HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.378 2006-2008 Swallow, Linda
From: gref0013@d.umn.edu
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 11:01 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Grefsheim, 6/18/07 = Resolution 169-07
To: Hawaii County Council Members
From: Kirsten Grefsheim
RE: Resolution 169-07
I am writing with very strong support of Resolution 196-07 (Keolalani Hanoa Resolution).
I am a recent graduate of University of Minnesota Duluth and still a resident of
Minnesota. I got the incredible opportunity to experience the beauty of Ka?u and Punalu?u
for a class in May with my college professor, Michael Sunnafrank.
I have traveled a lot in my day and I have truly never been to a place so beautiful in my
life. It is by far my favorite place to come to thus far because of both the local people
as well as the views of nature; which you don?t find very often anymore. Our class
visited three different islands, which the big island and Ka?u was saved for last (which I
now see why). Our time spent in Punalu?u taught me the most I have learned in a long
time; going to the pavilions, listening to incredible music, and learning about net-
fishing just to name a tiny portion. But the part that hit me the hardest was taking in
the culture, traditions, and life style that soon may not be there anymore because of the
development on Punalu?u. You need to take action and put a stop to this.
There are alternative ways that would and could supply much better jobs then the proposed
new development could ever provide. Knowing that so much of what Panalu?u used to be,
will soon be gone, makes my heart sink. Ha~~ing one place in the United States that is
still able to have and share the beauty and lifestyle that is has had for years, is and
should be an honor. No one appreciates nature anymore; It?s all about making money and
taking things away from the native and local people who really deserve it.
The lessons that I learned, the local people that I met, and the stories that I heard,
have honestly changed my life; I can say that whole heartedly. I have never had an
experience as such and it would be ashamed to know that future students and local
Hawaiians will not be able to continue the experience what I have. I hope this helps in
making the right decision.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Grefsheim
Gref0013@d.umn.edu
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1 Re#. Date 19 2001