HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0609.067 2022-2024 P/Counci
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c0UHI'I` lit ii CAM C,OQ
C OUN TY OF h 1 POBox 1133, Hilo, HI 96720
mahainc2020@gmail.com
711 *I 22 ?,"i 9: 4' www.malamakaainahanakaaina.com
Hawaii County Council Meeting. 1/19/2023
Opposition to Bill 107
Aloha mai kakou,
Mahalo County Council Members for your time and consideration.
M.A.H.A is the democratically elected governing body representing the Native Hawaiian beneficiary
on the wait-list residing and stewarding the lands of King's Landing, Keaukaha Tract II, Hawaiian
Homestead Lands.
An alternate route for our Puna `ohana is important, and as a community, MAHA supports the study of
alternate routes to alleviate traffic for our community and in support of Emergency situations, however
limiting our future solution opportunities to one particular region, the makai side of the highway, is
neglectful on the part of this current project and bill as it is currently written.
A makai route directly impacts multiple Hawaiian Homestead lands and beneficiaries.
After over 40 years of relationship building with the Department of Hawaiian Homelands and
successful rehabilitation on the `aina, the MAHA community has had the opportunity to participate and
lead the land settlement process for Keaukaha Track II. This historic opportunity is a result of the
commitment of our KOpunas William Kulakaua Pakani and Kelii William loane Jr. who against the
norm held steadfast to their lineal responsibility to Aloha `Aina.
The beneficiaries of the MAHA community have reestablished the traditional kauhale style of
community support and subsistence living. Kuleana Subsistence Agricultural Homesteading best
aligns with the founding principles of the MAHA community and supports the economic abilities of
each member to construct their individual homes.
The natural beauty of the landscape of King's Landing protects the heart of the MAHA community and
encourages the naturally budding reciprocal relationships between Kanaka and `aina, something that
MAHA members could not identify with in the more mainstream Homesteading example.
A possible main road through the King's Landing area would negatively impact the quality of life for
our residents.
The Native Hawaiian community has historically carried all the responsibilities of the larger
community in addition to the multigenerational trauma of land loss, displacement and spiritual
severance to who we are as a people. If the road study continues as it is currently written it would
continue this pattern of gentrification upon the Native Hawaiian communities of Keaukaha. O f.�1
Comm. No 7
Ref. To: ) 11111111
Ref. Dote AAN 2 4 2024
Surrounding the East Hawaii Homesteads of Panaewa, Keaukaha and Kings Landing
are the Waste Treatment Facility, the rubbish dump, the Hilo airport, the Port of Hilo, The
electric facility, the unwanted tourist attractions, and now this alternate route study will
ask us, the Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, once again, to hapai the needs of the entire
East Hawaii.
In closing, MAHA, the community is in support of a study to suggest alternate routes for our Puna
`ohanas. We would like the County to remove the restriction of a makai only study and broaden the
scope of work to include also a mauka of the highway solution, to ensure that the Native Hawaiian
beneficiaries are not asked again to jeopardize their homesteading.
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Ka `ohana Malama Ka `aina Hana Ka `aina
44;1424.164eL c4a MAHA President