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Comm. 25-014 <br /> From: Archaeo Hawai i <br /> To: PONC Testimonv <br /> Subject: Support for Kuamo o Legacy Foundation and Ho oulu Lahui s PONC application <br /> Date: Wednesday,March 5,2025 9:14:52 AM <br /> Importance: High <br /> Aloha mai e PONC Commissioners, <br /> I am writing to express my strong support for the application submitted by the Kuamo`o Legacy <br /> Foundation and Ho`oulu Lahui for the acquisition and stewardship of lands at and surrounding Kumukahi <br /> through the PONC initiative. There is no greater responsibility than the care of ancestral lands, and no <br /> one is better suited for this kuleana than the mo`opuna of this `aina. <br /> Kumukahi is home to a number of precontact ceremonial sites, including heiau, as well as historic <br /> cemeteries and burial grounds where iwi kupuna rest. Its coastline continues to sustain traditional cultural <br /> practices such as fishing and gathering, and it serves as a vital habitat for endangered species including <br /> Hawaiian monk seals that now frequent the newly formed beach. Protecting Kumukahi is not only a <br /> matter of cultural preservation but also of environmental stewardship, ensuring that its natural and cultural <br /> resources remain safeguarded for future generations. <br /> The Kuamo`o Legacy Foundation and Ho`oulu Lahui are uniquely positioned to malama these lands.As <br /> descendants with ancestral ties and dedicated cultural practitioners and community members, they bring <br /> an intimate knowledge of and a deep commitment to Kumukahi's protection. Stewardship of these lands <br /> is not simply a responsibility to them, it is a birthright, an inherited kuleana passed down through <br /> generations. Their leadership will ensure that Kumukahi is cared for in a way that respects its historical <br /> and spiritual significance while maintaining its natural integrity. <br /> I strongly urge the Commission to support this application and move forward with the acquisition of these <br /> lands. Entrusting Kumukahi to the stewardship of Kuamo`o Legacy Foundation and Ho`oulu Lahui will <br /> provide the protection it deserves, ensuring that its cultural sites, natural resources, and ancestral spaces <br /> are protected in perpetuity. <br /> Mahalo a malama pono, <br /> Lauren Kepa`a-Tam Sing <br /> ...................................................... <br /> LAUREN KEPA'A-TAM SING <br /> ARCHAEO.HAWAI'I I FIELD DIRECTOR <br /> W W W.ARCHAEOHAWAII.COM <br /> (808) 313-1029 <br /> ...................................................... <br />