HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.343 2006-2008 Page 1 of 2
Swallow, Linda
From: Gallagher, Luke [Juke.gallagher@bearingpoint.com)
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 11:24 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Gallagher, 6/18/07 =Resolution 169-07
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
I am writing in support of Resolution 169-07. I traveled to Hawaii for a cultural immersion class in December 2005-
)anuary 2006 with a group of 26 students from the University of Minnesota -Duluth. We stayed at several places
on 3 islands during our trip but there is only one place we bring up every time we students get back together.
Weather we are reuniting as a group, or just a few people getting together for drinks, its never long before we start
talking about our time on the big island and our family in Pahala.
It is no coincidence that my fellow students and I identify our experiences in Pahala as the culmination of our entire
trip. Our professor, Mike, brings 2 classes to the islands every year. Every year a similar reaction is formed by the
specific class' unique experience in Pahala. The experiences we shared would not be possible without the life style
that we witnessed on a day-to-day basis while staying in Pahala. This life style will certainly be destroyed if the
development around Punalu'u is allowed to proceed.
My experiences in Pahala were far different than the stereotypical Hawaiian paradise vacation experience. What
made my experience different are the people who I visited and their ability to show me the way they live without
assimilating to the tourist-trap culture that has become the focus of life for so many people living on the islands.
My classmates and I were able to participate in some activities such as wild pig hunting or sitting on a black sand
beach with nobody around except the friends I went to the beach with. Both of these activities are not possible in a
densely populated region.
What was even more important than the above experiences was the time we spent with the families. We were able
to sit around a fire and listen to guitar and talk about how they have been able to live their lives and survive while
withholding their traditional native Hawaiian values. We learned about the values of the traditional hunter and
gatherer that are quickly becoming extinct. The rural parts of the big island are one of the only places this way of
life can be practiced. The way of life for the small community in Pahala is at risk of losing the ability to live their
lives according to the traditional values that have been practiced for generations. The proposed construction
around Punalu'u would make the traditional way of life for the citizens of Pahala impossible. The increase of
property costs and higher tax burdens would not allow for most of the families to stay in Pahala. The jobs created
would likely be short-term construction type jobs and would not offset the increase in cost of living. This situation
has happened in many small towns through Hawaii. Once the land is changed, there is no way to go back and the
damage is irreparable. This is evident is Kona, as the jobs created were filled in majority by migrant workers
leaving the local population without work. Once the resorts were built, the migrant work left, and the local
population was forced to change their way of life, or move away. It is impossible to live your life following the
traditional Hawaiian hunter and gatherer in an area where the economy is driven by tourism and the money that
goes with it. Along with the loss of way of life, the values of strong family bonds and generosity towards fellow
people are lost when the families are forced to adapt to the new way of life or move somewhere that they can
afford.
The construction around Punalu'u may destroy one of the last places for these families to continue to live in the
ways of their ancestors. There are very few places left where this way of life can be practiced. Once Pahala is lost,
no further groups from the University will be able to benefit from learning the ways of the Hawaiian people. No
students will be able to have the unforgettable experiences that the students before and after me have had the
great fortune to experience. These experiences will also be lost from any other fortunate person that might happen
across Pahala in their life time. But worst of all; the families that live and thrive in Pahala today will no longer be
able to live the way they have lived for generations.
Can.m tro?~,~ 5F
Ref. Ta 1'rM~de - FG
6/18/2007 Ref. Dcta JUN 20~
Page 2 of 2
Sincerely,
Luke P Gallagher
Senior Management Analyst, Consulting -State and Local Government
BearingPOint
Management & Technology Consultants
T + 1 619 849 8061
F + 1 619 321 1085
www. bearingpoint.com
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6/18/2007