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<br /> Archaeology-Architectural History-History-Ethnography-GIs
<br /> January 24, 2025
<br /> County of Hawaii
<br /> Public Access, Open Space, and Natural
<br /> Resources Preservation Commission(PONC)
<br /> 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603
<br /> Hilo,Hawaii 96720
<br /> Re: Letter in support of the PONC acquisition of a roughly 77-acre property (TMKs: (3) 7-9-005:004,
<br /> 0005, 014, 015,and 089) located in Md'ihi 1st and Kuamo`o Ahupua`a,North Kona District,Island
<br /> of Hawaii.
<br /> Dear PONC members:
<br /> I am writing to you today as the Director of ASM Affiliates (a Hilo based heritage management firm), the
<br /> Chair of the County of Hawaii Cultural Resources Commission, and a resident of Hawaii Island, to let
<br /> you know that I strongly support the PONC acquisition of a roughly 77-acre property(comprised of TMKs:
<br /> (3) 7-9-005:004, 0005, 014, 015, and 089) located in Md'ihi Ist and Kuamo`o Ahupua`a, North Kona
<br /> District, Island of Hawaii. I previously participated in the fieldwork for two separate archaeological
<br /> surveys of the subject parcels, and I am very familiar the exptional natural, cultural, and recreational
<br /> resources that the property contains. The parcels encompass a mostly intact and impressive cultural
<br /> landscape that includes traditional habitation complexes, ceremonial structures, trails, numerous burials
<br /> features, widespread evidence of landscape modification for traditional agricultural, lava tubes, and other
<br /> historic ranching related structures. The PONC purchase of the property would help preserve this amazing
<br /> cultural landscape for the benefit of future generations.
<br /> The lands encompassed by the parcels are also of great historical significance and are an intergal part of
<br /> Kona's heritage landscape,where the battle of Kuamo`o occurred in December of 1819.That decisive battle
<br /> between Liholiho's (Kamehamcha II's) forces under the direction of Kalaimoku and forces defending the
<br /> traditional kapu system under the direction of Kekuaokulani,marks a major event in the course of Hawaiian
<br /> history. Kalaimoku's forces ultimately prevailed and the traditional kapu system was abolished. It is said
<br /> that Kekuaokalani,his wife Manono,and several of their supporters were slain as they made their last stand
<br /> at the coast of this property, and that is where they were buried.
<br /> The parcels are adjacent to a roughly 47-acre coastal property that was previously purchased by a 501(c)(3)
<br /> nonprofit organization (Aloha Kuamo`o `Aina) in 2015 to help protect a portion of the 1819 Kuamo`o
<br /> battlefield from development. The PONC purchase of the property would help expand that effort and
<br /> provide increased protection for this important battlefield site. The property also includes a section of a
<br /> historic trail alignment that extends along the coast of Hawai'i Island and has been incorporated into the
<br /> Na Ala Hele and Ala Kahakai State and National Historic Trail Systems. The PONC purchase of this
<br /> property would help protect the battlefield site and trail.
<br /> I strongly support the PONC acquisition of this property, and think that it should be ranked highly on the
<br /> list of potential purchase properties since its resource values perfectly match the purposes of the Public
<br /> Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. Purchase of the property will provide
<br /> increased opportunities for public outdoor recreation and education, coastal access, and the preservation of
<br /> a culturally important landscape that contains many significant historic sites. I know that there will be
<br /> widespread community support for the PONC purchase of these parcels, and the landowner's willingness
<br /> 507A E. Lanikaula Street,Hilo,Hawai'i 96720-(808)969-6066
<br /> 820 Mililani St.,Suite 700, Honolulu,Hawaii 96813-(808)439-8089
<br /> 149 Ma'a St.,Suite 100, Kahului,Hawai'i 96732-(808) 736-6665
<br /> www.asmaffiliates.com
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