Comm No 0021.133 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fund

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Alden Wells Student Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Volcano, Hawaii 96785 February 5, 2019 Charter Commission Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Aloha Commissioners, My name is Alden Wells, age 13, and I live in Waiakea Uka with my parents, David and Lisa Wells, and my sisters, Malia and Nora Wells. We own land in Ka'u and Waiakea Uka, and pay our land tax. We support the 2% Land -Fund Project, and were one of the 63% majority that voted for the fund. We want the fund because places that are underdeveloped, such as Kawa should be protected by the 2% Land Fund because of the cultural and natural importance. Before we and other people came to Kawa to protect it and put it back in it's natural and clean way, it was polluted with plastic and invasive species. Now, after 2 years, have put Kawa back in its beautiful and natural clean state. Don't make it dirty again by changing the 2% land fund. What I have learned about Kawa is its cultural significance to the Hawaiian culture. The rock walls, kalo garden, and spring all expose the fact that an ancient fishing village used to stand on these grounds. The spring in Kawa might be the last intact spring in all of the west side of the island not bought by water companies or rich landowners. The kalo gardens show how the ancient Hawaiian people got their plant nutrition. The walls carve out the path into the garden and into the heart of the once was village. If we don't act and use the 2% land fund for what it's intended to be used for, we could lose a part of history we can't risk losing. The value of Kawa to all is a very hard subject to touch. The beach and pond of the once -village is one that most people can't see. Any tourist Comm. No. 21.133