HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0762.048 2004-2006
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Murashige, Laura
From: Damien Kenison [namamo@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 11:34 AM ( 1
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: testimony from Hookena
Aloha Angel,
This is Damien Kenison Sr. from Hookena Beach submitting my testimony regarding bill 246. I
believe this bill should not only be rejected but serve as a reminder to all kanaka maoli, kama'aina, and
malahini about the wrongs that have been perpetrated upon the indigenous people of the Hawaiian
Islands.
I am acting Vice President for KUPA(Kama'aina United to Protect the `Aina), a 50IC-3 non-profit
Hawaiian community foundation based at Hookena Beach, South Kona, Hawaii. Our mission goal is to
improve the cultural, social, and economic conditions in our rural South Kona district. We are presently
in negotiations with the County Parks Department to assist them in the maintenance of Hookena Beach
through various community activities.
The legal and moral rights of the Hawaiian people have been abused and this has caused irreparable
damage to our culture and our way of living. Land use decisions have been manipulated by those who
occupy positions of power in the government.
to benefit the few wealthy and avaricious people whose influence extends to all aspects of society.
Kanaka Maoli have been the big losers and are in danger of becoming outsiders in their own land.
Eminent Domain, Adverse Possession, Clear Title process, failure to pay taxes, underhanded dealings by
unscrupulous lawyers, real estate agents and legal representatives have all contributed to the demise of a
once proud people and their culture. Displacement from their lands has resulted in kanaka maoli being
unable to practice and pass on traditions that have enabled them to survive for a millennium.
Land use policies have been legally and illegally manipulated to bypass regulations that are required of
developers. Archeological sites and burials have been trampled and buried by bulldozers who are
required to have monitors on site but do not. Lands with no clear title and insufficient permit
requirements are being allowed to be developed through loopholes devised by lawyers and government
officials.
And now these same people, who are employed by the County and State of Hawaii, who are paid with
taxes from Hawaii residents, who are legally bound to work for the benefit of all of the people of
Hawaii, want to make exceptions that will result in the further degradation of the social, economic and
cultural welfare of all the people of Hawaii, especially the kanaka maoli.
It is my firm belief that land use policies in Hawaii are in need of a change and the priorities of the
government officials who monitor, regulate and initiate changes should be reviewed by the people and
appropriate action taken to reverse the negative impact that these issues have and will continue to cause
in the future.
Please deny the passage of bill 246 and begin the healing process that will rejuvenate the people of
Hawaii and reinforce our belief in a legal system that is of the people, works for the people, and is
supported and bound by the Constitution of the United States of America. comm, 1`
Ref. Toe
Ref. Late FIA1
5/1/2006