Comm 25-033 re STU.26-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comm 25-033 Testimony for Protecting Stewarded Land for Cultural Preservation under Kupa`Aina o Keauhou. Dear County of Hawai'i, My name is Cortney Akana. I am submitting this testimony to request that the land Kupa`Aina o Keauhou has stewarded for cultural preservation remain under this stewardship and not be taken away, transferred, or repurposed in a way that would sever its living cultural connections. Personal connection and significance • Length of familiarity with Keauhou: I grew up and have a deep personal and cultural connection with Keauhou since 1996. • Cultural importance: The site holds cultural, historical, and spiritual significance for local Indigenous communities and for community members who practice ceremonies, teach traditional skills, and pass intergenerational knowledge there from which I have taken part in. • Role in cultural continuity: Activities on the land include traditional plant propagation and care, cultural ceremonies and gatherings, oral-history sharing, and educational programs that connect youth to ancestral practices. Stewardship actions and outcomes • Habitat and resource stewardship: Kupa`Aina o Keauhou has led efforts to restore native plant communities used for ceremony; implemented erosion-control measures; and protected sensitive plant stands from trampling and development. • Cultural programming: Kupa`Aina o Keauhou organized culturally centered gatherings, seasonal harvests, and intergenerational teaching sessions that strengthen cultural knowledge and community bonds. • Access and protection measures: Kupa`Aina o Keauhou has worked to limit disruptive uses, installed respectful signage, coordinated volunteer stewardship days, and partnered informally with local cultural knowledge holders to ensure practices align with Indigenous protocols. Community and intergenerational benefits • The land provides a safe, accessible place for cultural transmission to youth, elders, and returned cultural practitioners. • It supports mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being by sustaining culturally meaningful practices and connections. • Maintaining community stewardship prevents cultural displacement and preserves intangible heritage tied to place.