Laserfiche WebLink
American from South Texas and I moved to Hawai'i because <br /> Hawai`i feels like my home. Not Texas, where I was persecuted <br /> and discriminated against. My cultural rights were taken away and <br /> a lot of my family reside on reservations. I do not want to see that <br /> happen here. The Mauna is a public trust. It is sacred land. And <br /> as people have testified, there are protections for cultural and <br /> spiritual practices. Those must be protected or they will be gone <br /> forever. Have you ever been to Native American reservation? Not <br /> pretty. Have you been to the ghettos here in Puna? Not pretty. <br /> The Mauna has sacred energy. I've visited there many times and <br /> the energy was beautiful because the people there were committed <br /> to protect the sacred land, the sacred mountain, their culture, and <br /> their beliefs. That should not be taken away, ever. This is above <br /> the law. This is really above the law. It goes to a higher power <br /> and a higher law. Please consider that. Mahalo. <br /> Mr. Robinson: Thank you. Nelson Ho. <br /> Mr. Ho: Aloha everybody. My name is Nelson Ho. I have been since 1995 <br /> actively opposing the land use mismanagement of Mauna Kea. <br /> Often on behalf of the Sierra Club. But I'm here today on my own <br /> behest and as a kia'i, one of the protectors of the mountain. I think <br /> the investigation of the ethical behavior of the County is properly <br /> within your purview. I don't think that the wording of the <br /> resolution is correct, however. And one of them was brought up <br /> by my friend, Ron Fujiyoshi. The rule of law is still deciding on <br /> whether that road is properly or improperly being challenged by <br /> the protectors and the elders, the kupuna. So I don't think you can <br /> rule on that. However, I would like you to investigate the ethical <br /> behavior of the County and maybe even the State. Are they <br /> participating in unethical behavior against the Hawaiian people and <br /> the Hawaiian culture? I think that is something you should take a <br /> look into, cause not enough people have, Statewide. Not enough <br /> people have and that's why we're in this divisive situation where <br /> the Hawaiian people and local residents won't take it anymore. I <br /> have given up going through the judicial system, personally. And <br /> I'm willing to commit my person to stop the desecration...for the <br /> desecration of the mountain. Because I don't know of any other <br /> recourse available to me as a person. So broaden your view if you <br /> take this issue on. Do not participate in the ongoing institutional <br /> racism of the State administration and the University of Hawai'i, <br /> specifically. I challenge them to change their racist behaviors with <br /> regards to their mismanagement of Mauna Kea. Early in 1995 <br /> when I became visible and I brought to the public's attention, the <br /> rubbish being blown into a ring of shrines that surrounds the whole <br /> mountain. There was construction debris that was blowing off the <br /> 20 <br />