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<br /> 06/Ol/2007_FRI 10:01 FAX 808 599 1765 OFFICE, OF NAW'N AFFAIRS ~]FUI 1001 <br /> PHONE (808)594-1888 ,w 4.{ Fri-~i59~111E5 <br /> STATE OF HAWAII <br /> OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS q(+^ ) '~{1 C"'? <br /> 711 KAPI'OLANI BOULEVARD, SUITE 500 U"~~ ~ ' <br /> HONOLULU, HAWAI'196813 <br /> i; <br /> May 30, 2007 1*la)f,; <br /> RE: Testimony for the Hawaii County Finance Committee Regarding Ilr' I'.rrficn <br /> ]69-07, Punalu`u Ahupua`a, Hawaii Island. <br /> Deaz Committee Members, <br /> The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) SUPPORTS Hawaii County Finance Corr In; tee <br /> Resolution 169-07, which would protect coastal Punalu`u through the utilization o f hil:. c!.:: i <br /> Count y'sPublic Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund <br /> The secluded and [Ural ahupua'a of Punalu'u now faces great development pressten:. T r i s :z t~ c <br /> pressure has plagued and dramatically altered the cultural landscapes of Native Hawaiian ]daces <br /> such as Kittei on Maui, Koloa and Po`ipli on Kauai and Kailua-Kona on this great LL r,c. Ii <br /> Hawai `i. <br /> While, in this day of pragmatism, we all must accept and find places for real es. ah: e xl; ns cr <br /> we must also be mindful that there are areas in UIe State that are not appropriate f~ n ar. <br /> development. Punalu'u is one of these places. <br /> As a kipuka of Native Hawaiian culture, Punalu`u provides sustenance, both phys ca:] ~ ~.ni <br /> spiritually for a great number of people. From its much revered archaeological ~itc: Ic is I Ir nre <br /> fishing grounds to its critical habitat for several threatened and endangered specie.!. Pr. r.h.` 1, is <br /> it exists in its current natural state, is a crucial component for the survival of Na.i ; e I'I, : icn <br /> culture in the district of Ka`u. Simply put, Punalu`u can not sustain a sharp incr:aa~: in <br /> population such as has been proposed. Once Punalu'u is gone, it is gone forever. <br /> Now, as [he current stewazds of the `aina, it is our turn to make decisions that will try atfEax <br /> future generations. Let us not be indifferent, let us be righteous in our decisions arc h I ~ r <br /> legacy be one that our grandchildren will be proud of. This sentiment has been rcl ~oetl ni nn <br /> highest levels of Hawaiian government, including our Governor, the Honorable LiwJ~ Li n;l e. <br /> It is with this in mind that OHA urges the Committee to PASS Resolution 169-(l"7. I' I:.nR: ynu r"or <br /> the opportunity to offer testimony. <br /> Aloha, <br /> Clyd W. Namu`o~ <br /> Administrator <br /> Comm; Na~T~. ~i <br /> Ref. To, <br /> Ref. Date UN O7 <br /> <br />