HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0476.007 2020-2022 3
From: Damien Kenison
Sent: Tuesday,January 04, 2022 11:07 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Uncontrolled Tourism
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Aloha no kakou, I am writing this letter to encourage collaboration between our Federal, State and County governments, the
Hawaii Tourism Authority, and any other divisions of our government that has responsibility for the welfare of the Hawaiian
people and local residents.
Despite the large tracts of unused farmland in Hawaii, tourism is promoted as the main economic driver for the State of Hawaii.
As we import more and more products to feed, house, and clothe our families, lands that were set aside for the inhabitants of I
these islands to live on and thrive are put up for sale to developers.We have become dependent upon an industry that provides
economic benefits to some of us but also is detrimental to our environment and imposes unnecessary inconveniences on our
local population. 3
People come here, enjoy the beauty of Hawaii and decide they want to move here. The Kona Coast is being carved up for
development without regard to the coral reefs, fish, or people who depend on the marine life for sustenance which inhibits the
passing on of our traditional practices.
Hookena Beach Park which was acquired from the Uhaihao/Alani family through eminent domain has become a crowded and
unenjoyable venue for our families. Vehicular traffic uses a private road to the park that the State and County have ignored as
being an illegal access and encouraged its use by paving it.When the parking at the beach is full, cars are parked on both sides
of Hookena Beach Road.
Tourists are not informed or educated about the areas they visit and the ethical or appropriate behavior they are expected to
exhibit. Tourists and visitors walk through private lots, block access to the park, leave trash on the beach, and pursue the
dolphin in Kauhako Bay in hopes of experiencing a once in a lifetime event. I
Like the Micronesian immigrants who were brought here in compensation for the USA misuse of their homelands, tourists are
not made aware of how to use our natural resources appropriately or interact respectfully with our local residents and have
developed an unsavory reputation which has caused us to be regarded as racists. We have become strangers in our own land
being disrespected and ignored even with all of the State run programs that are intended to benefit us.
I am not the first person to voice this criticism of our State and County governments and the various organizations that support
them but my only question is, when will you listen and do something substantial to improve the status of Hawaiians and local
residents, protect our natural resources, and teach the visitors to our home what is pono?
Ke Aloha Nunui,
Damien Kenison
Hookena
Comm. No.
Ref. o: P({�®(�.
Ref. Date JAN 2022
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