has been named Honotua. “Hono translates to ‘link’ and Tua translates to ‘backbone, horizon at sea,’” says Francois Voirin, Chairman of the Board of Office des postes et telecommunications, in a media release. “Hawaiians and Tahitians have established links through voyaging canoes long before European explorers. Today, Honotua reestablishes this connection positioning both countries for improved communication technology entirely relevant for the information age.”

Tahiti and Hawaii share a legendary common ancestry. Although the celebration’s welcoming ceremony had an international feel, there was an underlying sense that long lost families were reconnecting; a connection that is deeper than the 19,500 feet deep Honotua cable.

Edouard Fritch, vice president of the government of French Polynesia, Maui’s State Senator Kalani English, and Mayor Billy Kenoi were among the dignataries in attendance. Kenoi was presented a buoy, named Kealakahiki (Hawaiian for “the way to Tahiti”) that symbolized the end of the cable project.

The Honotua project began 5 years ago. Cable laying started November 24, 2009 on the island of Bora Bora for the domestic link. The international link started on December 19, 2009. Over $108 million has been invested in the project.

Kohala Coast, Hawaii – Video by David Corrigan

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Spencer Beach Park on Sunday, during a ceremony celebrating the state, county, federal, and community partnerships forged in the management of the 175 mile long Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.

The Ala Kahakai Trail was officially designated in 2000, and it has been a long road to 2010, when the “M.O.U.” was finally reached. The partnership has all been laid out in a 168 page comprehensive management plan document.

Ala Kahakai MOU signing

The historic trail runs from Upolu Point in North Kohala, south along the western Kona shoreline, around South Point, ending on the eastern boundary of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The route encompasses a number of National Historic Parks, archaeological sites, and pivotal locations in the history of Hawaii, like the birthplace of Kamehameha the Great, the landing area of Captain Cook and first western contact, even spot of what many believe to be first landing of early Hawaiian ancestors at Ka Lae.  

Now, the focus turns to the area between Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site and Anaehoomalu Bay, which will be the first section targeted for restoration and management. The 15 mile section is already a part of the Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program. Within the next 15 years, the management plan hopes to include the 75 mile mile stretch between Puukohola and Hookena Beach in South Kona.

The management of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail includes the preservation of ancient trails, sacred sites and historic places, offering partnerships under the ahupuaa land concept, and creating a safe place to recreate and learn about the spiritual and cultural aspects of the treasured coastal resource.

ABOVE: The map above, courtesy the Ala Kahakai Comprehensive Management Plan, shows the path of the National Historic Trail in yellow. The section outlined in purple plots the segment that will be the focus of the first 15 years of the plan, from Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site to Hookena Beach.

LEFT: Another image courtesy the Ala Kahakai Comprehensive Management Plan, showing users of a fragment of the current trail system along the lava fields.