2015-10-22 Leeward Exh A (SMA 15-060)

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25 with Queen Lili‘uokalani Children Center. I’m here today, and I invited some of the ‘ohana caregivers I work with, or grandparents raising their grandchildren because their parents cannot, and we all are very much interested in the perpetuation and the preservation of our Hawaiian culture. I’m speaking on behalf of my ancestors, the Aius, the Springers and the Kaomea ‘ohana. I am also representing my offspring who will hopefully carry forth the light of cultural knowledge and understanding into the future. My mother Mary Josephine Springer and my father David Souza of ‘Ewa Plantation are my parents, and my grandmother Mary Aiu grew up in Kailua-Kona. My grandmother married Malcom Springer from Massachusetts. My great-grandfather is Thomas Aiu and he married my great-grandmother Josephine Annie of the Kaomea ‘ohana. She was born in Kahalu‘u on the land fronting the present site of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church. Great-grandmother Josephine allowed the Catholic Church to use the Kahalu‘u property for the site of Saint Peter’s Church services when it was moved from La‘aloa. Great-grandfather Thomas Aiu was a devout Catholic, and Grandmother Josephine converted to Catholicism when she married him. My great-grandmother Josephine Kaomea Aiu also signed the petition against annexation of Hawai‘i to the United States of America. She was very strong in her cultural belief and practices. Keauhou is a sacred area rich with historical heiau and many yet uncovered cultural offerings that will present themselves to the students, young and old, who will participate in the learning. I support the removal of the Keauhou Outrigger Hotel and the redevelopment with care of the visible cultural sites and artifacts and those yet to appear. Keauhou has a strong spiritual history, so respect and care must be taken in the restoration of heiau and cultural sites. Speaking on my ancestors’ behalf is a great kuleana; not speaking up would be a greater disrespect of them. I asked my ‘ohana’s special presence guide me and touch your hearts, na‘au, and mind with the renewed sense of commitment, understanding and respect for the cultural and spiritual presence, which may continue to be shared with the ‘ōpio, mākua and kūpuna for many generations. Please use your whole being to embrace the full nature of this project. Policies and former practices may stifle the understanding of the creativity and true essence of this proposal. You Commissioners and planners have a tremendous kuleana in the formation of this enriching project. I appeal to you and your ancestors to embrace the magnitude of Kahalu‘u Ma Kai with cultural and spiritual sensitivity and a greater acceptance of what is seen and unseen. Mahalo for your attention, using your hearts and your minds. Aloha. UNGER: Aloha. Mahalo. Lokelani Brandt, Kalahoohie Mossman, Kamuela Plunkett. PLUNKETT: Aloha. I’m Kamuela Plunkett. Sorry. Aloha. I am Kamuela Plunkett from Waimea in the District of South Kohala. We thank you for your time. I’m a graduate student at UH Hilo in the Heritage Management Program. But I represent myself and my opinions. You know, in my studies we, I specifically study landscape and the interaction between landscape and man, and what derives out of the interaction is culture, yeah? And so spaces are important for how cultures are created but also how cultures are perpetuated. I’m in support of this project and I’m in support of the adjustments they need to make in access. You know, an example of what I’m talking about is this is a picture of my own huaka‘i in my own lands, walking along the King’s Trail and doing my own personal research. And as I’m walking along the King’s Trail, I want to access the shore, and I come across this gate. It’s for the Mauna Lani Bay Resort – sorry, let me look, couldn’t zoom in – but that’s the entrance to the Mauna Lani Beach Club and below that it says “Members and resort guests” and to the right of it on the side, it basically says no parking and for shoreline access walk around until you get to the designated area. And the space is created for mostly golf, people participating in golf, and on the golf field you’ve got people participating in culture. It’s a designated place; golf, 16 EXHIBIT A