HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0126.008 2022-2024 P/Council
Res.641-9-5
COMM. 1�6
From: E Kiyoko Nanni
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2023 5:30 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject:Written Testimony for CRF Res 64-23: Requesting$5000 towards the educational-related costs forge .
monument
Aloha, members of our Hawai'i County Council,
My name is Eileen Kiyoko Nanni, and I am a supporter of Pulama Ia Kona Herita ===
Council located in Holualoa, Hi. ==r
I am testifying in support of receiving funding for our educational-related costs foPthe-
monument.
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 Pulama Id Kona
Heritage Council a grant. Additional funds are needed. We
appreciate your time, consideration, and support of our funding
request to help shape a more thoughtful narrative within our
community and the future generations.
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 3o 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 and into future generations, do not
even know it exists or the weight of its symbolism. It sits with corroded metal
about to burst and break apart the concrete monument even further. It is in the
active process of being restored now, and we could use more financial support.
You can visit the website to see the monument's progress online here.
Mahalo nui boa for your time and thoughtful consideration,
Eileen Kiyoko Nanni,
Born and Raised in Holualoa Village Comm. N `fib
Ref. To: Q MAMl,
Ref. Date MAR — 8 2023
Eloy, AZ
85131
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