HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0559.011 2022-2024p / GCEAC
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HAWAI I ISLAND GROUP
To: County of Hawaii Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee
From: Sierra Club, Hawaii Island Group
Re: Support for Resolution 330-23
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of the Sierra Club, Hawaii Island Group. My
name is Deborah Ward and I am authorized to speak for the Club on this matter.
We are in strong support of the Resolution 330-23. It identifies the cultural and natural resource
values of the wahi pana of Kumukahi, and offers the county a viable, manageable opportur* to
protect the resources while also protecting the County of Hawaii from rescue expense and , ;
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dangerous conditions for first responders.
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Kumukahi has historic cultural significance for Hawaiian families in the area, and for the island
communities, as the place where the sun's rays first meet the islands —and as a traditional,
place of healing. Numerous burials, ahu, walls and heiau in the area attest to the cultural
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importance of the site, all held in private hands.
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Protection of these valuable places be of utmost priority in the process of establishing pone
access protocols going into the future.
Resolution 330-23 aligns with FEMAs serious consideration of analysis that Kumukahi qualifies
as a Historic District eligible for nomination on the National Register. This resolution identifies
the unique opportunity to honor requests from Native Hawaiian Organizations, recognized lineal
descendants, and the County administration's own commitment to ensure that "appropriate
management measures are in place." Finally, this resolution also sets in motion key funding
mechanisms for both development of a comprehensive preservation/management plan, and,
crucially, its implementation.
For this reason, we hope that the County will re -order the FEMA road and water line
implementation phases in order to protect and manage future access to this area.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
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