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Posted: Friday, November 25th, 2005 5:25 AM HST

Archaeologist says Waimea Valley deal could be historic loss

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) _ An archaeologist who recently authored an article on Waimea Valley says splitting ownership of the Oahu valley between the city and a private owner could mean the loss of island heritage sites. Joseph Kennedy wrote an article on the valley published in the October issue of Natural History magazine. He also recently completed an assessment of the valley paid for by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Archeologists have surveyed 78 cultural sites in the valley. But Kennedy says most of the nearly 19-hundred-acre valley has yet to be surveyed. Under a deal given preliminary approval by the Honolulu City Council Monday, 300 acres would be retained by the city while, the rest of the valley would go back to New York investor Christian Wolffer. (Copyright 2005 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)