HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0559.017 2022-2024Aloha council members.
Mahalo for taking the time to listen to us today.
Myname is MakoaHaitas and ilike other community members here today, come before you to
testify in support of this Kumukahi Management Resolution 330-23.
Along with being the place to first be touched by the sun, Kumukahiis of great importance to
Hawaiians. Another feature that marks Kunnuhahi as significant for kanoha is that it is
recognized as a "leina a ka 'uhane. Leina are special places throughout Hawai'i where spirits
would migrate through, on their way to the afterlife.
While heinoserve as critical functions and epicenters in Hawaiian spirituality, they often are
overlooked or mischaracterized by prevailing western notions of land use. Whereas today,
burials, cemeteries - and the like, are viewed within property lines and historic site numbers, it is
important vveoontextua|izetheir presence inthis particular space.
KunnuhuhiGsavv@hipanG,oaawhole, iswhat hSinneed 0f protecting,not just this spot orthat
spot. Our collective responsibility is to the greater impact of the whole, not just some hundreds
of feet.
The place itself and its connection to our spiritual world is what gives meaning to the people and
practices present in Kumukahi - and I feel that is what this Reso begins to recognize.
I would like to bring to the council's attention the county zoning of the Kumukahi portion in
question. apeoUNoa|k/ its status ao o Division #18 Open District or0 district.
Asstipulated inChapter 25OfHawaii County Code, titled '�Znning", 825-5-1OU:Purpose and
applicability of Open Dietrictn, it mentions 4 identifiable objectives of Open Districts. 2 of which |
wanted tVbring toour attention today.
the first was, the objective [oencourage and protect investments made (or tobemade) in
reliance upon the retention of such open type use,
When looking adinvestment in Kunnukahi. | see the lineal descendants and practitioners, with
20+ years of investment - in protecting and caring for Kumukahi by all means necessary. I also
see investment from the broader community in that area, supporting these descendants. | urge
the council to question how they will choose to invest in Kumukahi themselves.
The second objective ofopen districts ieTnbuffer anotherwise incompatible land -use ordistrict
that preserves scenic vista or areas of special historical importance.
|urge the council toquestion ifopening the road without ocomprehensive management plan
vvorhu to buffer incompatible land use - given this historically and contemporarily significant
space. The opening of any county road whether a mile, or some hundreds of feet, will certainly
attract pedestrian traffic. To reconstruct the Kumukahi Lighthouse Road without a
comprehensive management plan in place, is not creating a buffer for these culturally and
Comm. No.
spiritually sensitive spaces, as outlined in §25-5-160 - and rather could be opening them up for
unrestricted public consumption.
Lastly I wanted to highlight one more section, Section 25-5-162 titled "Permitted uses." and this
section outlines 19 permissible uses within Open Districts. I wanted to make note that with the
passage of this resolution -and respective development of a management plan- it could support
at least 12 of these uses.
The Protection of:
Aquaculture activity
Cemeteries
Possible Community Infrastructure
Existing temples
Reforestation
Growing of plants
Historical areas
Natural features/phenomena
and more.
I feel a resolution such as this exemplifies intention by the council. And those intentions, I hope,
are beyond just compliance but rather are proactive management efforts that are stakeholder
driven - and set a responsible precedent for Open District and other zoned lands going through
similar situations.
mm
I strongly urge the council to think intentionally and holistically in decisions regarding Kumukahi.
I urge the council to see this as an opportunity to work with the community in developing
comprehensive stewardship, and lastly I urge the council to see this as an opportunity to
support lineal descendants in their development of a preservation plan.
Mahalo for your time and this opportunity to testify.
Me ke aloha 'aina, Makoa Freitas