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<br /> Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Murashige, Laura <br /> <br /> From: Damien Kenison [namamo@yahoo.com] <br /> Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 11:34 AM ( 1 <br /> <br /> To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Subject: testimony from Hookena <br /> <br /> Aloha Angel, <br /> <br /> This is Damien Kenison Sr. from Hookena Beach submitting my testimony regarding bill 246. I <br /> believe this bill should not only be rejected but serve as a reminder to all kanaka maoli, kama'aina, and <br /> malahini about the wrongs that have been perpetrated upon the indigenous people of the Hawaiian <br /> Islands. <br /> I am acting Vice President for KUPA(Kama'aina United to Protect the `Aina), a 50IC-3 non-profit <br /> Hawaiian community foundation based at Hookena Beach, South Kona, Hawaii. Our mission goal is to <br /> improve the cultural, social, and economic conditions in our rural South Kona district. We are presently <br /> in negotiations with the County Parks Department to assist them in the maintenance of Hookena Beach <br /> through various community activities. <br /> <br /> The legal and moral rights of the Hawaiian people have been abused and this has caused irreparable <br /> damage to our culture and our way of living. Land use decisions have been manipulated by those who <br /> occupy positions of power in the government. <br /> to benefit the few wealthy and avaricious people whose influence extends to all aspects of society. <br /> <br /> Kanaka Maoli have been the big losers and are in danger of becoming outsiders in their own land. <br /> Eminent Domain, Adverse Possession, Clear Title process, failure to pay taxes, underhanded dealings by <br /> unscrupulous lawyers, real estate agents and legal representatives have all contributed to the demise of a <br /> once proud people and their culture. Displacement from their lands has resulted in kanaka maoli being <br /> unable to practice and pass on traditions that have enabled them to survive for a millennium. <br /> <br /> Land use policies have been legally and illegally manipulated to bypass regulations that are required of <br /> developers. Archeological sites and burials have been trampled and buried by bulldozers who are <br /> required to have monitors on site but do not. Lands with no clear title and insufficient permit <br /> requirements are being allowed to be developed through loopholes devised by lawyers and government <br /> officials. <br /> And now these same people, who are employed by the County and State of Hawaii, who are paid with <br /> taxes from Hawaii residents, who are legally bound to work for the benefit of all of the people of <br /> Hawaii, want to make exceptions that will result in the further degradation of the social, economic and <br /> cultural welfare of all the people of Hawaii, especially the kanaka maoli. <br /> It is my firm belief that land use policies in Hawaii are in need of a change and the priorities of the <br /> government officials who monitor, regulate and initiate changes should be reviewed by the people and <br /> appropriate action taken to reverse the negative impact that these issues have and will continue to cause <br /> in the future. <br /> <br /> Please deny the passage of bill 246 and begin the healing process that will rejuvenate the people of <br /> Hawaii and reinforce our belief in a legal system that is of the people, works for the people, and is <br /> supported and bound by the Constitution of the United States of America. comm, 1` <br /> <br /> Ref. Toe <br /> Ref. Late FIA1 <br /> 5/1/2006 <br />