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The Hawaii Councy Council <br /> Hawaii County Building <br /> 25 Aupuni Street ? <br /> c..~f i1~U h ~~irl `3 <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> August 1, 2007 <br /> Members of the Council, <br /> My name is Wryen ICwaha I am 15 years old and I live in Kealia, South Kona Since June, <br /> I have been observing the meetings concerning Resolution 169-07. I support the resolution all <br /> <br /> the way, and now have decided to speak up. I am not against development, nor am I against <br /> environmental preservation. I support both. <br /> At your last meeting (July 25, 2007), you held testimony in Kona on this resolution. I am <br /> truly angered by the Council's decision to postpone the voting for 169-07. We all heard both <br /> sides, and they all say the same thing. One person needs jobs, another needs to preserve the <br /> land. They all want what's best for Ka'u. <br /> 30 years is too long to wait We don't have the time or the energy to keep fighting. Lets <br /> solve this issue and vote. Mr. Pilago stated that one of the responsiblities as an Administrative <br /> Agency is to protect the wants and needs of the Native people. Yet, the five who voted for the <br /> postponement ignored him. They did not protect the rights and wants of the Native people. The <br /> Native people wanted a vote. And they were not given that, <br /> Mayor Kim should have requested a facilitator a long time ago. Councilwoman Nae'ole <br /> stated that this should have been done earlier. Ka'u is divided. As a Nichiren Buddhist of the <br /> Soka Gakkai international, we live by a principle-many in body, one in mind. Many in body <br /> represents diversity. We are all different-especially in Hawaii. One in mind represents the unity of <br /> a group of people in attaining victory of the same goal. Many in Body, One in Mind is needed in <br /> order to achieve victory. The only way to do this, is to vote now! <br /> When we vote, we have a goal set The community can then heal itself and work <br /> together to do what's best for Ka'u. I support this resolution for a few reasons. The first People <br /> have testified that jobs are needed in Ka'u and that a hotel could provide that However, people <br /> cannot afford to live in Ka'u right now. When you develop-the taxes go up. Who pays? The <br /> people have to pay. So the money you make working at the hotel is not adequate enough to <br /> support that Then what happens? You will need to find another job to pay for it. That means <br /> either you work in Hilo, or you work in Kona That plan doesn't work <br /> Preservation, however, is eternal. Punalu'u is the last remaining spot on the island. It must <br /> be preserved for future generations to understand the way of life of our ancestors. The Ka'u <br /> Preservation has been fighting for so long and has struggled. This is a serious issue. We can <br /> talk about preserving Punalu'u, but unless we take action we cannot win. We must advance. <br /> Now is the time! <br /> Mahalo nui loa, <br /> Wryen C Kiwa I' q <br /> Co . No. `f Q• -1 ~ <br /> Ref. To: U <br /> Ref. Date AUG 0 8 2001 <br /> <br />