HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0856.002 2020-2022 COMM.
July 18th, 2022
Jesse Kekoa Kaho'onei
jkkahoonei@gmail.com (908)-591-3420
74-207 Ililoa St. Kailua,Kona HI 96740
To: Finance Committee of the County Council4
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Re: Res. 449-22,Agenda for July 19, 2022
Awards a Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation
Maintenance Fund Stewardship Grant to Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell
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Ethnobotanical Garden
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To the Members of the Finance Committee,
1 am writing in support of resolution 449-22, awarding Public Access, Open Space, and Natural
Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund Stewardship Grant to Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell
Ethnobotanical Garden. Mahalo for pushing the resolutions through, so they can work to
acheive their goal of eventual full-time opening and programs, after years of closure.The funds
received from this grant will greatly assist in the Friends groups efforts to provide a space for
the local, as well as extensive, community to connect to the indigenous and endemic plants of
these islands, and also aid in their efforts to preserve and continue the growth of these native
species.
My name is Jesse Kekoa Kaho'onei and I am a descendant mainly of the area of South Kona. 1
have been apart of the Friends group and extensive 'ohana for about seven years now, however
1 have been aware of the Garden and its importance to the community for about twelve. 1 was I
first informed about the Garden back when I was living on O'ahu attending the University of
Hawai'i at Manoa. I was informed by numerous practitioners of weaving, kapa making as well as
taro farming of the Gardens existence.They had informed me of the Garden's uniqueness in
that it was one of the only remaining archaeologically preserved sites of what we now refer to
as the "Kona Field System." Not only was this place preserved but it was being utilized within
the same intentions as its traditional use.
When I had eventually made the decision to move to Kona with my wife and children, it was
important for me, especially as a Hawaiian Studies undergraduate,to visit the garden for
myself. When 1 did, I was amazed at what I was seeing. 1 had read about these features and
techniques of agriculture over the years of studying at the University. 1 remembered the words
of Hawaiian historians such as David Malo,John Papa 1'1, Samuel Manaiakalani Kamakau, as well
european travelers such as Archibald Menzies and Alexander Stokes.The way that they 3
described these agricultural systems and stone features mirrored in what I was seeing in this
Garden.The Garden was also a sanctuary for the many endemic and endangered species of
Hawaiian plants, and the nursery was there to allow the public to share of this wealth. In time I
eventually became fortunate enough to begin work and maintenance of the Garden. Everyday
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was a learning experience,the next day more rewarding than the last. As a practitioner of
weaving, carving as well as traditional agriculture, and my wife a practitioner of kapa making,
the wealth of this garden to us was and is incomparable.
The Garden, which has now been reopened to the public, is an asset to the entire community of
Kona, as well as to the larger island wide community.To imagine the Garden becoming
anything else than what it was when I first visited, would be a great loss to our community and
the legacy of agricultural practices and knowledge here in Kona.
The project areas that the Friends are proposing will support the Garden to thrive through
preservation, protection, and maintenance of invaluable plants and trees set amongst historic
archaeological remains.The restoration of the historic building that was Amy Greenwell's
original home will create new space for children's education, visiting students and scientists,
educational meetings, and cultural activities. Plant mapping will also bring together 30 years of
invaluable records and new plantings will replace those lost or missing or now endangered. I
want to mahalo the Finance Committee for all your support.
Sincerely,
Jesse Kekoa Kaho'onei
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