ON EASTER ISLAND:

ISLANDERS SEEK VAITEA FARM LAND

The National Parks of Chile on the island has received money to provide protection at Vinapu to keep out cattle; and, at Tahai, to build a new entrance, parking, and toilet facilities. The new entrance to the site will be on the north side, approaching from the Museum. There will be a replica hare paenga constructed for use by artisans as a place to sell their carvings, and manavai will be built for growing native plants, including mahute.

The project to create an ethno-botanic garden at Vaitea was cancelled after strong criticism was published in El Mercurio. by Alcalde Petero Edmunds. The project began with the donation of four huge Chilean palm trees by a Palm tree foundation that also brought in 400 little palms. The garden was to be at Vaitea, in the center of the island. Islanders protested because it comprised a portion of the best farmland on the island.

As for the give-away of land at Vaitea, as announced in RNJ 12(3), the program was cancelled due to action of the Consejo de Ancianos # 2, which has become more powerful in recent times because they now represent more people. President Frei was supposed to travel to the island to present the land, but islanders refused to accept that which was selected to be parceled out. They claimed it was the worst land in the area, covered with eucalyptus trees or rocks, and not suitable for either farming or cattle grazing.

LEY INDIGENA

The Problem with the Ley Indigena was finally solved by the Congress so now it is the law that Rapa Nui land is available only for full or half Rapanui people. The Chilean Senate-with nine abstentions-approved the suppressive veto of Chilean President Frei that again leaves Easter Island within the norms of the "Indigenous Law": land on the island can only be acquired by members of the Rapanui ethnic group. By error, this little detail had been omitted in early legislation. Alberto Hotus, the head of the Consejo de Ancianos #1, was pleased with the vote, 27 to 0. Those who abstained did so because they did not agree with this legislation. The Distribution of land will be managed by the official Comision de Desarrollo.

A RAPANUI DEPUTY IN CONGRESS?

RAPANUI ISLANDERS planned to ask President Frei for their own deputy in Congress upon his September visit the island. Governor Hey stated that such a representative would know the island and its problems, and could adequately present their position. The idea is not new: in January 1996, four senators made such a motion but nothing was done. However, Frei cancelled his trip to the island, presumably because of the demonstrations planned by the Consejo de Ancianos #2.

TOURISM

Easter Islanders fear an invasion of tourists. While islanders recognize that tourism is an important source of income, they made their concerns known in a congress organized by UNESCO, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, and the Federation of Tourist Agents of Chile. Now some 17,000 tourists arrive every year and many islanders fear for the culture and the patrimony of the island. The conference took place on the island. Islanders, archaeologists, and directors of the Consejo de Ancianos all voiced their anxiety about tourism and the effects of projects such as installing a new port, air bases, and markets. The invasion of tourists seems to be underway, big time. In October, a huge charter of 500 persons from Sweden arrived, as well as some 200 passengers from the World Discoverer. All ended up at Anakena for a barbecue/picnic. Huge groups such as these stress the fragile archaeological sites.

TRAFFIC JAMS

An increase in automobiles on the island (now more than 2000) causes severe dust problems in dry weather due to the fast speed at which they are driven. To ameliorate this, Rapanui throw rocks on the road so people have to slow down to negotiate them [speed bumps from hell]. As there are no controls on the importation of vehicles, each supply ship brings in more to add to the village traffic jams.

NEW GAS STATION

The supply ship Araki carried, on its recent trip, a modern mechanical structure of galvanized iron for the construction of a gasoline station on the island. The September sailing was delayed because the anchor got stuck on the ocean bottom and scuba divers had to free it. The cargo included vehicles, combustibles, and light construction material for a total of 650 tons.

CHANGING NAMES

There seems to be a move afoot to change the name of the main street in the village, Policarpo Toro. The following letter was written by Navy Capitan Hugo Alsina Calderon to the editor of El Mercurio de Valparaiso, 6 November 1998.

"I have been to Easter Island three times, the last being for two years. This has permitted me to know the Rapanui people well, including their customs and manner of thinking.

It hurts me to hear that the Hanga Roa City Council voted to change the name of the main street of the village from 'Policarpo Toro.' It got the name years ago in memory of the Chilean who was instrumental in getting the island annexed to Chile, thereby saving the last one hundred islanders from extinction for lack of resources. This shows a lack of appreciation for all the Navy has done .... We know that there exists profound differences between the Mayor and the Council; but now they seem united. The Navy and some of the continentals living on the island are most upset. It seems that there is a separatist intention .... Also, they want to remodel the Plaza named for Policarpo Toro, trying to cover up the memory of his beneficiary action in favor of the Rapanui .... It is known that foreign organizations manipulate and finance small groups of natives to emancipate themselves from the nation . .. for political reasons…and activists to cause disorder.

I believe that the Island directors should open their eyes and realize that they are being used by outsiders. The majority should take action and intervene in order to find formulas of accord and not of separation. It is easy to understand what the situation of the Rapanui people would be without the protection, intervention and help of all kinds that they receive from the government of Chile and from the Navy in particular."

ART SHOW

A travelling exhibit of Easter Island art, developed by a group called ProChile V Region (in conjunction with the Association of Artisans of Easter Island) has recently returned to Chile after visiting Germany, Belgium, and France. The emphasis of the show was on pieces considered works of art, and of great ethnic value. The four artisans that went with the show made a Moai three meters tall and presented it to the city of Tarascon Sur Ariege in France. Another piece was donated to the Volkerkunde Museum in Hamburg, Germany where, in November 1999, there will be an exhibition of Easter Island artifacts.

- Rapa Nui Journal, Vol 12 (4) December 1998

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