HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.171 2006-2008
LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON ESTABLISHING COUNTY PARK
AT PUNALU'U
COMMENTS BY JIM SPIELMAN 929-8334
JUNE 4TH 2007
I.I believe that the correct decision on Resolution 169-07 is to support it and establish the
County Park at Punalu'u. Move us off the dime...Then the community can come together
and form a work crew,a committee drawn from the entire community, who will work to
clean up and restore the pazk as well as to assist in maintaining the park.
Ka'u Preservation is a non profit organization that would be willing to chair the
maintenance group However, it would need to be drawn from the entire community and
not only Ka'u Preservation.
We aze already in possession of a volunteer worker list that is made up of people from the
community who are not members of Ka'u Preservation and a few who aze members. We
have not yet canvassed ow own members to be on such a work force.
As you can see from the list there aze already 87 people who have volunteered to Malama
Punalu'u. In addition,we have gained the commitment of two professions to oversee the
work of cleanup and restoration at Punalu'u;
Dr. Jason Turner,doctor of marine science at the university of Hawaii. He has worked at
Punalu'u for a number of years and his assistance will be invaluable on issues of the
coastline and the endangered species.
We also have a commitment from Dr. Luciano Minerbi, doctor of azcheology at the
University of Hawali.He is also a specialist in the field of urban and regional planning.
In addition, appzoval of this resolution will free up other monies which include, but aze
not limited to, 3 million dollazs from the federal govenunent via the work of
Congreewoman Mazie Hirono.
2. This NOT just a beach.This is a lifegiving place.We, Hawaiians and all others go there
to be RENEWED, REFRESHED,and REENERGIZED. Much like an infant sucking
from it's mothers breasts. This is a spiritual place indeed. There is a reason why there are
three heiau look down on the beach and the bay and why there are multiple burial sites
throughout the ahupua'a.
Families have come here for centuries to celebrate: births,baptisms,graduations and
marriages,funerals and family reunions. They have also come here to listen to their own
inner voice to solve problems or make decisions. Families come here to be embraced by
their gods.
3.Approval of this resolution will NOT inflate our property values and make us rich in
money;but it will make us rich in the knowledge that we have heazd the words of Dennis
Pavao and acted on them.He calls us, all of us, whether Hawaiian or not, to STAND
TOGETHER TO SAVE OUR SACRED LANDS and in the process all our endangered
species of plants and animals,the Hawaiian culture and tradition and for all of us...a way
of life.
This is a legacy moment for all of us, residents and council members as well; We can all
rest assured that our children and our children's children will forever be grateful for our
foresight and dedication to preserve Punalu'u and the coast of Ka'u.
We will know that we have been BLESSED,GRACED`and GIFTED to do so.
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