HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.629 2024-2026From: Joni Perreira
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2025 2:21 AM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer, Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; �Kanealii-
Kleinfelder, Matt; Hustace, James; Galimba, Michelle M.; Villegas, Rebeceaaglnal)C6.
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Subject: Strong Support of Resolution 234-25 G'
Aloha Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Council Members, T
My name is Joni. I am 14 years old, a Kanaka Maoli, and I grew up learning the heartbreaking history of my,'12�oplQ , Now
living in Puna on Hawai'i Island, I see that history continuing on our'aina, and I am scared for the future of my kupuna,
my land, and my nieces and nephews. Even before I moved here, I was learning about my culture and history, about the
heartbreaking truth of what has been done to my people and our lands. Growing up is scary when I think about what the
future holds here in Hawaii. I worry about how my nieces and nephews — and all the children of this island — will be
able to live safely on our'aina if the state does not protect it. I want to grow up knowing that our lands, our water, and
our health will be cared for, and that future generations of Kanaka Maoli can stay and thrive here.
My family has struggled to stay here in Hawaii because the state has not made Kanaka Maoli its priority. It is so sad to
see. I sit here crying as I think about all my ancestors who once took care of this land, our sacred land. Not only do my
kupuna deserve respect, but our'aina does too. We are nothing without our'aina. Our land is who we are — it is our
history, our culture, and our future. When the'aina is harmed, all of us are harmed. For generations, we have cleaned up
the damage outsiders have caused to our %ina, again and again.
And now, at Pohakuloa, the same story continues. Contaminated lands, radiation, unexploded bombs, sacred lands
destroyed, my kupuna disrupted. I have young nieces and nephews growing up here, and I worry about what this means
for their health, their future, and the'aina they will inherit. This is not just about me, it affects every'ohana on this
island, every person who depends on clean land, air, and water.
The military has been using Pohakuloa for live -fire training since 1942, and the land was formally leased from the state in
1964. For over sixty years, the military has treated Pohakuloa like a place they can just destroy. Bombs, fires, radiation —
it's heartbreaking. My people's sacred lands have been damaged again and again, and still we are the ones who have to
live with the consequences. Endangered species have lost their homes, and the'aina has been poisoned.
As a young Kanaka Maoli, I cannot just sit and watch this happen. I think about how my kupuna protected these lands,
how much they sacrificed, and then I look at what is happening now. It feels like history is repeating — outsiders causing
harm, and our people left to clean up after them. The courts already said the State failed to take care of Pohakuloa. Even
their own reports admit there are bombs and contamination that put our water, our health, and our future at risk. And
still, they continue. How is that okay?
This is why I strongly support Resolution 234-25, urging the State of Hawai'i to protect the health and safety of Hawai'i
Island residents by ceasing all live -fire exercises at Pohakuloa Training Area until a full Archaeological Inventory Survey
and Ka Pa'akai analysis are completed, and by rejecting any lease renewals or land swaps with the military.
The Hawaii State Constitution is clear: these public trust lands must be held for the benefit of Native Hawaiians and the
general public, not for military destruction. Article XII, Section 7 further mandates protection of Native Hawaiian cultural
and religious practices. Continuing live -fire exercises in violation of these constitutional protections is unacceptable.
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Before any discussion of lease renewal or land swaps, the military must first finance and complete a comprehensive
cleanup, restoration, and bioremediation plan to heal the lands it has degraded.
Approving Resolution 234-25 sends a powerful message that Hawaii County stands with its people, families,
communities, cultural practitioners, and environmental stewards who have long raised concerns about Pohakuloa's
short- and long-term impacts.
Please choose to protect our'aina and the future for young Kanaka like me, my nieces and nephews, and the generations
to come.
Mahalo for considering my testimony,
Joni
Puna, Hawai'i Island
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