HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0174.002 2024-20261��
From: Auntie 3hoyuHeu
Sent: Wednesday, March 19,20255:58AK4
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Resolution 100-25 ---`�
ALoho'
My name iaTupouvoiongo KuUha'apai and | have gratefully been the recipient ofcommunity ortthenapy
at TempLe Children under the direction of the artist Ishtar, who recently traveRed to Moku o Keawe to
conduct the art therapy sessions.
Aoasurvivor ofdomestic vioignue'and aaonartist myself, ithas helped rnetorealize the impact that
survivng has had on me as a person. Though tikely unintended by Ishtar, the art therapy sessions have
forced nnetoface the reality ofabuse that has continued inorder tostart truly heating the aspect ofrny
personal self-determination through meditation and grasping of a vision for the future. I cannot say that it
has been easy, as art is already my safe space, but it has been relieving in ways that I haven't felt
"aLlowed" to heat due to the seemingly hopetess tow standards within the justice system here in Hawai'i.
We have seen, especially in the past week, the deaths and harm of community family members,
childhood victims, perpetrators, and police officers - whether through gunvioieOCe, Degi8Ct' physical
abuse, etc. ALL a testament to the tack of support for inclividuaLs from att walks of life. In Hawaii, it is hard
to come by fotks who haven't been victims and/or perpetrators of Domestic Viotence, Systemic Racial.
ELitism, Demographic Profiling, Poor Economic and Social Circumstances and Potiticat Tensity.
We need safe spaces, Like art therapy, where our visions can be nurtured and where shame is not the
starting point.
Mahato for receiving my testimony,
it
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