HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0097.016 2024-2026P IG005Ac
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From: Bodhitara Searles
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2025 1:31 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Written testimony for Laura Acasio for February 4,2025
APPOINTMENT OF LAURA ACASIO AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, CLIMATE, EQUITY, AND
RESILIENCE From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated January 8, 2025, requesting the Council' s review and confirmation.
Requires Council
Confirmation by: March 8, 2025 ( Section 2- 271, Hawai'i County
To whom it may concern,
I have had the honor of personally knowing Laura Acasio since 2005 as a friend, neighbor, collaborator and Auntie who
was present at her second son's Kumele Tiagonco's birth. The reason why I say it is an honor is that Laura Acasio is a very
special person who embodies qualities that exemplify an integration of wisdom, kindness, integrity, inspiration, courage,
vision and strength.
I first met Laura in 2005 through an inspired vision for a school garden project at the Boys and Girls Club in Hilo on Haili
Street next to the Veteran's Cemetery. Laura, from her kitchen had looked out into her yard and the adjacent empty
space at Boys and Girls Club and kept on seeing a garden. I met her through a beloved friend and Education Professor
Manulani Aluli Meyer. Manu suggested to me, like a whisper from a future seeing, " if you want to start a garden... go talk
to Laura". So our friendship began there. Laura, already deep into sustainability concerns within her own home with
impeccable organization of kitchen with compost, recyclables, and trash had a connection with the founders of MA'O
farms on Oahu... Gary and Kukui Mauna Kea -Forth who were running an organic farming program through the Food
Project in Boston. On Laura's suggestion I wrote a grant to the People's Fund,visited MA'O farms, went to Boston and
came home with a plan to start Kaiao Community Garden in the lot adjacent to Laura's home.
From the very inspiration to it's full implementation Laura was a beacon of support with hands on digging, food for keiki
and adult programs, educating her own children at the garden and bringing a grounded, buoyant, integrity driven
participation. Her presence was always deeply enjoyed as "she was walking her talk".
I know her family and they all radiate an attitude of aloha and kuleana for their ohana and community.
Kaiao garden hosted scores of events including public schools, rotary clubs, prison programs, summer camp, hula, art
and writing initiatives from its inception in 2005 to 2010.
The entire time Laura and family were seamlessly involved. This meant from preparation to harvest, to clean up she was
always there available to help in any way possible.
When i heard she was being considered for appointment of this position Administrator of the Office of Sustainability,
Climate, Equity and Resilience, my heart soared. She is perfect for this kuleana as she lives these values thoroughly. She
is inspired by kindness, intelligence, equity for all, love of the aina and a deep enduring love of Hawai'i. We will all
benefit greatly under Laura's care.
This is why I am deeply honored to support Laura's for this position.
With aloha,
Bodhitara Diane Searles MEd. LMT
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