HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0460.022 2022-2024P / Gound(
945, 263-23
COMt✓t
40
From: Kuulani Muise =`+
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 7:31 AM cm c yrs;
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Pepeekeo PONC Purchase —
Ke aloha o ka `aina is kakou. CIO}
I am writing in regards to a PONC application for.TMK 328008100 in Pepe'ekeo, Hawai1i with
my support and encouragement that it be purchased and preserved through PONC.
My name is Ku`ulani Muise. Along with my 'ohana, I have lived in Kahua, just a half mile from
this parcel for over a decade. I am a cultural practitioner and my background includes
archaeology as well as expansive archival research for the Hilopaliku region. I also served as
a cultural adviser to our Fishermans Association in Pepeekeo for several years.
I have sent in written testimony regarding this particular parcel in. the past, but wanted to
reassert, to reaffirm, the importance of this `aina, how precious it is to us, how storied and
how urgent the need for its protection.
This parcel stretches from Lonoka'eho stream at its north extremity all the way to
Waima'au'au stream to the south and holds rich soil and ocean resources, as well as cultural
resources. It is among the last remnants of undeveloped shoreline in our district.
In terms of lawai'a practice, the Lonoka'eho access point is an important one for our fishing
community. This `aina includes the entire shoreline and ocean access for the ili of Pepe'ekeo. Our
hoa%na, Blake McNoughton, has done an amazing job chronologizing the eroding shoreline
access over the past few years. Public access easements are already there, but in the 20 years since
those were made less than 30% of them are open and traverseble.
Traversable and safe shorelines are integral to lawai'a practice.
We absolutely feel a sense of urgency a`s we watch access to this entire shoreline erode before our
eyes and can not stress enough the importance of preserving these 'aina as open spaces, as spaces
that continue to teach us and bring us together, as spaces that allow for the continuity of our rich
history to move forward for our hanauna .hou.
Mahalo nui for your time and consideration.
Me ke aloha `aina,
Ku'ulani Muise
Comm.• 1 L -
Ref. To:
Ref. Date ��T 1