Comm 25-022 re Sugg. 25-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comm.25-022 Answers to questions from PONC Commission regarding the Kumukahi application Would Ho'oulu Lahui have the capacity to coordinate the stewardship effort over this vast area (nearly 2,000 acres)? Yes, Ho'oulu Lahui has the proven capacity, experience, and deep cultural grounding to coordinate stewardship of Kumukahi's nearly 2,000 acres. Established in 1995, Ho'oulu Lahui was founded specifically to care for na wahi pana (storied and sacred places) in Puna, and has demonstrated decades of successful stewardship, cultural preservation, and land management. Track Record of Land Stewardship Ho'oulu Lahui secured and managed 600 coastal acres at Pu'ala'a, just down the road from Kumukahi, a culturally and environmentally rich area replete with fishponds, anchialine pools, lowland rainforest, and over 40 acres of archaeological sites, including burials. The organization continues to hold leases on multiple parcels, including 10 acres in Nanawale and five acres along the Pahoa-Kalapana highway. Founder Keikialoha Kekipi is a recognized lineal descendant of both Pu'ala'a and Kumukahi, providing strong genealogical and spiritual connection to the 'aina. Planning & Implementation Capacity Ho'oulu Lahui has developed and executed multiple strategic plans for Puala'a, including a Master Plan (2000), a Forestry Management Plan, and a Waste Management of an Ahupua'a Plan. These plans, developed in consultation with Townscape Inc., were fully implemented and served as models for holistic land ownership. Over 40 acres of archaeological site were mapped and restored, and over 12,000 native plants were planted and grown to support ecosystem restoration and distributed to the community. Organizational & Financial Capacity Ho'oulu Lahui has successfully secured and managed over$20 million in local, county, state and federal grants over these past 30 years. This funding has supported programmatic, facilities, and stewardship initiatives, demonstrating strong administrative capacity and accountability. Community-Based Approach Ho'oulu Lahui is not working in isolation. It has built deep, lasting partnerships with local organizations, cultural practitioners, and community members. The successful development of Kua O Ka La, a Native Hawaiian charter school, which emerged from Ho'oulu Lahui's education and stewardship programs, speaks to the organization's ability to translate land-based practices into long-term community institutions. In recent years, Ho'oulu Lahui has actively engaged community stakeholders to prepare for coordinated stewardship at Kumukahi. Preparedness for Kumukahi The reopening of Lighthouse Road opening, and the increasing exposure of sensitive sites, including iwi kupuna, cultural artifacts, and endangered habitats, have heightened the urgency for a trusted, capable entity to lead coordination of stewardship. Ho'oulu Lahui is ready and able to lead this effort by coordinating planning, securing and managing funding, and managing community collaborations. 1