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CHARLES YUNG testified; however, he did not specify which agenda he was testifying on. Based on <br /> his testimony, it is assumed he spoke on Sugg. 25-03. He said it would not be the right thing to <br /> build a parking lot, hotel, or any of their infrastructure. <br /> KARI KIMURA, SHANE AKONI PALACAT-NELSON, KEONE KALAWE, GRANT UYEHARA,JIM <br /> MEDEIROS, EDWARD RAPOZA; NOEAU O'BRIAN testified; however, they did not specify which <br /> agenda item(s)they were testifying on (though based on their testimony they were likely speaking <br /> in reference to Sugg. 25-03). All of these testifiers spoke in support of a site containing a "spring." <br /> There being no further testifiers at that time, Chr. Rosam continued to the next agenda item. <br /> V. NEW BUSINESS: <br /> 1. 2025 Suggestions: Commission will be reviewed, discussed, and interviewed the nominators of <br /> each suggestion (20 minutes per suggestion). <br /> a. Sugg. 25-01, Waiakahi'ula Burial &Agricultural Complex, Puna, Hawai'i. <br /> TMK(3) 1-5-063:042, 043 <br /> Chr. Rosam opened the floor to those wanting to testify on this suggestion. <br /> OLIA KAUKA testified in support of Suggestion 25-01 and emphasized the urgency of <br /> acquiring those properties. She said the landowner is planning to develop a vacation <br /> rental adjacent to the burial site and has violated the burial treatment plan and <br /> destroyed a portion outside the burial site within the last seven months. She also stated <br /> that the owner ran a machine to make a buffer zone which violates the burial treatment <br /> plan. <br /> ASHLEY KIERKIEWICZ, Council Member representing District 4, testified in support of <br /> Suggestion 25-01. She said her office was contacted by Noeau O'Brien to report findings <br /> of archaeological studies from the 1970s which identified a number of cultural and <br /> historical artifacts on this particular site. <br /> KEONE KALAWE testified in support of Suggestion 25-01. He said Waiakahi'ula is under <br /> threat right now because of the landowner and a resolution is needed to stop further <br /> desecration as there are burials and other important structures on the site. <br /> There being no further testifiers for this suggestion, Chr. Rosam invited the nominators of <br /> these parcels to the microphone. <br /> Chr. Rosam asked the nominator to share more about the investigation. The nominator <br /> Leah Gouker explained that state and county agencies had been to the site due to an <br /> infraction involving a known grave and there being machines in the area. SHIPD & BLNR <br /> will need to make a recommendation, which could take years. <br /> Cmr. Chang asked the nominator if it is possible for a vacation rental to operate there, <br /> Draft 1 -Minutes of March 10, 2025 <br /> Page 2 <br />