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Home My WebLink About*Res. 632-26 Supports RE: Resolution 632-26 Aloha Committee Members, I’m writing to strongly encourage you to pass the Resolution 632-26 because Waiakahi ʻ ula is a special place that really needs protection. This coastline has important cultural sites, native ecosystems, and a long history of ﬁshing and gathering. But lately it’s been getting damaged by unmanaged access, invasive species, and development pressure. Last year, heavy machinery went into the burial and agricultural complex and disturbed the area, even though the Burial Treatment Plan said that shouldn’t happen. Seeing burial sites and cultural places harmed like that showed how vulnerable this land is. Protecting Waiakahi ʻ ula would keep the ﬁshing village, burial grounds, and this spiritually important area safe. It would also help take care of the shoreline and marine resources that local families rely on. And with proper management, people could still access the area for education, recreation, cultural practices, and community use. The landowners are willing to sell, but one is already considering a vacation rental if the property isn’t bought soon. With development proposals popping up, we’re running out of time to protect this place. I’m asking for your support to make sure Waiakahi ʻ ula is cared for and preserved for future generations. Mahalo, Greg and Linda Arcibal Testimony for the Legislative Approvals and Acquisition Committee for the August 18 meeting on RESOLUTION 632-26. Dear Committee Members, I strongly urge you to pass resolution 632-26 protecting two critical areas in the Waiakahi’ula Village area (alongside subdivisions Hawaiian Beaches and Hawaiian Shores in Pahoa). Kawika Young and I submitted the original proposal to PONC for the ocean access properties. At that time, the most critical lot to get control over, that is used the most by the public for ocean access, was on the market for sale. The owner has withdrawn it from the open market but he is ready to consider an o?er from the County. He recognizes the importance of public access for the community. He is willing to support that e?ort by selling at a market price. If he does not sell it to the County he intends to build on it, which would be very unfortunate for the community. The properties in the ocean access proposal are used all day long by people coming to enjoy the ocean by just stopping by, bringing their chairs and sitting by the ocean or ﬁshing. Tourists come to photograph it from the site or from the road above it. People in our area have relatively little ocean access and these properties will be very reasonable to acquire. People in the neighborhood already keep trash picked up. Toilets are available close by at the Waiaki’ula park. Adding the additional lots will provide for parking and keeping the site open for people to enjoy viewing from the road. I also attach to this email testimony from the community submitted with the original proposal. Turning to the burial site – this is a wonderful archeological treasure that absolutely should be preserved. Happily, it is also directly alongside of the Waiakahi’ula Park which has other archeological sites. Together with the sites that have recently come under PONC ownership at Honolulu Landing the County is leaving a legacy for future generations to appreciate the history and lives of the original Hawaiian people living in the Puna coastal area. Tsuneda, Kaci From:Brittany V <helloosunshinehawaii@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, August 17, 2026 12:19 PM To:Council Testimony Subject:RE: Support for Resolution 632-26 AUGUST 17, 2026 Hawai ʻ i County Council County of Hawai ʻ i Aloha e Chair and Members of the Hawai ʻ i County Council, I am writing in strong support of Resolution 632-26, which would authorize negotiations for the acquisition or protection of the Waiakahi ʻ ula Village Ocean Access parcels and the Waiakahi ʻ ula Burial Site 19014 and Agricultural Complex Site 19013 parcels. These lands are important for protecting public shoreline access, traditional fishing and gathering practices, cultural resources, ancestral burial sites, and the larger cultural landscape of Waiakahi ʻ ula. Resolution 632-26 would also help protect these areas from further incompatible development and disturbance. I respectfully urge the Hawai ʻ i County Council to approve Resolution 632-26 and support the long-term protection and stewardship of these important lands. Mahalo for your consideration. Me ka mahalo, Brittany Valone, Puna resident 8087856849 Helloosunshinehawaii@gmail.com 1