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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0126.007 2022-2024 P/CounI COMO. 12� From: Motter Snell Sent: Monday, March 06, 2023 9:42 AM To: Maki Morinoue Cc: Council Testimony Subject: Re: CRF Res 43-23 : Requesting $5000 towards the educational-related costs for the monument ti The correct number 64-23 Sent from my Phone ..,» On Mar 6, 2023, at 11:29 AM, Maki Morinoue wrote: -> Aloha, members of our Hawai'i County Council, My name is Maki Morinoue, and I am the Vice President of Pulama Ia Kona Heritage Council located in Holualoa, Hi. We are a 501 c 3 that has been in service to the community for over 27 years preserving and protecting the unique qualities of historic Kona. I am testifying in support of receiving funding for our educational-related costs for the monument. One of our current preservation projects is restoring the 1925 '88 Temples Pilgrimage Monument, built by members of the Kona Koyasan Mission located just south of Holualoa Village on Mamalahoa Highway. The 12-foot tall marker is made of concert, rock, and metal with Japanese inscriptions. Members of the Kona Koyasan Mission built it. It is the only object remaining from one of many missions and objects created by the Japanese immigrants during the twenty years from 1910-1930 along the Mamalahoa Highway. • Why are we preserving this landmark monument? On February 19th, 1942, Executive Order 9066 was issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The United States viewed anyone of Japanese ancestry as an enemy, and it became a crime to speak Japanese, be Japanese, gather as a community, and have any cultural practices. Over 30 monuments that used to be present along Mamalahoa Hwy from South to North Kona were destroyed by the U.S. Military with Executive Order 9066. For some reason, this monument remains standing along Mamalahoa Hwy, and many of the next generations do not even know it exists or the weight of its symbolism. It sits with corroded metal about to burst and break the concrete further. It is in the active process of being restored now, and we could use more financial support. Pulama requests $5,000 to fund the project's educational portion, including its nomination to the Hawaii Register of Historic Places and interpretive signage'at the monument. Historic Hawaii supports this project and has awarded us a grant. 1 Comm.No. n1b'l Ref.To: P ► Ref.Date ik"AR — 7i173 Additional funds are needed. We appreciate your time, consideration, and support of our funding request to help shape a more thoughtful narrative in our community and future generations. You can visit our website to see our monument progress online here. Mahalo nui loa for your time and thoughtful consideration, Maki Morinoue Holualoa 96725 Maki Morinoue Share your ALOHA "Aloha Spirit" is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, "Aloha," 2