2015-01-08 Hearing Transcript-GAF Puna Pono Alliance

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HENKEL: Thank you, and thank you for your service in Vietnam. MIYASATO: Commissioners, any further questions? Thank you. Could you please state your name and residence and, excuse me, Mr. Dedman, which organization did you represent? DEDMAN: Pele Defense Fund. MIYASATO: Okay, thank you. And, please state the organization. FUJIYOSHI: Aloha Windward Planning Commission Members. My name is Ronald Fujiyoshi. I’m the treasurer of Ohana Ho‛opakele, one of the Claimants listed on this, but unfortunately, I’ve been the treasurer since 2000, the year 2000, and so I’m the one who checks the mailbox, but I did not, I do not believe that we received a copy of the claims adjuster, who commented on this, at all, and I don’t understand why we, that happened. I urge you to release funds from the Geothermal Asset Fund for the geothermal impact mitigation proposal project to be led by Dr. Edelstein. Although I’m speaking as the treasurer of Ohana Ho‛opakele, which I said I’ve been since the year 2000, I am also the pastor of the ‛Ōla‛a First Hawaiian Church in Kurtistown. When I grew up here in Hawai‛i in—you know, all the way through high school, and I went to school with one of your members on the Commission, I did not know that the Kingdom of Hawai‛i was illegally overthrown. And, I think now because of the, President Clinton’s statement, PL 105-1, 105-103 [sic], I think it’s clearly established that the illegality of the overthrow is, is true. I have since concluded that I am of settler background that came from Japan to work and live here. I have recognized that the Native Hawaiians are the host people who live here in Hawai‛i. As a religious person, who lived in Asia for 20 years—I spent 20 years as a missionary in Asia as a community organizer—I have come to respect all religions as equally valid. Here in Hawai‛i, I believe there is a lack of respect for Hawaiian spirituality. This proposed, proposed study will help to show how geothermal is affecting Native Hawaiians in ways previously not known to many of us. With the recent lava flow affecting or threatening the Pāhoa community, there’ve been this talk of a, ways to divert the lava have been raised, and in this conversation, Native Hawaiians who previously not spoken in the public meetings then voiced their religious beliefs, opposing to this diversion of lava as being an affront to their religion. And, so this clued me in that Native Hawaiians keep their spirituality, their religion personal and not necessarily are saying it out loud, but they hold it, and it came out in this process. So, I strongly urge you to do what is right. Release the funds from the geothermal asset fund to fund this project. Thank you very much. MIYASATO: Commissioners, any questions? 5 EXHIBIT D