HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0354.001 2016-2018 PI COUNCIL
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ououN C, . imlfiondexter Vice Chair Eoff and Members of this Council,
1017 . y ae i�ly Richards and am grateful for your giving me this opportunity to
s in support of Resolution 239-17, that appropriates funds for the Malama
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Honua Worldwide Voyage Interpretive display at Richardson's Ocean Center.
Having participated in the recently completed 3 year voyage, and also being
familiar with the present display at Richardson's Ocean Center, I can attest to the
need for an update of the exhibit so as to improve the experience for visitors. But
more importantly for the haumana, students, `opio, youth, who attend classes
and workshops at the site, for it is they the future of our islands for which the
worldwide voyage was both conceived and carried out.
We took Hokule`a around the world, with its first leg departing from Hilo and its
arrival home at Kawaihae. And significantly so, as the leadership of the last
segment off the voyage was captained and navigated by crewmembers, born of
this island's community of Waimea. Captain Pomai Bertelmann, and Navigator
Ka'iulani Murphy.
Between the outset when Kumukahi was left astern, and the conclusion with the
appearance of Haleakala, and then Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa off the bow, your
canoe Hokule`a traveled 60,000 miles, visiting 150 ports, in 23 countries. In doing
so, we exchanged greetings with a myriad of people from many countries,
sharing culture, song and dance, breaking bread, and discussing the issues
facing all of us in our world of both beauty and unrest, and uncertainty and
promise.
We learned much over this period, and we could not have done it without the
support of our families, friends, and communities here at home. And as such, it is
incumbent upon us to share what we have learned from our interaction with the
world. Not just with people, but the flora, fauna, weather, skies, and stars...
The children are why we went. It is for them that the risk of going was taken, and
our return certain. So again, it is why the voyage must be shared otherwise it was
all for naught.
I am a great believer that Hokule`a serves as an inspiration to our young. To
reach higher, see over the horizon, rise to the occasion, face the unknown, and
succeed in ones choice of endeavor, be it voyaging, or not. It's the inspiration
that counts. That's effective. And the only way they will gain from it at this point,
is to see the worldwide voyage of Hokule`a through the eyes, and hear it through
the words, of those who have been...
I urge passage of this resolution, and thank you again for this opportunity.
02Aug17
Comm. No. 1
Ref. To: GvI1
P f. Date p 2 2®17