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and trainings in Lomi KeAla Hoku. This work carries principles of restoring communion with nature, both within ourselves and in relationship with the natural world. As such, we are firmly committed to the authentic and enduring protection of cultural and educational sites that support the restoration and continuation of Hawaiian cultural practices and sacred places. I also wish to share my personal connection to the Kanaka`ole `ohana and lineage. I was an original cast member of `Ulalena, originating the featured role of "Taro."As part of our training, we had the honor of receiving chants and hula from Aunties Pua and Nalani Kanaka`ole, and of learning from their mana`o. Since that time, I have continued to follow and support the work of the Kanaka`ole `ohana through lectures, performances, and online offerings, including Kekuhi Kanaka`ole and her daughter, Kaumaka`iwa Kanaka`ole. Although I do not have Native Hawaiian ancestry, I feel a profound connection to the Kanaka`ole Foundation's purpose through my own Indigenous roots. I am originally from Jamaica, with ancestry that includes Arawak Indian, African, South American Indigenous, and Japanese lineages. The shared Indigenous understanding of land as living, conscious, and relational binds me to this effort in respect and reverence for the wisdom of the land and those who malama her. If Ka`alaiki Kula were to be developed, we would lose a rare and irreplaceable opportunity to preserve and cultivate an entire ahupua`a. Beyond the loss of cultural and archaeological sites, such development would diminish the mana of the land and foreclose the possibility of demonstrating the profound effectiveness of traditional land stewardship practices. The benefits of preserving Ka`alaiki Kula extend to all. In the teachings I have received —and across Indigenous cultures worldwide—the land is understood to be alive and conscious. Protecting the integrity of the ahupua`a restores balance and respect among all its interconnected elements. Land, water, plants, animals, and people are nurtured together in harmony. In this way, the flourishing of each element strengthens the whole, creating a living system far greater than the sum of its parts. My hope for Ka`alaiki Kula is that it becomes a beacon for Indigenous-led preservation —an enduring example of how natural and cultural resources can be protected, restored, and honored through ancestral knowledge. May it stand as a powerful educational site demonstrating how a resourceful, reciprocal, and harmonious relationship with the natural world is both possible and essential. Mahalo nui Ioa for your consideration. With respect, Jody Mountain • Founder, Lineage of Light/Ancient Hawaiian Bodywork Contact: jody((�)Linea_.ecl ofLight.com • ANCIENT HAWAIIAN BODYWORK • LINEAGEOFLIGHT.COM • PO BOX 790144 • PA'IA, HI 96779 Sugg.26-05