HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.065 2024-2026From: Rabayah t-,
Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2025 10:59 AM oC-)
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To: Council Testimony ?E
Subject: Pohakuloa Support resolution 234-25 — -<?
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Aloha,
My name is Rabayah Akhter, I'm a special education teacher at Kealekehe elementary school&Korj::
I'm appalled at the idea that the county would even think to release the land to the US military-f ask -what
- even one - positive thing has this relationship done for the people of this island? But I can tell you the
numerous negative effects. Right after I moved here to become a teacher in 2022 (to sere one of the
lowest performing schools in the country with an unacceptable teacher shortage), I witnessed the fires
that I had no idea were CAUSED by the military on my way to Hilo for the first time on Saddle Road. It was
awful to see that much land burned up. My colleagues, teaching program, school staff, community and
children taught me from day 1 how to respect the land which is what makes this island feel the way it
does; it feeds the people here. And the military has done nothing but destroy it chemically, physically,
spiritually, and in every other way I can think of.
The people here deserve BETTER. Not WORSE. The military has shown no respect for the environment OR
the people. People don't want the military here. That should be the end of the discussion. Anything else
means you are disregarding the humanity of the people and animals and living things here. The military
has done nothing good to deserve its lawlessness here.
If the military used their power to rebuild our SCHOOLS (which are making children physically ILL
because of poisonous decaying building materials) maybe that would show their so called commitment
to the Hawaiian people. Where is THAT discussion? What value is being exchanged in this relationship?
Asa taxpayer and an underpaid public servant, I am demanding you use the power you have of our tax
money and think about how we can make this island better for people from here, not cave to pressure of
oppressive systems like the military. It's time to stop this caving for them. We don't owe the military
anything. They owe us more.
The end.
Rabayah Akhter
Comm. o v J
Ref. To:
Ref. Date AUG 1 9 2025
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