HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.594 2024-2026From: Danae M
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 8:11 AM
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To: Council Testimony
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Subject: Support Res. 234-25
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Aloha mai ka kou HawaN County Council Members,
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I am a soon to be resident of your island and someone who cares deeply about and practices 4,�ha
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everyday. This way of life is what created all of us. All of our ancestors relied on being good stewards of
the land because farming kept all our ancestors in existence so that we could be here today and so that
you could be the voice of the people who elected you.
Today you have the opportunity to show the community that you respect and understand the importance
of taking care of Hawaiian lands. Your decision will be a call to action, showing understanding of malama
'aina, respect for the land and how it has the power to heal our people --your constituents. Your vote
today will be remembered by the community members you serve. Your vote will recognize that
environmental degradation has already caused irreversible harm. That yars of destructive activity have
led to the burning of nearly 20,000 acres, including critical habitat for native flora and fauna. Your vote
will show this is unacceptable and that ongoing live fire and bombing exercises raise serious concerns
about contamination, safety, and longterm damage to both land and water sources.
Your vote will acknowledge that the State has a Constitutional Obligation to Mslama `Aina. As reaffirmed
by the Hawai'i Supreme Court in Kahaulelio v. DLNR (2019), the State has a proactive duty to preserve
and maintain trust lands. The Court found that the State breached its obligations by failing to reasonably
monitor, enforce, and ensure proper care of the lands at Pohakuloa.
Yourvote will help bring awareness that other Public health and environmental concerns persist. There is
growing concern about the presence and impact of toxic substances, including depleted uranium, in the
soil at Pohakuloa. These contaminants may become airborne and pose serious health risks to island
residents.
Pohakuloa is within a designated conservation district. I ask all of you to acknowledge the fact that
continued military training activities, especially bombing and live fire, are fundamentally incompatible
with conservation and preservation of native species, ecosystems, and cultural resources.They are not
aloha'aina.
Please support this resolution to protect the land, water, and people of Hawaii.
Ma halo for taking action!
danae,j.mar!n(cbgmaR.com
Lahaina, Maui/Keaau, Maui
Comm.
Ref. To:
Ref. Date3 2025