Fed up with the desecration of places they consider sacred, Native Hawaiians asserted themselves in two high-profile cases this year to fight what they viewed as separate affronts to their culture. The Friends of Moku'ula brought to Malu-ulu-o-Lele Park in Lahaina, where a recent study showed that it is home to an important archaelogical site containing the burials of Native Hawaiians. The problem is that part of the ancient subterranean island of Moku'ula extends into the park's makai ball field. The friends group, let by Akoni Akana, insisted that the county acknowledge the importance of Moku'ula and stop the activity over the island. They began negotiating with county officials but were rebuffed by the administration. The parties were at loggerheads for several weeks until Mayor Linda Crockett Lingle agreed to meet with representatives of the group. A compromise now appears to be in the works.

In Iao Valley, a T- shirt vendor claiming a First Amendment right to spread his "message" riled people unaccustomed to commercialism in the scenic spot. Most of all, it rankled Native Hawaiians who consider the valley sacred. Led by Charlie Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr., the Native Hawaiians held protests and generally made life miserable for the T-shirt seller. During a meeting between the vendor and Native Hawaiian representatives, the vendor agreed to go somewhere else.