HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0186.028 2020-2022 r 3 is tial CO* Club
Finance Committee April 19. 2021
County Council of l-Iawa i'i
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo Ill 96720
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF taU WAI'I
• RECEIVED
Re: Strong support for Resolutions 80-21. 81-21. and 81-22 Time II:59 O.rt. Sy
Aloha Mr. Chair and members of the Finance Committee. Date APR 1 9 2021
The Kona Hawaiian Civic Club ("Kona 1-ICC") is not providing three'separate testimonies On
Resolutions 80-21, 81-21, and 82-21 because it considers the properties involved in these three
separate resolutions to be part of one wahi liana. a sacred traditional cultural landscape.
The I-Iawaiian Civic,Club movement was begun in 1918 by Prince Kilhio Kalaniana-ole. Prince
Kuhio established three founding objectives: 1) elevate (restore) the social status of Hawaiians.
2) elevate (restore) the intellectual status of 1-Iawaiians. and 3) increase pride in race heritage and
Hawaiian identity.
The Kona 1-ICC is also recognized as a Native Hawaiian Organization under the National
Historic Preservation Act.
The Kona 1-iCC is testifying today in strong support of Resolutions 80-21. 81-21. and 82-21 in
order to facilitate the preservation, protection. and restoration ofone of the state's most
important and ancient wahi paha.
The importance of this wahi pana is described in detail in "Attachment A". the National Register
of Historic Places Registration Form for the Holualoa 4 Archaeological District (State Site No.
50-10-37-23.661). Please note the Statement of Significance shows this area meets all four
National Register Criteria. it is unique for being the home of the most powerful women in pre-
contact Hawaiian history.
Keolonahihi ruled around 1300 A.D. and was the niece of the High Priest Pa`ao. Pau brought
the Ku religion to Hawaii with its kapu and a highly stratified social system that lasted_500
years. Keakealaniwahine was the Alii Nui. ruler. of I-Iawai'i island from 1640-1645 and was the
great-great-grandmother of Kamehameha 1. She and her mother. Keakamahana. arc regarded as
the only two women to have ruled the entire Big Island in pre-European times.
P 0 Box 4098 Kailua-Kona HI 96745 1`6I.2'
• www.konahawaiiancivicclub.com Comm. No.
Ref. To: P1 FG
Ref. Dote APR 2 0 2021
Most of the land referred to in the Resolutions being supported is in the ahupua'a of Pahochoe.
In the 1848 "Great Mahele". King Kamehameha III declared Pahochoc. Kona "to he lands of the
Hawaiian Government. subject always to the rights of tenants".
The Kona HCC acknowledges many kanaka maoli feel any purchase of property is moot and
invalid as a result of the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893. acknowledged by
the United States in the 1993 "Apology Resolution". The Kona FICC sees the acquisition of
these properties as the best opportunity to protect the rights of native tenants. as well as the 'aina
of this wahi pana. It would help preserve the potential for a restoration of the critically important
traditional and customary practices associated with this sacred center l'or the healing arts.
Resolutions 80-21. 81-21. and 82-21 also promote the Goals. Policies. and Standards of the
General Plan (2005) as well as the Kona Community Development Plan Smart Growth CGuidin,_
Principle: "1. Protect and preserve open space. natural beauty. agricultural lands. cultural and
environmental resources" through the creation of a"green belt" between the Keauhou and Kailua
Village Transit-Oriented Development nodes.
Mahalo ame mat, Ila pmo<-
Caleb Kekoa Nazara
President
•
P 0 Box 4098 Kailua-Kona HI 96745
www.konahawaiiancivicclub.com