HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0315.002 2020-2022 From: Matt Clark
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2021 9:02 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support Resolution 161
Aloha members of the County Council Finance Committee,
I support, and I strongly urge you to support, Resolution No. 161 which will provide County funding to match the BLNR
approved the grant award via the Public Access, Open Space,and Natural Resources Preservation (POMC)Commission for the
acquisition of lands at Kiolaka'a, Ka'u for preservation by the Ala Kahakai Trail Association.The Kiolaka'a Property is part of an
exceptional and intact cultural and natural landscape that extends along the entire coast of Ka'u, much of which has already
been protected from development. This 1,841-acre property is one of the few remaining coastal properties along the Ka'u
coastline that remains threatened by imminent development. As a professional archaeologist and a graduate of the UH Hilo
Master's in Heritage Management program I have had a chance to explore portions of this property and to view firsthand its
unique cultural and hand natural resources.The Kioloka'a property extends to the eastern shoreline of Ka'alu'alu Bay and is a
popular spot for fishing, diving,gathering, surfing, and camping. It is a community treasure and it contains portions of the
ancient Kamakalepo settlement,the Lua Nunu cave system,an intact native dryland forest, an extensive ancient trail network,
native coastal plants,the Kapenako fresh water spring, a complex of anchialine pools that are all important components of the
cultural and natural landscape of coastal Ka'u. This property needs to be protected so that it can be experienced and enjoyed,
not only by the current residents of Ka'u and our Hawaii Island community as a whole, but by future generations to come.
Please vote in support Resolution No. 161 and help protect and sustain the historical significance, unique cultural resources
and natural environment of this place.
Mahalo, Matt Clark
Matt Clad(
' • Senior Archaeologist
I ASM Affiliates I Hilo, HI
' Office: (808) 969-6066 1 Mobile:
mclark@asmaffiliates.com
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www.asmaffiliates.com
Comm. No.
Ref. To: V11FG
Ref. Date 1
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