HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0824.008 2022-2024P / nOEAC
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From: Joy Ohta
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2024 7:48 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony for Donna Kinuko Noborikawa
Donna Kinuko Noborikawa and my family go back to the old Kohala plantation days. She grew up in the city during the
school year and grew up in the country in the summer. She loved exploring the beaches, rivers, and mountains. During
the plantation days, much of the sugar cane lands were open to the people so we had almost free range to explore.
After we all left our homes, we did not see much of each other. When she left her job in Washington to help care for her
parents in Honolulu, she came to Kohala more often. It was a nice surprise to hear that Donna was going to restore and
live in her grandparent's home.
Since moving back to Kohala, we have all gotten reacquainted with each other. She is much the same Donna we
remembered; however, she is far more than the exploring person that we remembered, since coming to Kohala, she
almost immediately looked at ways she could connect more with the community. She is not a stay-at-home person but
rather a "how can I help the community" kind of person. Almost immediately she started volunteering at the Wildlife
Center in Kohala. On one run to the airport, I was surprised to find that one of her volunteer duties was to transport
animal carriers back to Honolulu, she is also a docent at the Lapakahi State Park. Donna put in a lot of time to learn
about the historical significance of Lapakahi and now enjoys educating the public on why we must help to preserve
places like Lapakahi for future generations.
Along with her various community involvement, Donna has spent many hours helping her grandparents' church, the
Kohala Jodo Mission, with ongoing maintenance and fund-raising projects. Whether it is setting up for a rummage sale,
repairing furniture, painting, tree trimming, or weeding, she is always willing to lend a helping hand. It is through
support like hers that helps us continue to preserve the rich history of our temple (established in 1902) and Japanese
Buddhist culture.
Donna has seen the changes in Kohala and wants to be part of the effort to make sure changes are in the best interest of
the community and its culture. Her willingness to volunteer and her varied community involvements shows she has a
range of knowledge and is willing to commit the time to help make a difference.
Donna's love of Kohala, its culture, and its future makes her a positive addition to the Leeward Planning Commission.
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