HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0343.026 2012-2014 L. Lahilahi DeSoto-McCollough COUNTY CLERK
PO Box 1364 COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
Kamuela, HI 96743 RECEIVED
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Aloha kakou,
Today, I speak from my heart and for my kupunas. My ancestors from the Hewahewa
line and all of my Hawaiian brothers and Sisters ancestors contributed to the making of
the Ala Kahakai Trail. The Ala Kahakai (Kings Trail) starts from the Puna district to the
northern end in Kohala. Part of this trail is the Ala Loa trail,meaning "long trail". The
Ala Loa trail was added to the National Register of Historic places as number 87001127
in 1987 and then to the State Registry of Historic places as site 10-10-11, 334 on January
14, 1989. This trail runs from Kiholo Bay to Kalahuipaua near Puako. And Puako has
already been bought out by the wealthy and non-Hawaiians. The Kings trail continues
further north by Upolu point near Mo'okini Heaiu, which my ancestors were the
caretakers of.
The Ala Loa trail will be turned over to a private developer to do as they please. It is my
deep concern and quite obvious that this developer has not taken our Native Hawaiian
people and our community into consideration when planning their pecuniary or money-
making projects. I am almost certain that they do not know the sacred,historic and
cultural significance of this trail.
The trail was established to access our natural resources and practice our traditional
ancient Hawaiian culture. We, as kanaka maoli, has every right to have access to our kai.
Why is it that a foreigner can come in and say we now need permission?This is our god-
given right! Talk about being sold out for the adoration of money.
That's the problem with us Hawaiian, we get too much aloha and people take advantage
of that and or look at it as a weakness. We don't have much but we are willing to share
what little we have. I feel like we are being exploited and raped, without my permission.
So how can the State and County allow foreigners to take, take, and keep taking until we
have nothing left? Look at 0'ahu,that poor moku is almost covered in concrete and
asphalt. Do we want this moku to become the same? When will it stop?
Sista Ana Nawahine Kaho'opi'i clearly state the obvious and blatant nonconformity of
this transaction and agreement with deviancy in mind. The County Counsel need to noho
(sit) with our kanaka maoli and community to negotiate in good faith the concerned
issues made by Sista Nawahine's testimony. I believe and support her concerns and
issues. We need your kokua(help)to rectify this wrong. We are obligated to restore and
preserve this sacred site, not make nice for the wealthy only.
Mahalo for letting me share i ko'u mana'o(my thought).
#71
Comm. No. 3 V'�'a eO
Ref.To: P/k
Ref. Date DEC 3 ?U13