HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0315.014 2020-2022 July 19, 2021
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Testimony of Emalia Keohokalole, `Ghana Keohokalole
To: The Finance Committee, County of Hawaii
I am testifying in full support of Resolution 161.
My name is Emalia Keohokalole and I represent both my kupuna who lived
on the Kiolaka`a lands as well as my living family, many of whom now
reside on Oahu. We believe that our ancestral, paternal roots to Ka`u are
tapu or sacred and these roots are forever.
Our `ohana firmly believes that the support of Resolution 16 Ito authorize
POMC funding from Hawaii County is very important for at least two
reasons: 1) the funds will complete the procurement process in the
acquisition of Kiolaka`a; and 2) the honorable task of mdlama `aina or
stewardship of the land can move forward. As a community of families of
Ka'-(i, we can step up to participate in the protection of the land from
development thereby ensuring its existence into perpetuity for all of us and
our descendants.
We all have a unique opportunity today. We commend the awesome work
that the Ala Kahakai Association, under the leadership of Keoni Fox, in
partnership with the Trust for Public Lands, under the leadership of Reyna
Ramolete and all the awesome team members of the Stewardship Committee
who have helped us reach this milestone in the entire journey of acquiring
Kiolaka`a. Without their leadership and persistence, we would not be here
today. Mahalo to all of them!
A final thought— and most importantly, we must consider that if we are
successful in receiving your support of Resolution 161, Kiolaka`a will be
our legacy to our children, those who are living now and those yet unborn.
Mahalo to all of you, members of the Finance Committee, for this
opportunity to testify —we ask for your favorable support of Resolution 161.
Mahalo a nui loa.
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Comm. No.
Ref, To:
Ref. Date—JUL 2 0 2021