HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 021 2021/07/20 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: July 20, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 318
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 1:00 P.M.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 318, reports as
follows:
Communication No. 318 nominates Roberta Ku`ulei Keakealani to the Hawaii County Cultural
Resources Commission (CRC). The CRC requires specific representation from persons who
possess a knowledge and interest in local area history and an understanding of Hawaiian culture,
practices, burial beliefs, and customs. Ms. Keakealani is a Ka`upulehu and Pu`uanahulu lineal
descendant who is active in burial treatment plan development and monitoring and holds a
certificate in Hawaiian Lifestyles from Hawaii Community College. If confirmed,
Ms. Keakealani will serve a term ending on December 31, 2026.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome was present in the Hilo Council
Chambers to introduce the nominee. Ms. Keakealani appeared via Zoom and spoke of her family
roots tied closely to her relationship to the `aina and her knowledge of the lands and oceans
which was formed from a lifestyle of passion for ha`i mo`olelo (story telling) and the Hawaiian
language.
Committee Members voiced their broad and overwhelming support for Ms. Keakealani and
highlighted her background in cultural education and advocating for responsible planning.
Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz asked Ms. Keakealani to describe how she would
apply her knowledge and expertise to increase awareness of cultural features on the island.
Ms. Keakealani responded that she brings an array of`ike (knowledge) from being brought up in
a small village with a subsistence-based lifestyle rooted in Hawaiian culture that recognizes a
collective and interconnected approach of serving the `aina. Committee Chair Kierkiewicz
thanked Ms. Keakealani for her service and voiced that she is an excellent addition to the CRC.
Pursuant to Hawaii County Code Section 2-226(b), there shall be a Hawaii County Cultural
Resources Commission which shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council.
The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable
recommendation and passed with nine "ayes."
PC Report No.: 21
3
1
PC-21 Page 2 July 20,2021
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Communication No. 318
and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Ms. Roberta Ku`ulei Keakealani to the
Hawaii County Cultural Resources Commission.
I
3
33
333
J3
1
I
I
I
JS
AYES NOES ABS Ex Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG x
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
INABA x
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER x
KIERKIEWICZ x
KIMBALL X
LEE LOY x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 21
VILLEGAS x ADOPTED: AUG--O 4 2