HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0315.022 2020-2022 WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF LA'AKEA SUGANUMA
President, Mary Kawena Puku'i Cultural Preservation Society
County of Hawaii Finance Committee, July 20, 2023
Aloha,
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The Mary Kawena Puku'I Cultural Preservation Society fully supports the Alakahakai Trail
Association and the Trust for Public Lands` efforts to preserve the Ka'u coastline. These
are more to us than beautiful scenic areas. These are places where our ancestors lived,
loved and raised their children. We are their descendants and we owe it to them to
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preserve these places for those yet to come. We have the opportunity to have a say in
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what happens to these areas and not worry about outsiders with money and plans to
make more money with no concern for the environment, history and culture of its
people.
Mary Kawena Puku'i was a child of Ka`u, born in 1895 in Haniumalu, just above
Na`alehu.and was raised by her grandmother, Nali`ipo`aimoku. Her upbringing was rich
in the language, dances, culture and many different aspects of Hawaiian life. From a
young age, she recorded things she learned and dedicated her entire life to
preservation. Our purpose is to be a unique and invaluable educational resource based
on her life's work.
When we go to Waikapuna, I know just about where my great great grandmother's
house was.before the tidal wave forced everyone to move upland. Some of us know
that Kua, the great red guardian shark of Ka`u was fed here by the people. A few know
that this is where his son, Pakaiea, another family aumakua was born. Even fewer know
where Kawena`s grandfather, Keli`ikanaka`oleoHaililani, placed the lifeless body of his
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niece's newborn infant in a calabash, raised her body to the sun and prayed until the
baby stirred and cried. Do all of her descendents know what happened? They should.
Does anyone know what the remnants of those strance shaped rock structures on the
lava close to the cliffs were for? They should. Does everyone who goes there to fish
and picnic know there was a thriving fishing village there? They should. Do people
know about the birds, the plants, the history of the coastline? They should.
Thanks to Mary Kawena Puku`i documenting and explaining these things in "The
Polynesian Family System in Ka`u, Hawaiai" and "Native Planters in Old Hawaii, their
Life, Lore and Envifronment," we can educate ofhers so they have a different
appreciation and understanding of these areas.
Eliminating the possibility of development, which would destroy these areas provides us
the opportunity to insure the preservation of cultural sites and initiate old land and
ocean conservation practices that once kept the environment in good order. With your
help and support, we will have the unprecedented opportunity to progress to the past.
Mahalo for your kind considration.