HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0315.018 2020-2022 From: Janice Glennie
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2021 12:13 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support for acquisition of Kiolaka'a preservation through POMC fund
Re: Kiolaka'a acquisition
Aloha council members,
I'm speaking in strong support for the protection of Kiolaka'a for conservation, agriculture, and cultural preservation
with management by Ala Kahakai Trail Association who's focus is "to support and guide acommunity-managed trail
that honors those who came before and perpetuates for those to follow–with protocols and respect for Hawai`i past,
present and future. ATA's vision is community-based management of the trail and its surrounding natural and cultural
landscape." Amene.
I've worked with this group in the past and have huge respect for the work they do. And though I'm not a Ka'u
dweller, I'm familiar with other groups and individuals who are—many who have spent hundreds, if not thousands
of hours working for decades to protect this land and its nearshore resources from environmental and cultural
degradation. The too few times I've visited the area, I found it to be amazing, wild and wonderful in indescribable
ways—unique in the world; including the cultural resources which are ancient and living at the same time.
As to my background, I'm the longest serving member of the Kona Community Development Plan Action and past
Steering Committees, and I spearheaded the successful 20-year campaign to protect 'O'oma II from development— a
campaign that culminated in those 200-plus acres being acquired through Hawai'i County's Open Space Fund. I
honor the wishes of the Ka'u community to have these lands protected and maintained so that they can have the
natural, open space needed for them to thrive and survive by perpetuation of their own community's plan and long
term goals. I hope you agree and will vote to provide 2% Land Fund money for purchase, protection and management
of the lands of Kiolaka'a.
Sincerely,
Janice.FaIma-C�c.nive
ai�isa- ona,Hawaii 9 745
Comm. No. �•��
Ref. To:
1 Ref. Date2021