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

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what voyaging could be and how it could be rediscovered from the past. Here is a man that in his own rite still hung on to the original values and the integrities of sacred arts. And through his knowledge and experience with him we try to, we try to provide that kind of opportunities for children on our canoe. One of the things that was surprising way back in the day in early 70’s, is to even think about the thought that there is still such a man alive, or a person alive that still does that. And indeed he was alive, and we were able to take advantage of that art. I think we have the same thing here at Kahalu‘u. We are here and through the essence of time this site is still available; it is here for us to do whatever potential there is to go and explore. And so I’m in support of this project, and I hope that, whatever we do today, that we can try to continue this effort to provide stewardship to this site. Hōkūle‘a is around the world right now to a global voyage. One of its main missions is to explore world heritage sites. And even us as people, as we go to these sites, we see the value of the stewardship, we see the value of how throughout time the value of the site is usually measured through the test of time and survive throughout time, and the quality of the site really is how well the stewardship has brought it this far. And so where we see where stewardship fell away, sometimes you lose the essence and the, serve the true value of what that is; and where the stewardship was alive and healthy and well, it’s awesome. I think we can transfer the idea to this area here, that we still have this site and it’s still not something that will fade away. So this shift from resort to cultural, cultural entity, and to education, I stand in behalf of support for this project. Mahalo. UNGER: Mahalo. Bo Kahui, Joseph Spencer, Alaina Craig. SPENCER: Aloha. Aloha kakahiaka. My name is Joseph K. Spencer, III. And before I present my personal testimony on this subject, I’d like to just give you some background of how it would, how this testimony came about. I am a member of a Hawaiian, cooperating Hawaiian institution that was allowed the privilege to participate in the education program at Kahalu‘u Ma Kai, namely the Royal Order of Kamehameha. Although the Royal Order of Kamehameha has previously presented its testimony, I will let it stand. My comments are totally personal, but it’s because of our experience in the program, with Na ‘Ōpio and the vast positive response that we have from both teachers and students alike. This is my testimony: Aloha, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Hawai‘i County Planning Commission. I am Joseph K. Spencer, III, a resident of Kailua-Kona. I submit the following testimony in favor of SMA Application 15-060. The cultural landscape of Kahalu‘u Ma Kai will be restored to a Hawaiian place in which opportunities for applied learning, teaching, and knowledge are rooted in tradition while advancing learners and the lāhui toward innovation, leadership and a sustainable future. The conceptual plan shared with the community early on remains the same. It is both appropriate and coincides with the wishes of its benefactor, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Appropriate because it promotes the proper protocols for an educational environment. It focuses on educating our children. Appropriate also because it provides managed access for the broader community. This includes access to the shoreline, as well as the cultural assets of the lands. A managed access is integral to maintaining and preserving these assets, ensuring stewardship of these resources for future generations. For these and other good reasons iterated in testimony elsewhere, I urge the Commission to approve the application before you in this matter. Mahalo. UNGER: Mahalo. 9 EXHIBIT A