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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br /> DATE: July 20, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 318 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 1:00 P.M. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 318, reports as <br /> follows: <br /> Communication No. 318 nominates Roberta Ku`ulei Keakealani to the Hawaii County Cultural <br /> Resources Commission (CRC). The CRC requires specific representation from persons who <br /> possess a knowledge and interest in local area history and an understanding of Hawaiian culture, <br /> practices, burial beliefs, and customs. Ms. Keakealani is a Ka`upulehu and Pu`uanahulu lineal <br /> descendant who is active in burial treatment plan development and monitoring and holds a <br /> certificate in Hawaiian Lifestyles from Hawaii Community College. If confirmed, <br /> Ms. Keakealani will serve a term ending on December 31, 2026. <br /> Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome was present in the Hilo Council <br /> Chambers to introduce the nominee. Ms. Keakealani appeared via Zoom and spoke of her family <br /> roots tied closely to her relationship to the `aina and her knowledge of the lands and oceans <br /> which was formed from a lifestyle of passion for ha`i mo`olelo (story telling) and the Hawaiian <br /> language. <br /> Committee Members voiced their broad and overwhelming support for Ms. Keakealani and <br /> highlighted her background in cultural education and advocating for responsible planning. <br /> Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz asked Ms. Keakealani to describe how she would <br /> apply her knowledge and expertise to increase awareness of cultural features on the island. <br /> Ms. Keakealani responded that she brings an array of`ike (knowledge) from being brought up in <br /> a small village with a subsistence-based lifestyle rooted in Hawaiian culture that recognizes a <br /> collective and interconnected approach of serving the `aina. Committee Chair Kierkiewicz <br /> thanked Ms. Keakealani for her service and voiced that she is an excellent addition to the CRC. <br /> Pursuant to Hawaii County Code Section 2-226(b), there shall be a Hawaii County Cultural <br /> Resources Commission which shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council. <br /> The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable <br /> recommendation and passed with nine "ayes." <br /> PC Report No.: 21 <br />