HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0459.057 2024-2026From: Noah Gomes
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2025 6:09 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony for Resolution No. 286-25
Aloha Honorable Chair and LAAC Committee,
1 am submitting my support for the County's acquisition of parcels (3) 1-4-003:020 and (3) 1-4-003:019
through the PONC program or LAAC/Mayoral Approval.
Honolulu ahupua`a, while small, does have notable historical and cultural significance, most famously
the story of the chief Ke'alohilani.
My understanding is that there are also archaeological sites still located in this ahupua'a from an old
Hawaiian village. After the 2018 lava flows destruction of several large and important archaeological
landscapes in lower Puna, the value and importance of this area has grown. Relatively few examples of
these types of intact landscapes persist in this district.
Additionally, there is a growing need to preserve open space in Puna as the population continues to grow
and is projected to boom in coming decades. It will become increasingly difficult to preserve places like
Honolulu, and there will be no more opportune time than now.
I realize that there are many other needs in our community to preserve historic sites that are just as
worthy or even more worthy than this one, but I suspect this may be our only opportunity to safeguard
these parcels before development reaches them. o c)
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Thankyouforyourconsideration, c ?a
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Noah Gomes
Waiakea, Hilo
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Ref. To: _ 2 Q 5
Ref. Date