HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0459.077 2024-2026Executive Board
SUBJECT: STRONGLY SUPPORT
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Lisa Lehua Kaulukukui
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To: County Legislative Approval & Acquisition Committee (Lw�) r �'
President
From: Lehua Kaulukukul �? �--
Date: August 24, 2025
Kalil Bond
Re: RESOLUTION NO: 286-25 — nT
Vice President
Clarence Kallmahana
Testimony in Strong Support of HI County Acquisition
Young
Secretary
Re: Parcels 1-4-003:020 & 1-4-003:019 (Honolulu Ahupua'a, Puna,
Hawail)
James "Klmo Sanborn
Interim Treasurer
Aloha Chair and Committee Members,
My name is Lehua Kaulukukui and I am the President of the Keli'ipio-
Directors
Kuamo'o Foundation, Inc. a non-profit 501(C)(3), whose Mission is to
Erin Henderson-Lacerdo
practice, promote, and perpetuate the traditional Hawaii lifestyles
James Kaulukukul,Jr.
through education and stewardship of'aina. I submit this testimony in
strong support of the County's acquisition of parcels 1-4-003:020 and
Stephanie McVhty
1-4-003:019 under the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural
Michelle Kelllplo l-ee
Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) program. These parcels
comprise the entire ahupua'a of Honolulu in Puna, a wahi pana of deep
Kupuna Advisors
cultural, historical, and ecological importance.
Llllnoe KeIl1ploYoung
I am a lineal descendant of Honolulu, as our'ohana has already
M. Kau1 KeIrlpio
documented through official birth certificates submitted to the Mayor's
office. My TQtQ, Mary Kau'! Kuamo'o Keliipio, was born in Honolulu in
Michael Warsh
1880 and raised there as a child. Although she eventually moved to Hilo,
Anthony Kelllpio
Honolulu remained her cherished'aina hanau. She returned often with
Sue Wilcox KeIrlplo
our'ohana to fish, camp, and be nourished by the land and sea of her
Comm. *SEP
Ref. To:2U25
Ref. Da
birthplace. These memories and practices continue to guide our'ohana
today.
Within the mauka parcel exists an extensive traditional village complex
with house sites, agricultural features, and kopuna burials. The makai
parcel provides shoreline access vital to subsistence fishing, sustaining
generations of Puna families, including ours. To us, this is not just land —
it is the living foundation of our genealogy, identity, and our kuleana.
It is also important to note that these very parcels were approved for
PONC purchase in 2007. Despite that approval, negotiations were never
carried out. Nearly twenty years later, the need for protection Is urgent
as Honolulu'ahupua'a recently went on the market. Further delay places
this sacred'aina and its irreplaceable resources at greater risk.
Preserving these lands aligns with the PONC program's mission to
protect HawaiTs unique cultural and natural resources. Beyond the
physical protection of significant sites, the acquisition would also foster
opportunities for education, cultural practices, and a deeper connection
to the history of the special and unique wahi papa.
I respectfully urge Mayor Alameda, the Commission, the Council, and
this Committee to honor that 2007 commitment and move forward with
the acquisition of the Honolulu ahupua'a. This action will ensure that the
land is preserved, protected, and cared for in perpetuity —for the benefit
of Hawaii Island, our lahui, and future generations.
Mahalo nui for your attention and for considering this critical matter.
Should you require further information or personal testimony, please
feel free to contact me at kananilehua@kuamoofoundation.org
Me ke aloha,
Lehua Kaulukukui,
President
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