HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0148.001 2016-2018 PIeouMcn
CDWM. 14-92
COUNTY CLERK
March 20, 2017 COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
RE: Resolution No. 104 17 &Resolution No. 108 17 RECEIVED
MalamaDOhiDa Project Contingency funds Time Blas •%..By kYL-
Date 42$1 20 I/
Aloha Hawaii County Council members,
My name is Leila Kealoha and I am submitting testimony in favor of Resolution No.
10417 and Resolution No. 10817 for the MalamaLIOhiEla project. I am a kama1 iaina
to the Puna area and have lived here my entire life. I am a cultural practitioner, and
a secondary teacher (Science, Forestry, Math and Projects) and have a love and
passion for our forests, especially our ohiDa trees. I received my degree in Tropical
Forest Ecosystems and Agroforestry Management (Forest TEAM) in 2003 and my
Environmental Studies degree in 2013. I serve as an Advisory board member for the
Forest TEAM at HawCC since 2003.
The OhiDa is the pioneer tree of the forests and home to many of the native birds,
insects and host for other native plants and trees.Working towards finding a
solution to help stop and/or cure the DOhiDa ROD and Wilt is vital to the survival of
not just this precious tree and resource,but the whole Hawaiian forest ecosystems.
With this specie dying off it is already having negative effects and if not stopped will
change these unique, one-of-a-kind and special forests. There is already enough
invasive species that are attacking our native ecosystems and we can't afford to lose
the backbone of our forest,L1ohi1alehua.
I met Dana Keawe and Jennifer Johansen years ago and have just formed the
relationship to work on the MalamaElOhiLa project with them. I am proud to say
that we will be piloting the program with my students of Kua 0 Ka La PCS and at our
schools site, in lower Puna.The ability to have the support for this project is
paramount to the future of all of HawaiiEls Native forests. Korean Natural Farming is
a non-intrusive methodto use and study the effects of helping and healing L1ohiDa
trees. I am asking for your support for both resolutions no. 10417 and no. 108 17 to
help research using the Korean Natural Farming methods to help heal our precious
trees.Any and all help that may be provided to support this project is greatly
appreciated.
Mahalonuiloa,
� tkb ga/oAc
Leila Kealoha
13-3749 Old Kalapana Road
Pahoa, HI 96778
(808) 937-7991 cell.
leilanjonathan@gmail.com
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