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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0349.443 2006-2008 Testimony Presented to the Hawaii County Council on June 19`", 2007 By Jim Spielman, SouthPoint, HI Ka'u Preservation jim@kaupreservation.ora 808-929-8334 PT NALii'U PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL FORMED June 4th, 2007 marked a turning point in our efforts to protect our only public beach park in Ka u and the longest undeveloped coastline in the state of Hawti i. Hundreds of residents from Ka'u, from the youngest to the eldest, made it clear to the County Council that a vast majority in Ka'u favor County Council Resolution 169-07. The County Council had wisely decided they needed to hear from the people of Ka u before voting on the important measure and the people of Ka'u delivered a clear and resounding answer: "SAVE PUNALU' U!" So now that the community of Ka' u has spoken it is time to approve this important resolution -and allow the Ka u community to come together and create the new Punalu u Park - a park everyone can be proud of. To assist in this process, Ka'u Preservation has announced the formation of the Punalu'u Advisory Council for the New Punalu'u Park that would help create and implement the management plan for the new 150 acre park once Resolution 169-07 is approved by the county council. The advisory council is still forming, but as of now, it is made up over 100 residents from Ka u and leading experts from across the state who have agreed to volunteer their time to help establish the new park for the people of Ka u. o s• Ka'u Preservation is dedicated to bringing the community of Ka u together and unite our efforts to create a sustainable future for Punalu u. The vision for the park will come from all of the many view points of the community and can begin with a series of community public meetings. We encourage ALL Ka'u residents to participate. We would like to see this process begin as soon as this important resolution is adopted by the council. The formation of this Punalu'u Park Advisory Council mirrors the successful formation of the Ka Ohana O Honuapo that was created to focus on the management of Honuapo Fish Ponds not far from Punalu'u. And this organization's leadership has agreed to help guide all of us in the process of managing the new Punalu'u County Park. Already over 100 volunteers from across Ka u and from every community in our district have signed up to be part of this Advisory Council and help create and implement a management plan for the new park. They have all agreed to offer assistance and volunteer time. They all love Punalu'u and want to care for her so that future generations can enjoy her natural beauty and cultural heritage. Comm. No..3 ~~l - ~-~3 Ref. To: •re~en Ref. Date^ 2U~ A big part of this Advisory Council for the new Punalu' u Park are the many experts that have agreed to help guide the community throughout this process. They have agreed to offer support and expert advice along the way. We are proud that some of the state's leading experts have come forward to help guide us. Many of them have come here today to show their support of this important resolution. Our Cultut•al Experts Lnclude: PELE HANOA, Hawaiian Educator and President of Ka u Preservation DR. MANU MEYER, Hawaiian Studies Expert for the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Manoa, DR. JANET SIX, professional archeologist who has been conducting research in Ka u for the past four years. DR. PETER MILLS Chair of the Anthropology Department at UH Hilo PALL KAPU DEDMAN, Hawaiian Educator, Cultural Practitioner and longtime resident of Punalu'u and founder of the Pele Defense Fund KU KAHAKALAU, founder and director of Kanu o Ka Aina New Century Public Charter School in Wiemea Our Natural Science Exoert~ include• DR. JASON TURNER, Marine Biologist and Associate Professor -University of Hawaii at Hilo and DR. JOHN P. ("JACK") LOCKWOOD, a resident of Volcano and an expert Geologist. And Our $gpeM for Reajlonal Planning will be: DR. LUCIANO MINERBI, Professor, University of Hawaii Department of Urban and Regional Planning who has come all the way from Ohau for this hearing. Also, we are proud that the OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS is a strong supporter of the creation of this new park and they have agreed to support the people of Ka u in every way possible. Our goal is simple: to create a people's park that guarantees access for all and continues the tradition of Punalu'u as a place for Ka'u families to gather and enjoy the rich bounty and sacredness of the land. On behalf of Ka u Preservation's over 400 members we are honored to present to you, honorable council members these respected and noted advisors that will help assure that the management of the New Punalu u Park will be successful and a wise investment for all of the citizens of Hawaii County. PiJNAL.U'U PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL (as of 6/18/071 Cultnral Experts: PELE HANOA, Hawaiian Educator and President of Ka'u Preservation DR. MANU MEYER, Hawaiian Studies Expert for the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Manoa, DR. JANET SIX, professional archeologist who has been conducting research in Ka'u for the past four years. DR. PETER MILLS Chair of the Anthropology Department at UH Hilo PALI KAPU DEDMAN, Hawaiian Educator, Cultural Practitioner and longtime resident of Punalu'u and founder of the Pele Defense Fund KU KAHAKALAU, founder and director of Kanu o Ka Aina New Century Public Charter School in Wiemea Nateral Science Fxlae~:. DR. JASON TURNER, Marine Biologist and Associate Professor -University of Hawaii at Hilo DR. JOHN P. ("JACK") LOCKWOOD, a resident of Volcano and an expert Geologist. Regional Pla ping Rx r DR. LUCIANO MINERBI, Professor, University of Hawaii Department of Urban and Regional Planning who has come all the way from Ohau for this hearing. Other Ka'u Residents and Advisors: Steve Mosley Ocean View Lou Lipka --heavy equipment operator Ocean View Randi Garner-small engine repair business. Naalehu Poha Ke'a Lipe Shannon Davis Eric Ka'awa Kimberely Wanner Evon Ka'awa Rachael Garman---lawn and garden service Waiohinu Chuck Harter South Point Ralph Rowland sign maker, Ocean View David Ka'awa Ponai Olson Kaila Olson Quincy Ka'awa Nohea Ka awa Stanley Trceller---South Point U Haul concrete and rental of heavy equipment Oceanview Eric Ka'awa Jr. Remelyn Salmo Shannon Ka awa Sasha Alexander Trice Davis Kahula Davis Nellie Salmo Kulani Kauhi Nathaniel Kauhi Hi~ilani Lipe Bryson Luta Celeste Lorenz Michael Ka awa Bob Faust---construction Mike Taylor----previously involved in another park maintenance project. Restaurant Owner in Ka u. Oceanview Pohahanainani Lipe Stephanie Mento Karl Mento Lynell Ka'awa Ryan Kamimura Ryan Williamson ---ecological landscape and design Waiohinu Lori Ka'awa Cerise Freitas Jashia Freitas Laura Matsueda Larry Ka awa Dayna Pilanca Eli Emsley Lacy Ka'awa Leona Matsueda Thomas Mochizuki Leanne Ka'awa Lea Hashimoto Ka'alei Hashimoto Lani Hashimoto Rodrigues Paul Rodrigues Corrine Hashimoto Bernie Lipe Chelsea Javar Roland Beck Clayton Haina Christen Haina Masae Barrow Kevin O'Connor----ecological landscape and design Waiohinu Zelda Pilanca Justin Lindsay Woody Grey Rodrick Pilanca Dawson Pilanca Glaylien Decoito Brittney Furte Bobby Kaupu Kamika Gustufson Terrance Gustufson Jamie Roddy Mory Koi Robert Woodcock----Nursery and landscape business Oceanview Jamie Oyama Mauna St. Clair Frankie Costa Jenae Rigaud Wesley Flirt Kim Norito Cortina Kuahiwinui Alex Rigaud Daehnee Joseph Patrick Richardson ---nursery and landscape business.Oceanview Dan Clark Ocean View Laverne Clark Ocean View Danny Miller film maker Pahala Earl Louis Punalu'u Bill Ward Naalehu ---construction Nick Carter Naalehu construction Ruth Bass Naalehu Sterling Robbins Richard Esparza Marla McCasland Orchid Nursery South Point Jim Anderson Electrical Contractor South Point Mike Munnerlyn, Contractor, Pahala Pernell Hanoa ,Pahala Sophie Hanoa ,Pahala Duane Miller Kahua Kaluna Alice Kawauhau Randall Kawauhau Lisa Derasin