Comm No 0021.123 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fund

Home

Edward Wirtz Volcano school of Arts and Sciences Volcano, Hawaii 96785 February 5,2019 Charter Commission Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Regarding: 2% Land Fund Program Aloha Commissioners, My name is Edward Wirtz my parents are Ed and Tessa Wirtz. I am a 6th grader at the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences, I live in Ka'u. I feel lucky that I get to go to Kawa one or two times a month. I love learning about malama aina to care for the land. I also learned how to protect the amazing native plants of Hawaii. Kawa is an important place to everybody: animals, plants, Hawaiians, tourists, and our school because it is a place that holds thousands of stories and memories that has significance and value to people from anywhere in the world. At Kawa, we get rid of invasive plants to make room for the native plants to flourish. I enjoy learning about the things we do there with Na Mamo o Kawa with Kumu James Akau, Uncle Duane, and Clarisa Pua. We learn about new native plants we haven't seen. We also learn how to use loppers and how to stop beach erosion. In 2006, 2010, and 2012, 63 percent of voters approved the 2% Land Fund and instead of purchasing Waikapuna you might use the money elsewhere. I feel that it is important to preserve these natural lands instead of letting these beautiful places around our island, like Waikapuna, become condos and hotels that will destroy sacred land. It will be beneficial to buy Comm. No. 21.123