HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0459.065 2024-2026From: Hu, Di - hudx
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2025 8:40 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: To the County Legislative Approval & Acquisition Committee (LAAC) in support of
Resolution# 286-25
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This is a testimony in Strong Support of HI County Acquisition of Parcels 1-4-003:020 & 1-4-0=019:Dn
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(HonoluluAhupua'a,Puna)
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Aloha Council Chair and LAAC Committee Members, :�R -I_`
"He ali'i ka'aina, he kauwa ke kanaka." F
The land is chief, and we are its servants. —
I submit this testimony in strong support of the County's acquisition of parcels 1-4-003:020 and 1-4-
003:019 through the PONC program OR LAAC/Mayoral Approval. Together, these parcels comprise the
entire ahupua'a of Honolulu in Puna —a wahi pana of profound cultural, historical, and ecological
significance. '
Importantly, these parcels were approved for acquisition by PONC in 2007, yet there was no follow
through on purchase negotiations. Nearly two decades later, this oversight leaves Honolulu vulnerable to
further desecration and Loss. The time to act is now.
0 Cultural & Archaeological Importance: Parcel 140030200000 contains an extensive traditional village
complex with house sites, agricultural features, and numerous burials, offering irreplaceable insight into
the lifeways of our kupuna.
• Ocean Access & Subsistence Practice: Parcel 140030190000 provides critical shoreline access that
continues to sustain subsistence fishing practices for the Puna district.
• Alignment with PONC Mission: This acquisition fulfills PONC's mandate to protect Hawai`i's unique
cultural and natural resources, while also creating opportunities for cultural practice, education, and
community -based stewardship.
I respectfully urge Mayor Alameda, the Council, LAAC, and the PONC Commission to reaffirm and
complete the purchase acquisition that was already approved in 2007. Protecting the ahupua'a of
Honolulu will ensure this wahi pana is preserved and cared for in perpetuity.
Mahalo nui for your dedication and for consideringthis urgent matter. I am available at 7733873471 or
hudx@jmu.edu should you require additional information or personal testimony.
As a personal addendum to the above,) want to note that Hawaii is taking its rightful esteemed place in
global cultural heritage. Most recently, an Apple TV show called Chief of War has highlighted the history
of Kamahameha and the war chief Ka'iana. Notably, Ka'iana was the district chief of Puna. Puna's
cultural heritage and archaeological sites are at grave risk from development, and if this opportunity is
wasted, Honolulu's overlooked importance will forever remain. Once destroyed, archaeological sites
can never be restored and their stories are gone forever. More importantly, the lineal descendants of
Honolulu, the rightful caretakers of this land, would suffer grave moral injury, as this is their ancestral
village and the site of the graves of their ancestors. I believe that by saving Honolulu from development,
the district of Puna will be able to draw pride and community vigor for generations to come
Comm. No AS
Ref. To:
t Ref. Date) S P e 2 4025
Me ka ha'aha'a,
Di Hu, Associate Professor of Anthropology (Archaeology), James Madison University