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<br /> LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON ESTABLISHING COUNTY PARK <br /> AT PUNALU'U <br /> COMMENTS BY JIM SPIELMAN 929-8334 <br /> JUNE 4TH 2007 <br /> I.I believe that the correct decision on Resolution 169-07 is to support it and establish the <br /> County Park at Punalu'u. Move us off the dime...Then the community can come together <br /> and form a work crew,a committee drawn from the entire community, who will work to <br /> clean up and restore the pazk as well as to assist in maintaining the park. <br /> Ka'u Preservation is a non profit organization that would be willing to chair the <br /> maintenance group However, it would need to be drawn from the entire community and <br /> not only Ka'u Preservation. <br /> We aze already in possession of a volunteer worker list that is made up of people from the <br /> community who are not members of Ka'u Preservation and a few who aze members. We <br /> have not yet canvassed ow own members to be on such a work force. <br /> As you can see from the list there aze already 87 people who have volunteered to Malama <br /> Punalu'u. In addition,we have gained the commitment of two professions to oversee the <br /> work of cleanup and restoration at Punalu'u; <br /> Dr. Jason Turner,doctor of marine science at the university of Hawaii. He has worked at <br /> Punalu'u for a number of years and his assistance will be invaluable on issues of the <br /> coastline and the endangered species. <br /> We also have a commitment from Dr. Luciano Minerbi, doctor of azcheology at the <br /> University of Hawali.He is also a specialist in the field of urban and regional planning. <br /> In addition, appzoval of this resolution will free up other monies which include, but aze <br /> not limited to, 3 million dollazs from the federal govenunent via the work of <br /> Congreewoman Mazie Hirono. <br /> 2. This NOT just a beach.This is a lifegiving place.We, Hawaiians and all others go there <br /> to be RENEWED, REFRESHED,and REENERGIZED. Much like an infant sucking <br /> from it's mothers breasts. This is a spiritual place indeed. There is a reason why there are <br /> three heiau look down on the beach and the bay and why there are multiple burial sites <br /> throughout the ahupua'a. <br /> Families have come here for centuries to celebrate: births,baptisms,graduations and <br /> marriages,funerals and family reunions. They have also come here to listen to their own <br /> inner voice to solve problems or make decisions. Families come here to be embraced by <br /> their gods. <br /> 3.Approval of this resolution will NOT inflate our property values and make us rich in <br /> money;but it will make us rich in the knowledge that we have heazd the words of Dennis <br /> Pavao and acted on them.He calls us, all of us, whether Hawaiian or not, to STAND <br /> TOGETHER TO SAVE OUR SACRED LANDS and in the process all our endangered <br /> species of plants and animals,the Hawaiian culture and tradition and for all of us...a way <br /> of life. <br /> This is a legacy moment for all of us, residents and council members as well; We can all <br /> rest assured that our children and our children's children will forever be grateful for our <br /> foresight and dedication to preserve Punalu'u and the coast of Ka'u. <br /> We will know that we have been BLESSED,GRACED`and GIFTED to do so. <br /> Ref. To: <br /> Ref. Date JUN <br /> <br />