HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.440 2006-2008 Swallow, Linda
From: Erin Wendt [bros0087@d.umn.edu]
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 2:47 AM
To: cou nciltestimony@co. hawaii. hi. us
Subject: Wendt, 6/18/07 = Resolution 169-07
TO: Hawaii County Council Members
FROM: Erin Wendt
RE: Resolution 169-07
I write in strong support of Resolution 169-07, The Keolalani Hanoa Resolution. I am a
sixth grade teacher at Paynesville Area Middle School in Paynesville, Minnesota, but Z
attended the University of Minnesota Duluth until May of 2005. During my time at college,
I traveled to the Hawaiian Islands under the direction of Professor Michael Sunnafrank,
Head of the Communications Department. While in Hawaii, I learned all about the history
of the land and of the people.
I met native Hawaiians who have suffered from poverty due to the ever-increasing
development of tourism. I do not want to see the people lose their sacred lands just so
that wealthy "Americans" can have nice vacations.
One of the most memorable places I visited during the educational experience to Hawaii was
the Black Sand Beach at Punalu'u. Never had I seen a beach made entirely of black sand,
nor so many Sea Turtles.
Furthermore, walking down the beach, there is a sacred area that was originally a burial
ground. Professor Sunnafrank told us about a restaurant that people tried to build on top
of the sacred land, and it had never-failing accounts of misfortune. The owners could not
understand why such bad luck should fall on them, but they should not have desecrated
sacred land. Finally, a storm of some sort destroyed everything in the restaurant except
for one thing. A mural had been handpainted along the back wall of the establishment.
The mural depicted native Hawaiians in their traditional clothing along the Punalu'u
Beach. The color was spectacular, and it had not been touched at a11. It should still be
there to this day.
Professor Sunnafrank also told us that on one of his trips, one student would not cross
the bridge that led to the sacred site. She said there were spirits there and that it was
not right to trespass in such a place. But if you do visit the place, observe the beauty
that remains amidst the destruction that befell evil deeds. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, that
restaurant was destroyed because of the evils of people.
I sincerely hope that you will heed the words of the natives as well as concerned
individuals such as myself. Do not make tk~e same mistake at Punalu'u that others have
made. Leave the land open to the wonders of wildlife and history.
Sincerely,
Erin Wendt
University of Minnesota Duluth Education Graduate
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