HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0042.002 2012-2014 pltsiuwcv..
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First of all, I want to greet the new council members 6107
who have won the right to represent their island districts.
Congratulations!
My name is Ronald Fujiyoshi. I am a retired
missionary of the United Church of Christ having served
in Asia for twenty years from 1968 through 1988. During
those twenty years I had the privilege of working with
people of many religious backgrounds. I have learned to
respect all of these religions, especially those that stress
living in harmony with nature. Returning to Hawai'i in
1988, I have felt a great injustice has been done to the
Kanaka Maoli in the lack of respect given to their cultural
and traditional beliefs. With this in mind, I want to
speak in strong support of Bill 333 which amends the •
Hawaii County Code relating to the Hawaii County ='
Cultural Resources Commission.
I understand this Commission was the result of a bill
submitted by ex-councilwoman Emily Naeole. I believe
this amendment improves this commission by looking for
members with knowledge of traditional Hawaiian burial
practices as practiced prior to foreign contact.
This amendment is consistent with the Hawaii State
Constitution Article 12, Section 7 on traditional and
customary rights which reads: The State reaffirms and
shall protect all rights customarily and traditionally
exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes
and possessed by ahupua'a tenants who are descendants
of native Hawaiians who inhabited the Hawaiian Islands
prior to 1778. . . .
This amendment and the commission strengthens
"home rule," helping residents of Hawaii Island to
determine their own future. I understand there was a bill
in the last state legislature that attempted to eliminate
the island burial councils and collapsing all the burial
councils into just one burial council for all of Hawaii.
This amendment helps to insure that proper burial
practices will be followed under the guidance of qualified
people from Hawaii Island.
Comm. No.J
Ref. To: P i(--awYe.,
Ref. Date DEC 19 2012