HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.900 2006-2008 The Hawaii Councy Council
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street ?
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Hilo, Hawaii 96720
August 1, 2007
Members of the Council,
My name is Wryen ICwaha I am 15 years old and I live in Kealia, South Kona Since June,
I have been observing the meetings concerning Resolution 169-07. I support the resolution all
the way, and now have decided to speak up. I am not against development, nor am I against
environmental preservation. I support both.
At your last meeting (July 25, 2007), you held testimony in Kona on this resolution. I am
truly angered by the Council's decision to postpone the voting for 169-07. We all heard both
sides, and they all say the same thing. One person needs jobs, another needs to preserve the
land. They all want what's best for Ka'u.
30 years is too long to wait We don't have the time or the energy to keep fighting. Lets
solve this issue and vote. Mr. Pilago stated that one of the responsiblities as an Administrative
Agency is to protect the wants and needs of the Native people. Yet, the five who voted for the
postponement ignored him. They did not protect the rights and wants of the Native people. The
Native people wanted a vote. And they were not given that,
Mayor Kim should have requested a facilitator a long time ago. Councilwoman Nae'ole
stated that this should have been done earlier. Ka'u is divided. As a Nichiren Buddhist of the
Soka Gakkai international, we live by a principle-many in body, one in mind. Many in body
represents diversity. We are all different-especially in Hawaii. One in mind represents the unity of
a group of people in attaining victory of the same goal. Many in Body, One in Mind is needed in
order to achieve victory. The only way to do this, is to vote now!
When we vote, we have a goal set The community can then heal itself and work
together to do what's best for Ka'u. I support this resolution for a few reasons. The first People
have testified that jobs are needed in Ka'u and that a hotel could provide that However, people
cannot afford to live in Ka'u right now. When you develop-the taxes go up. Who pays? The
people have to pay. So the money you make working at the hotel is not adequate enough to
support that Then what happens? You will need to find another job to pay for it. That means
either you work in Hilo, or you work in Kona That plan doesn't work
Preservation, however, is eternal. Punalu'u is the last remaining spot on the island. It must
be preserved for future generations to understand the way of life of our ancestors. The Ka'u
Preservation has been fighting for so long and has struggled. This is a serious issue. We can
talk about preserving Punalu'u, but unless we take action we cannot win. We must advance.
Now is the time!
Mahalo nui loa,
Wryen C Kiwa I' q
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Ref. Date AUG 0 8 2001