HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0907.002 2010-2012 8083294786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 10:57:40 a.m. 11-21-2012 1 /2
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Testimony of Aminta Danette Kahalelaukoa Ka'ahanuionakoa Omphroy
November 21, 2012
West Hawaii Civic Center
Kailua-Kona, Moku 0 Keawe
Aloha kakahiaka kakou, my name is Aminta Danette Kahalelaukoa ~�
Omphroy. My'ohana have been in these islands for 8 generations. My
grandfather was a Ka'awa and grandmother Ka'ahanuionakoa of
Molokai. I am a cultural practitioner and an educator.
I come before you today to stress the importance of taking care of
the iwi (bones) of our Kupuna, our ancestors.As Hawaiians we are
spiritually connected to our ancestors.We have much reverence for
those that walked this'aina before us.
Na'aumakua, our ancestral guardians are those Kupuna of the
past.They are the ones that guide us and we learn through those spirits.
I am very in tune with my ancestors. I ask for their guidance,wisdom
and knowledge daily.It is part of my journey to listen and be open to the
signs,omens,the ho'ailona.
I did not grow up here in Hawaii. I grew up in Los Angeles most of
my life. But I grew up with the Hawaiian cultural values and beliefs.My
mom is Hawaiian. I have been on Moku 0 Keawe (Hawaii Island) for the
past 25 years. I
If you listen closely enough and open your heart and mind the
ancestors will talk to you too. They would tell you that it is wrong to
move their bones from their original resting places.
I understand that the land developers are looking for prime land
here in paradise.And they do not stop to think of the importance of
protecting the bones that may be found on their sites. I know that it is all
about the worth,how much they could make off of the land after
developing toward their investments.
But our Kupuna are our investments,we cherish their memories,
wishes and continue to learn from their experiences. Hasn't there
already been enough developing?Removing Kanaka Maoli from their
homelands?Hasn't there been enough pain suffered by our people?Why
do we have to continue to be a minority in our own Nation? Do you
really wonder why Hawaiians and supporters are angry with your
decisions?The rich want to be richer and do not care about who they
walk on to achieve their goals.
Comm. No. 907, 2--
Ref. To: �
Ref. Date NOV 2 1 7017
8083294786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 10:58:09 a.m. 11-21-2012 2/2
I ask you all this question: What if I was to come to your homeland
and buy up all the prime realty. Make up new laws to justify what I want
to do with my new land. No matter what you or your family say or stress
what they are expecting you not to do.Then as we are excavating to put
in my personal road to my resort,we find the bones of your
grandmother. But,we decide amongst our group that if we just rebury
the bones or just crush them and get rid of them elsewhere, no one will
know for the better and if there are no bones to see we can just continue
excavating and building. How would you feel? Could you put yourself in
our shoes for a change?
I ask that you stop and think about the cultural impact that you
are causing. How unhappy the spirits of the ancestors get and what
negative impact that could cause. Our ancestors have been laid to rest
and we need to allow them to stay where they were laid to rest.
This should not be an O'ahu decision being that we are here on
Moku 0 Keawe.We,the people of this island should have the right to say
what happens to the ancestral bones when found here.It is not okay to
push us aside to do whatever you decide is the right thing to do.The
only right thing for you to do, is to step aside and allow the Hawaiians to
care for the iwi Kupuna. It is our kuleana to care for the bones of our
ancestors.
Mahalo for your time and allowing me to speak about what I
believe.
Aloha and Mahalo,
Aminta Danette Kahalelaukoa Ka'ahanuionakoa Omphroy
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