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V . APPLICANT INFORMATION
<br /> A. Brief history of the applicant organization. Include the date of incorporation, as a non-
<br /> profit organization (use attachments, where appropriate):
<br /> M)'omalu Ka'u is a tax-exempt nonprofit organiZatioll located in Na'alehu, Ka'u, on Hawaii Island. The
<br /> organization was formed on March 02, 2011 with three founding members. I-lo'ornalu's mission is to
<br /> perpetuate, protect, and conserve the lands, health, knowledge, cultures, and history of Ka'u and its people.
<br /> The board currently consists of seven members with Kau connections, each with various leadership,
<br /> educational and managerial backgrounds in businesses and local community organizations.
<br /> In 2011, Ho'onialu received a donation of 15 acres in Kahuku containing a pristine dry-land native forest.
<br /> The property borders the 25,55o acre, State of Hawaii, Manuka Natural Area Reserve to the west and
<br /> includes more than i,000 feet of frontage on Mamalahoa, Highway between Mile Markers 79 and 8o on the
<br /> niakai side. This land was given for the purpose of building and operating a heritage center for Ka'u. This
<br /> Heritage Center is being planned as a state-of-the-art archival center that will not only house Ka'u farral
<br /> photos,, maps, letters, books,papers, collected stories, oral histories, maps, and artifacts, but also serve as ai�i
<br /> educational, gathering, and welcome center for Ka'u organizations, families, and visitors with the
<br /> remainder of the property to be preserved as part of the dryland forest systern.
<br /> In 2014, flo'omalu Ka'u completed a boundary and topographic survey of its Kahuku property. We also
<br /> completed a biological survey Of its (22) twenty-two native plant species as well as an archaeological survey
<br /> and mapping of Keala'ehu, an ancient trail which traverses through the middle of the property. We co-
<br /> hosted cultural workshops as part of the Suninter Fun program. At Volcano,we taught 5ffi an 60,graders
<br /> how to video-interview their kupuna. We also participated.in multiple cultural festivals, events and
<br /> fundraisers,
<br /> In 2015, we. printed and published our booklet entitled, "Native Plants of the Ka'u Dryland Forest," Hawaii's
<br /> dr land forests are disappearing at an alarming rate, The purpose of the booklet was to educate the
<br /> community about native Hawaiian plants in Ka'u including their environmental value and cultural
<br /> significance. As people begin to identify and appreciate our native species,we believe that they will make
<br /> stronger efforts to protect and preserve these native plants when developing new house,lots and landscaping
<br /> their yards. We held our first"Native Dryland Forest"workshop at Kahuku Park in Ocean View.
<br /> In 226, we hosted three additional "Native Dryland Forest"worksbops in Pahala, Ocean View,and
<br /> Discovery Harbour. We also raised more than $25,000 to complete the installation of our predator proof
<br /> fencing at the makai end of our Kahuku property, connecting with fencing along the Manuka NARS border
<br /> to the west,
<br /> In 2017, we completed over fifteen"Kupuria of Ka'u"video records of the life histories and stories of local
<br /> elders to be archived.at our future Ka'u Heritage Center, We also formed a Kabua Olobu Committee to plan
<br /> and prepare for stewardship of the Kahua,Olohti in Kaunamano Ahupua'a, Kau through the submittal of a
<br /> County PONC Stewardship Grant Request application. Ho'ornalu Kau was a strong supporter of the
<br /> County's Purchase of the property tinder the PONC program. Board members of Ho'ornalu Kau include
<br /> family members of the Ke,,,inu 'Ohana who are direct lineal descendants of the area. "I'his new committee
<br /> includes a total of five lineal descendants of Ka'u who are currently involved in various corninun ity efforts to
<br /> preserve, protect and steward our island's cultural and natural resources.
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