HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0284.065 2020-2022 July 6, 2021
Aloha mai kakou,
My name is Chadd 'Onohi Paishon and am the Senior Captain for Na Kalai Wa'a
(NKW), a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on
education thru the lens of voyaging and community resilience that thrives thru the
continued focus on cultural connection from generations past, present and future.
I am also one of 5 Pwo Navigators inducted into this rank of Master Navigator by
our teacher and mentor Pius Mau Piailug.
Na Kalai Wa'a were invited to these Mahukona lands by kupuna of Kohala who
shared with us the importance of a site named, Ko'a Heiau Holomoana, a
navigational heiau, utilized as a school in generations pass and now stewarded by
NKW, to continue these traditions in the present and for our future.
I humbly submit this letter of support for Resolution 145-21 for the permanent
protection of Mahukona.
Na Kalai Wa'a (NKW) is working in partnership with Hawaii Islands Land Trust
(HILT),the four Kohala community groups who also submitted the#3 ranking
2020 PONC nomination and the greater Kohala and Hawai'i island community to
protect Mahukona.
As HILT and Na Kalai Wa'a's PONC nomination for 642 acres of Mahukona lands were
ranked 41 in 2020, Mahukona is a priority land protection effort for HILT. We would like
to share a few land acquisition updates:
HILT secured an Option Agreement to purchase the 642 acres of Mahukona lands.
HILT submitted a federal funding application for USFWS Recovery Land Acquisition
funds. This program's purpose is to protect habitat for threatened and endangered species
and if funded, HILT has committed to cultural and community based stewardship of the
lands for the protection of threatened and endangered species habitat. This funding
application is done in partnership with DLNR DOFAW.
These Mahukona lands were once slated as another resort development along the Kohala
coastline- and is now affording us an opportunity to permanently protect the lands and
waters that have and continue to teach generations of navigators and provide a sense of
reprieve and well being for Kohala and Hawaii island families. These lands are home to
over 175 cultural sites including Ko'a Heiau Holomoana, and we are diligently working
to ensure access and stewardship to lands that can continue to serve as a hub for
educational, environmental, and cultural resiliency.
PONC funds are critical to insure Hawaii Island's most precious lands, food, and water
sources are protected in perpetuity. This support,when done in close partnership with
`ohana and communities of place, also builds community resiliency and overall health.
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Mahalo nui for your support and for all that each of you do to insure that our community
and more importantly the aina continue to be cared for. "He ali'i ka 'aina he kanaka kaua,
aloha 'aina."In order for us to continue to voyage our aina needs to continue to thrive for
our community to thrive our aina needs to thrive. He wa'a he moku he moku he wa'a.
Me ka mahalo nui,
Chadd 'Onohi Paishon
Senior Captain,Na Kalai Wa'a
Pwo Navigator, Makali'i—Hokule'a
Ohana Wa'a