2022-06-08 Cultural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes

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with the site and stated that there is a wealth of deposits in the area from Ali`i to Kuakini. She pointed out several nearby sites with identified archeological sites to support her request for consideration of how development would affect the Kona community, and to keep the artifacts in its current condition. She stated that the parcel makai is intended for and received an approval for a road and reported that there were no members of the public in favor of the proposal at the Planning Commission hearing in April. The developer did not work with any cultural or lineal descendants of the area and the development team could not respond to whether cultural or lineal descendants were recognized for this project. She would like the staff and commission to ensure that lineal and cultural descendants are contacted to work directly with these development applications, and that development proposals come to the Cultural Commission first,before the Planning Commission. Louis Barrere provided in-person testimony and began by stating that he moved to the area three years ago. He has educated himself on the culture of the area and was aghast to discover how much desecration has occurred with native Hawaiian burial grounds and sacred sites. He believes these cultural sites should be kept sacred. Development around or on top, and relocation of cultural sites is a horrible thing to do. He feels that so much disturbance of burial sites and sacred places has taken place in the past and not building where burial sites are located is respectful. It is his understanding that the Planning Commission gets the applications before the Cultural Resources Commission has a chance to review them. He added that water pressure is very low and wonders why large developments are getting approved when there may not be water or sewer services to support it. Many projects have been approved that are beyond the capacity of sewer and water, which he feels is absurd. He would like to see sacred sites remain sacred. Clare Loprissi began her in-person testimony in 'Melo no`eau and informed the commission that this is her 50th year helping deliver babies (YouTube timestamp 13:25). She expressed that it is disgraceful that the Kuakini Wall is even being discussed and that it is hewa. She doesn't know any Hawaiian who is comfortable with the ramifications of digging up the iwi. She believes there needs to be an EIS, although the time for an EIS has passed several years ago. She expressed that the area is kapu and that the iwi and ki`i are always together. She feels that an EIS needs to be reopened. She stated that if you are not aware of generational trauma and cultural sensitivity and the effects of that on children and generations to come, this will have a deep effect. She mentioned Hawaiian Homelands and how packed the people are in the area. Ms. Loprissi ended her testimony warning the commission that it is necessary to ensure the archaeologists are not paid off when an EIS is done because she knows that archaeologists have quit in the past because they were told they would lose their jobs if they did not comply. Upon concluding the in-person testimony, the commission heard from individuals providing online Zoom testimony. Janet Matlock provided her testimony. She began by stating that she is a resident of Kailua-Kona, not far from the parcel in discussion. She informed the Commission that she also provided written testimony about the importance of the entire surrounding area as a whole, not parcel by parcel to understand what will be lost, including the potential desecration and destruction of the great wall of Kuakini. She encouraged the recognition of decisions made over a decade and a half ago as they are no longer respectful of the challenges faced by the island and the world today. She also cautioned to consider carefully whether the developer will be able to follow through on their promises. The County of Hawai`i Property Tax website showed that this parcel Page 2 of 14 Cultural Resources Commission June 8,2022