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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1008.003 2016-2018 on CD The Trust for Public Land's Testimony Supporting Res. 650-18 Relating to the conservation of Waikapuna, TMK: 9-5-007:016 t in the ahupua'a of Kahilipali`iki and Kahilipalinui, Ka`u `' Ti Hawaii County Council, Committee on Finance August 7 Tuesday, g ,2018,9:15AM .� THE TRUST Hawaii County Building,25 Aupuni Street,Hilo,Hawaii,96720 N FOR - PUBLIC Aloha Chair David, Vice Chair Eoff, and Committee Members, LAND H A W A I ' I The Trust for Public Land strongly supports Resolution 650-18,which authorizes the 1003 Bishop st. Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of land or a Pauahi Tower Ste. 740 conservation easement for all or a portion of the property identified as Tax Map Key: 9- Honolulu. HI 96813 5-007:016 in the ahupua'a of Kahilipali`iki and Kahilipalinui,District of Ka`u,pursuant T: 808.524.8694 to Chapter 2,Article 42, Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended). This F:808.524.8565 resolution forwards the opportunity to purchase or place a conservation easement on tpl.org approximately 2,013 acres of land makai of Na`alehu,which includes the historic fishing village of Waikapuna, and is listed as the highest priority for purchase in the ADVISORY COUNCIL 2017 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Brad Punu, Chair American Savings Bank Lineal descendants of Kahilipali`iki and Kahilipalinui requested The Trust for Public Earlynne Maile, Vice Chair Land and the Hawai`i 501(c)3 nonprofit Ala Kahakai Trail Association's assistance in Hawaiian Electric exploring a potential voluntary purchase and conservation easement of these lands with Gregg H.Takara the landowner. The Trust for Public is honored and humbled to assist the lineal Morgan Stanley Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli descendants,the Ka`u community, and the County of Hawai`i in this important, Molokai General Hospital community-driven, and collaborative effort. Stanford S. Carr Stanford Carr Development The Trust for Public Land is a national non-profit organization that creates parks and John and Julianna Leong conserves land for people, ensuring healthy livable communities for generations to Pono Pacific and KUPU come. We believe that equity and fairness matter, and that a relationship between Kurt Matsumoto people and nature is critical for healthy people and a healthy landscape. Since 1972, POlama Lanai TPL has helped acquire and conserve more than 3.5 million acres of park and open Edmund C. Olson space resources, as well as a broad array of landscape-scale recreation,wilderness, Farmer,Rancher,Landowner forest and agricultural lands in 47 states,valued at over$8 billion. Gregory C. Pietsch Pietsch Properties LLC In Hawai`i, health is the foundation of our work. We focus on meaningfully connecting Tom Reeve people to the land and each other, and support the empowerment of underserved and Conservationist Native Hawaiian communities. Our vision is that the people of Hawai`i are thriving and Michael S. Spalding health and meaningfully connected to the land, each other, and a livingHawaiian Michael Spalding Realty Y� g Y Sharron Stanbro culture. We have helped to conserve over 43,500 acres and 34 significant places across Retired Educator,Farmer the islands. We are a true partnership organization as we do not own land ourselves, but Jon Wallenstrom assist government agencies and local nonprofits to protect and purchase lands with Forest City significant public benefit. We are grateful to have partnered with the County to protect Carol Wilcox places such as Kawa, Honu'apo fishpond, and Pao`o. Author Our Hawai`i priorities include protecting lands that provide us with clean drinking water,produce local food, and perpetuate Hawaiian culture, and connect and empower communities through the creation of trails and parks. The Waikapuna protection effort meets all of our priorities. The natural and cultural resources of Kahilipali`iki and it for Comm. No 'VOU• .._ Ref. To:FIFO Ref. Date 4-7 2018 Kahilipalinui are irreplaceable, and the lands have immense historical and cultural value of importance to all of Hawai`i. The land includes Waikapuna village,three heiau, habitation caves, burials, Keonepoko agricultural complex, Kahuwai canoe sheds,petroglyphs, a striking segment of the alaloa, a spring, a massive sea cave and cliffs home to endangered 'Ua'u(petrel), Federal-candidate 'Ake'ake (band-rumped storm petrel), indigenous Noio (noddies), 'Ulili (tattler), and Koa'e Kea(tropic birds), extensive and varied native coastal groundcover, mauka pockets of native trees wiliwili, alahe'e, lama, and naio,pasture land that supports Ka`u's rural paniolo culture and agricultural economy, and an intertidal pool complex that is a significant nursery area for nearshore marine life.Noted historian and author Mary Kawena Pukui spent her summers at Waikapuna with her tutu, and much of what we still know of Hawaiian culture comes from her documentation and memories of this special place. The Trust for Public Land has signed a voluntary conservation purchase agreement with the private owner, and is grateful for their willingness to work towards a solution for these lands that would be a win-win-win- for the community,the environment,the landowner, and Hawaiian culture. The State Legacy Land Conservation Program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources has awarded $2,000,000 toward a conservation purchase by Ala Kahakai Trail Association. The Hawaii nonprofit Ala Kahakai Trail Association would own the land, and steward the land in true partnership with the Ka`u community, including the ranchers on the land, lineal descendants, Hawaiian cultural practitioners, educators, and Ka`u nonprofits and civic groups. We envision the County holding a conservation easement over the land,which would restrict subdivision and development, and support managed community access, and protection of all of the biocultural resources. We ask you to please support this resolution, and the permanent protection of Kahilipali`iki and Kahilipalinui, including the ancient fishing village of Waikapuna. The timing is critical to protect Waikapuna. The property has 22 lots of record, and the landowner will move forward with a subdivision plan if not protected through a purchase and conservation easement. Subdivision and development could destroy both fragile native habitat and cultural sites, open property to inappropriate and excessive access, severely impact marine environment through sedimentation, encourage invasive species, and catalyze a domino effect of subdivision and development of nearby lands- extinguishing the local community's passionate efforts toward an entirely protected Ka`u coast, and continued ranching/farming. Many community groups, and Ka`u families and individuals have provided testimony in support of this Waikapuna protection effort to the State Legacy Land Conservation Commission and the County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Attached,please see our PONC Suggestion Form,Attachment C (Support Letters). Also attached is a map. Mahalo piha for the opportunity to work together to protect Waikapuna in perpetuity, 11°444Vit Laura H. E. Kaakua Aloha `Aina Program Manager The Trust for Public Land 1003 Bishop Street, Suite 740 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Phone: (808)524-8562 Email: laura.kaakua@tpl.org www.tpl.org/hawaii • d 'k , K/O/ Alr 2y 24;fe " noir t� � ,.;hrse• ' i' I 'a*&'46,444N4 I: , OAU _ _t i `E ` 1Honu'apo \ '17i.4 • \:;:' Bay iii, �, � hi. '.' "* �,•• Hawaii � � ` �, � :114' k4t10,44,4 c fkl. , , aka r Al,. \ • { '�' 1 a' KAON c ••\ ' KAUNAMANO m �•V t • u f, . \\ \\ • • ..' �� 0 rA KAWALA V. \\AHlLIPALlNUl y• I KIO LA KA'A ` ,i PU'UMAKA'A Kai u t , ,,\,,, x \ G \ Q \ •\ \ \•\ 1 r +ferWaikapuna \ ,I WAIOMAO \ � \I Bay t *1I, + r ..7' KAHUKU " POINT f `\ , \ , !` ti4lotiii, ‘71 l; D Waikapuna(2,209 acres) `tx. 1 1'k D Kaunamano current project of Ala Kahakai NHT and TPL '`` . ( 'A+ Vit„. —— Potential trail alignment(2 1/3 mi.through Waikapuna) � i Q". I' 1::::Ahupua'a(historic land division) -, I' •N4,1W ti Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail corridor(approximate) `t / Public land �, Nq // State `tt �• \N!f , • County iiiii,....... ,.. ' Ill � a' t "/,'t I 0 OS 1 Miles I. Waikapuna, Kahilipalinui and Kahilipali'iki Ahupua'a KA'U, HAWAII ISLAND .___i_�i� TRusT AL A K A II AK Al FOR PUBLIC September 27,2016.Copyright©The Trust for Public Land.The Trust for Public Land and The Trust for Public Land logo are federally registered marks of The Trust for Public Land. LAND Information on this map is provided for purposes of discussion and visualization onlywww.tpl.org The Mary Kawena Puku`i Cultural Preservation Society December 4, 2016 Laura Kaakua The Trust for Public Land 1003 Bishop Street, Ste. 740 Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813 `Ano`ai Ms. Kaakua, The Mary Kawena Pukui Cultural Preservation Society fully supports the efforts of The Trust for Public Land and Ala Kahakai Trail Association to purchase, preserve and protect Waikapuna, Kaunamano, Ka`u, Hawaii from development. Cultural preservation and education being our focus. I would like provide some information that would be helpful in realizing the importance of the area and also the familial ties with this particular area. Mary Kawena Pukui was born in her grandmother's home, Hale Ola, in Haniumalu,just above Na'alehu, in Ka`u, Hawaii. Her grandmother, Nali`ipo`aimoku, who delivered her, asked the newly born infant's parents, Paahana and HenryWiggin, toallow her to raise Kawena, and they agreed. Nali ipo aimoku was born in 1830 in Puna, then her parents moved to Waikapuna. She was a well-known kahuna la'au lapa'au (medicinal kahuna) and kahuna pale keiki (midwife). She was also very close to, and a court dancer and chanter for Queen Emma, traveling with the Queen when summoned. Her father, Keliikanaka`oleolmakakoloa, was a cousin of Boki, who didn't care for court life and lived in Ka'u as plain Kanaka`ole. He died when Naliipo`aimoku was a year old and she was raised by her stepfather Kanekuhia, a Lono priest, trained in the temple of Lono at Kealakekua, where Captain Cook landed and was thought to be Lono. He raised her as his own and passed to her the rituals of the Lono priesthood. Her mother, Keliipa`ahana, was a noted midwife and beautiful dancer, who taught Naliipo`aimoku the chants and dances of Pele. The home, Hale Ola, where Kawena was born, was originally built at Waikapuna, near Poninau, where Nali`ipo`aimoku and her mother Keliipa`ahana lived and raised goats whose hides were exported. in the 1860's. Nali`ipo`aimoku's husband (Kawena's grandfather), Kanaka`ole (Keliikanaka`oleoHaililani) was a Kahuna La'au Lapa'au, who was noted as such by Kalakaua in the king's book in the Bishop Museum. He was also a noted kahuna ho`oulu i'a (expert concerning fish habits). At Waikapuna stood a stone named Kanoa. It was here that 835 Ahuwale St,Honolulu, Hawaii 96821 ph.(808)377-5611 * fx(808)377--5612 * marykawenapukui.com page 2 Kanaka`ole would stand, praying with his 'apu 'awa(coconut cup for 'awa ceremonies) before him on the stone, which was used only to lay offerings upon, to free the kapu he had imposed earlier in the year. Once the kapu was freed, the first five days' catches went to the chiefs, the next three days to the konohiki and the people fished freely thereafter. Even after Ka`ahumanu abolished the old kapu system after the death of Kamehameha, Kanaka`ole continued to follow the old ways, remembering the ali`i and konohiki in his catches. After both Nali`ipo`aimoku and her mother, Keli`ipa`ahana, were widowed, Hale Ola was moved to Haniumalu, where Kawena was born. Each summer, Nali`ipo`aimoku would take Kawena with her to Waikapuna, her favorite place to fish and gather pa`akai (salt). Nali`ipo`aimoku and little Kawena were inseparable and the grandmother taught her mo`opuna punahele all that she could of the culture and traditions of her people. Waikapuna has a rich history and must be preserved for the people to continue its historic traditions.and protect its pristine conditions. Aloha, L. La`akea Suganuma President/Director December 7, 2016 Laura Kaakua The Trust for Public Land 1003 Bishop Street, Suite 740 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Re: Conservation Purchase of Waikapuna, Kahilipali Nui and Kahilipali `Iki, Ka`u, Hawaii Island,TMK (3) 9-5-007: 016 Dear Laura: On behalf of the Keanu 'Ohana of Ka'u, we strongly support the acquisition of Waikapuna and its surrounding lands by the Ala Kahakai Trail Association and the Trust for Public Land in an effort to preserve and protect this natural and cultural treasure. As native descendants with genealogical ties to the ahupua'a of Kahilipali and its neighbors, we believe that the purchase of these lands will allow for perpetual protection of this wahi pana or storied place of our ancestors. Waikapuna was once a thriving coastal community and its freshwater springs and abundant marine resources supported families who would exchange fish with relatives who farmed kalo and other goods in the fertile mauka communities of Naalehu and Waiohinu. In an interview with Mary Kawena Pukui in 1960, my great-grandfather's brother, Uncle Herbert Ku'umi Kin In, described this unique relationship between extended 'ohana in the Ka'u uplands and lowlands, "Ina he nui kau ukana e lawe mai ana, aha ho'i no 'oe me ka ukana. If you come down with a big bundle (from the mountains), you are going home with a big bundle (from the sea)." My great-grandfather, Alfred Kalama Kahakua and his brother spoke fondly of Waikapuna and other wahi pana of Ka'u. Both were interviewed many times and their words often express sadness about the loss of our culture, our language, our birds, plants and sacred places. It is for this reason that our family became deeply concerned after the closure of Ka'u Agribusiness and the sale of its properties. For the last twenty years, many properties such as Waikapuna have been purchased by land speculators who propose new developments that threaten the rural nature and open view planes which are greatly cherished in Ka'u. Our family actively supports initiatives to protect natural and cultural resources along the 80 miles of Ka'u coastline from the impacts of development and urban sprawl. Throughout history, the people of Ka'u have practiced a lifestyle of subsistence. For many generations, the Keanu 'Ohana has fished and gathered at Waikapuna, sometimes walking for miles along mauka-makai trails and coastal trails of the ala kahakai. We continue these traditions today. As children, it was here where we learned how to pick limu and 'opihi. We were taught to ask permission before we gather and to take only what was needed. These were important lessons in resource protection, sustainability and humility. When camping on Waikapuna's sandy shores, we marvel at the many bright stars and constellations clearly visible at night from a coastline far from city lights. Together, we would wander through the village in awe of the expansive walled remains of where our ancestors lived, worked and played. For me, Waikapuna has always felt like home and it is this deep spiritual connection with my kupuna which I hope to perpetuate for the next generation. For the Keanu 'Ohana, we believe that this acquisition will honor our kupuna, their history, their values and their legacy by protecting the entire cultural and natural landscape. There are few opportunities today where such large scale preservation of pristine lands is even possible. The purchase will help to safeguard our family's many sacred sites including the iwi kupuna. The effort will also allow for the protection of Waikapuna's dryland forest and extensive native coastal plant habitat which includes seabird nesting areas along the sea cliffs. Furthermore, the scenic shores of Waikapuna are known as a place where fish and other marine life spawn and its protected tide pools serve as nature's nursery. Waikapuna presents an opportunity for research and education on many levels. As native descendants, we hope to continue our traditional cultural and educational practices on the land and in its waters. Our family is committed to assisting the Ala Kahakai Trail Association and other community organizations with the stewardship of the property. We are very excited about this opportunity to protect Waikapuna. Mahalo for your consideration. William Keoni Fox 48-472 Kamehameha Hwy Waikane, HI 96744 (808) 351-6279 mobile foxw001@ihawaii.rr.com Hawaiian Civic Club of Kali PO 130x 7021, Ocean View, HI 96737 County of Hawaii Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission c/a 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 1101, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Rt: Letter of Support for Waikapuna, TMK(3)9-5-007: 016 2017 FONC Funding Request Aloha Members of the Public.Access,Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission, i he Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka'u is writing in strong support of Ala Kahakai Trail Association, The 1 rust for Public Land and the Ka'u community's efforts to purchase and protect the makai portions of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipali'iki ahupua'a, including Waikapuna fishing village in Ka'u, Hawaii Island. The mission statement of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka'u is to ha-mato(protect)our natural and cultural resources and assets,to ho'omau(perpetuate)the traditional practices specific to Ka+U, to ho'opi r promote)values and practices that enhances our community and to malvrno preserve)the "Ike (knowledge)of our kupwr?cr based in the spirit of lokahi(unity). Waikapuna and Kahilipali arc very special places that are rich with cultural sites such as the alaloa (trails), heiau, house sites, etc.as well as the many native plants that thrive in the area. Waikapuna was once a fishing village therefore the marine resources are also abundant. As our islands become more and more developed it is important to preserve they spacial places for our future generations to come. Perhaps someday the cultural sites and the native plants could be preserved and used as a class room for children to learn about our rich Hawaiian heritage. How our people worked and lived sustainably in harmony with our environment. We fully support the efforts of The Trust for Public Land,the Ala Kahakai Trail Association and the Ka`u community's efforts to purchase and prated the makai portions of Khilipalinui and the kahilipali'iki ahupua'a,including Waikapuna fishing village in Ka`u, Hawaii. Mahalo a nui lua, Berkeley Yoshida President Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka'u Walter Andrade PO Box 74 Naalehu, Hawaii 96772 Re: Conservation Purchase of Waikapuna fishing village in Ka`u, Hawaii Island, TMK (3) 9-5-007: 016 Aloha, I, Walter Andrade, and MJ Ranch, strongly support Ala Kahakai Trail Association and The Trust for Public Land's efforts to help the Ka`u community purchase and forever protect the makai lands of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipaliiki, including the Waikapuna fishing village in Ka`u, Hawai`i Island. Our family ranch has leased the upper portion of this property for many years for our cattle ranch, and we have also camped and fished at Waikapuna beach over the years. It is important that Ka'u's rural character and especially its agricultural lands be preserved for future generations. Thank you for your consideration of this request to preserve Waikapuna. Mahalo, `�7(� / �TR', ' I Michelle Galimba Kuahiwi Ranch PO Box 24 Naalehu HI 96772 (808)430-4927 cc: Conservation Purchase of Waikapuna fishing village in Ka`u, Hawaii Island, TMK (3) 9-5-007: 01 Aloha, I would like to share my perspective about why the purchase of Waikapuna by the State of Hawaii for preservation will benefit future generations and the present community. One of the most important reasons is to preserve the coastline of Waikapuna is to protect the wildlife that lives under the water off-shore from the environmental degradation - chemical run- off, light pollution, and soil erosion - that follows from development for residential or commercial uses. There are also many rare and endangered plant and animal species that live on the coastline. A second reason is archeological and cultural preservation. There are innumerable cultural sites scattered throughout the property - house-sites, cave-shelters, burial-sites, as well as well- preserved fishing village. These cultural sites are a precious resource for understanding the life ways of the ancient Hawaiians. Last but not least, Waikapuna should be preserved because this place is part of the heart and soul of the community. Waikapuna is a beloved spot for the community of Ka'u. Like many in my community, I have been going to Waikapuna since I was toddler. Because the road is rough, it is not a place that you go to very often, maybe once a year, or even less. And yet the experience of being at Waikapuna shines bright in memory, as something pure and vivid. Some people come to fish from the cliffs, some to pick 'opihi, or catch crabs or lobsters in the tide pools. Some just come to be in this quiet place where the presence of the ancestors is so strong. My family has ranched at Waikapuna for just over twenty years now. It is a rough, rocky, often dry and windblown place that we nevertheless love very much. Although it is very drought- prone and must be managed to prevent over-grazing, it is rich pasture-land when the rains come, and makes for grass-fed beef of incomparable flavor. We hope that through the conservation and agricultural easements these lands will continue to provide locally-grown beef for our communities for many years to come. Waikapuna, as part of the Ka'u coastline, is a place that should be preserved for the people of the State of Hawaii. This wild coastline is a treasure that we can steward and a gift that we can pass on to future generations. Mahalo, December 6, 2016 Legacy Land Conservation Program Department of Land and Natural Resources 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325 Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813 RE: Letter of Support for Waikapuna; TMK(3) 9-5-007: 016 FY2017 Legacy Land Conservation Program Aloha Members of the Legacy Land Conservation Commission: The Nature Conservancy supports the efforts of the Ala Kahakai Trail Association, The Trust for Public Land and the Ka`u community to purchase and protect the makai portions of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipali`iki ahupua`a, including the Waikapuna fishing village in Ka`u on Hawai`i island. The Nature Conservancy of Hawai`i is a private non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of the lands and waters upon which life depends. The Conservancy has helped to protect nearly 200,000 acres of natural lands in Hawai`i. We manage 40,000 acres in 14 preserves and work in 19 coastal communities to help protect the near-shore reefs and waters of the main Hawaiian Islands. The coastal area of Waikapuna has excellent coastal vegetation, including naupaka and kaunaoa- covered sand dunes. Large colonies of black and brown noddies, tattlers, white-tailed tropicbirds, band-rumped storm petrels, and Hawaiian petrels inhabit the sea cliffs. Many of the coastal plant species within the State's Kamilo Forest Reserve are also found along this area's coastline, and the large colony of kupe'e at the lagoon is one of the largest known in Ka'u. Additionally, the marine biomass surveys done by NOAA in the area show nearshore resources as good as those found in the northwestern Hawaiian islands. The acquisition of this parcel will protect the area from development for the benefit and permanent protection of native birds, coastal strands of endangered plants, and significant archaeological sites. Further, it ensures that two miles of nearshore marine habitat will remain free of disruption to biological processes caused by artificial lights. Mahalo for your consideration and the opportunity to share our support. Sincerely, Shalan Crysdale Director, Hawaii Island Program The Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i www.nature.org/hawa i i A AWA/i k, pQ �Qj 14 D� <9 < %, " &IFE F 0, Legacy .. v4 Legacy Land Conservation Program � �� December 7, 2016 Department of Land and Natural Resources 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 RE: Letter of Support for Purchase of Waikapuna, TMK (3) 9-5-007: 016 FY2017 Legacy Land Conservation Program Aloha Members of the Legacy Land Conservation Commission, Our organization, Hawai'i Wildlife Fund (HWF), strongly supports the Ala Kahakai Trail Association, The Trust for Public Land and the Ka`u community's effort to purchase and protect the makai portions of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipali`iki ahupua`a, including the Waikapuna fishing village in Ka`u, Hawai`i Island. HWF is a 501(c)(3)organization dedicated to protection of the native wildlife of Hawai'i through conservation research,education, and advocacy. In 2005, HWF began working with the State Lands Division and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)to get the coastal portion of the Wai`ohinu lands(adjoining Kahilipalinui)transferred from grazing lease to Forest Reserve. The Wai`ohinu coastal strand has three dozen species of native coastal plants, anchialine pool ecosystems and numerous petroglyphs and other Hawaiian archeological sites. With DOFAW permits, HWF has been conducting habitat restoration work on this property since 2009. We believe the native coastal plants,ecosystems, and Hawaiian sites of this unique coast, including the makai portions of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipalinui ahupua'a must be protected from development and any further degradation. HWF has demonstrated its commitment to protection and conservation management of an important piece of the Ka`u coast and could use this experience to assist in management of the Kahilipalinui lands as well. This property, coupled with the adjacent Wai`ohinu coast would, we believe,provide and protect a unique collection of Hawaiian natural and cultural resources—and,potentially, a great educational platform. Mahalo for considering our support for this important purchase. William G. Gilmartin President, Hawai'i Wildlife Fund P.O. Box 70 Volcano, HI 96785 wildhawaii.org C'~ Ho'o m a I u Ka`U a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization ' ''..ik ', 1, ,, ', Legacy Land Conservation Program Department of Land and Natural Resources `Ohi`a Lehua 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325 Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813 DIRECTORS December 7, 2016 Lehua Lopez-Mau RE: Letter of Support for Waikapuna, TMK(3) 9-5-007: 016 President FY2017 Legacy Land Conservation Program Wendy Scott-Vance Aloha Members of the Legacy Land Conservation Commission, Secretary/Treasurer Ho'omalu Ka'u(HK), a community-based nonprofit located in Na'alehu, Ka'u, Zachary DeBernardi Hawaii Island, is writing in strong support of the Ala Kahakai Trail Director Association's, The Trust for Public Land's and the Ka`u community's efforts to purchase and protect the makai portions of the Kahilipalinui and the Blossom DeSilva Kahilipali`iki ahupua`a, including Waikapuna fishing village in Ka`u, Hawai`i Director Island. William Iaukea Ho'omalu's mission to is "to perpetuate,protect and conserve the lands, health, Director knowledge,cultures and history of Ka'u and its people." Our primary long-term goal is to build and manage The Ka'u Heritage Center, an archival and meeting Charmaine Keanu center to house the cultural,historical, Director environmental,and traditional knowledge of Ka'u and its land and people. We are also committed to protecting the archaeological,cultural,and historical treasures of the Ka'u District, as well as the pristine environmental ecosystems contained within Ka'u's 922 square miles that are now largely undeveloped. This is an opportunity to preserve large tracts of native plant and animal species, open space with unparalleled views, access to the coastline and the sea cave at Waikapuna,native marine plant and animal species, as well as numerous cultural sites. There are cultural and spiritual connections to places throughout the proposed purchase area that are still important to Native Hawaiians and local families throughout the state, especially to those who live here. These connections link native plant and animal species to ancestral spiritual concepts like lokahi (unity of humans, deities, and the earth)and wahi pana(storied places). Unlike O'ahu, the Ka'u District(almost twice the size of Oahu)retains the natural resources, both terrestrial and marine,that supported thousands of natives for more than 2,000 years. Ka'u,the largest district in the state with one of the smallest populations(less than 9,000 residents) is a"land and sea bank" of cultural and natural values that can sustain generations to come. The purchase of these POST OFFICE BOX 384 •NA`ALEHU, HI 96772 . PHONE(808)929-8526 lands,together with the protection of hundreds of thousands of acres in Ka'u now held by federal, state, and county governments,will ensure the continuation of native ecosystems and cultural practices. For instance,Native Hawaiians still collect salt at Waikapuna(when they are allowed access to this private property), salt that has tremendous spiritual and healing properties to many families(both native and non-native). Food substances from seaweed,marine invertebrates,and fish are still harvested and consumed by local residents. Hula practices still honor ancestral deities personified by species like turtles and sharks that can still be found in near-shore waters. With this purchase,Ho'omalu Ka'u proposes to begin planning for a baseline recordation of the cultural sites and natural resources in digital documents and video for storage and access in our future heritage center. Geologic,climate,sea-rise, and land-use changes in the environment can be marked over time and made available for research. Because these areas have the"seeds"for future population sustainability(food,medicine,tools,building materials,etc.),the preservation of existing land and shoreline assets is a vision of sustainability for our grandchildren well into the next century. The purchase of portions of the ahupua'a of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipali iki,protected in perpetuity,is very important for our people and the future of our Hawai'i Nei. Please make this purchase a priority. We cannot let this opportunity pass! Malama Ka'u, irr j /' i�� Lehua Lopez-Mau,President 04.4. Ato o) Post Office Box 903 Na`alehu, HI 96772 tr- �► kaohanaohonuapo@gmail.com December 8, 2016 Legacy Land Conservation Program Department of Land and Natural Resources 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 RE: Letter of Support for Waikapuna, TMK (3) 9-5-007: 016 FY2017 Legacy Land Conservation Program Aloha Chair Menard and Members of the Legacy Land Conservation Commission, Ka 'Ohana 0 Honu'apo ("Ka 'Ohana" or the family of Honu'apo) is pleased to express our support for the purchase of the coastal parcel at Kahilipali, Ka'ia, Hawai'i Island, which includes the ancient fishing village of Waikapuna. Kahilipali is located south of Honu'apo Bay, and just north of Kamilo. Ka 'Ohana is a community-based, non-profit, and tax-exempt organization whose mission is to, "Care for, restore, and protect the natural and cultural resources of Honu'apo Park" in Ka'u (www.wildhawaii.org). Ka 'Ohana members have been activity working within the community and with County, State, Federal and NGO partners since our foundation in 2005. Our organization is a model example of how a concerned group of community members can work together with the government agencies to help manage their properties in perpetuity, with little ongoing costs to taxpayers. With county and private funding, Ka 'Ohana has been hosting large community events, and smaller 'opio (youth) and keiki (children) workshops at Honu'apo continually since our founding in 2005. With the purchase of this large tract of land at Kahilipali, we hope to expand our work with youth groups around the island into this property, and help sharing our mana'o (beliefs, ideas) and knowledge regarding the wealth of cultural and natural resources that exist along this sacred stretch of coastline (including the robust marine ecosystem adjacent to these shores). We sincerely believe that the purchase of this parcel would protect irreplaceable natural resources, provide long term opportunities for education, and ensure preservation of the rich cultural history in this area; we are committed to help Ala Kahakai Trail Association in their stewardship of these lands. This unique parcel allows for the combined success of adding recreational opportunities, cultural practices, and natural resource management for the populace of this island. Acquiring these lands would help ensure the protection of countless archeological sites, and therefore help perpetuate both Hawaiian values and cultural practices via the living history abundant in this region. Furthermore, maintaining and conserving of wilderness areas like Waikapuna, would protect myriad native wildlife species that inhabit its coastal strand, anchialine pool, and nearshore marine ecosystems. Use of State funds to help purchase this stretch of Kali] coastline is critical and would be significant to our community and the maintenance of a shoreline wilderness area in our rural district. Ka'u maintains the largest portion of undeveloped coastline in the State, and we behoove you to invest in the protection of Waikapuna which sits in the middle of the coastline and is incredibly threatened with development. The future of Waikapuna will largely determine the future of other threatened coastal parcels along the irreplaceable Ka'u coast. Ka 'Ohana 0 Honu'apo is firm in our commitment to "Ka'e Ka'u" (to stand tall) and we will be a part of future efforts to malama Waikapuna. To that respect, we urge you to fund this purchase and this vital opportunity for Hawaii Island to pursue long-term natural resource and community conservation in our district. If we can help in any way with your efforts to protect and preserve the Ka`u coastline, please contact us directly for assistance. Me ka mahalo (with gratitude) for your time and consideration, j_cfP- - vWfr, Megan R. Lamson Ka `Ohana 0 Honu'apo, President Ka `Ohana 0 Honu'apo Board of Directors: Megan Lamson, President Kenneth Sugai, Vice President/Treasurer Nohealani Ka'awa, Secretary Donna Ambrose, Director Lauren Kurpita, Director Chris Manfredi, Director John Replogle, Director and Co-founder I , lM NT OF Ty gP iT United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE .4PCX Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail 73-4786 Kanalani St.,Suite 14 IN REPLY REFER TO Kailua-Kona,HI 96740 September 27, 2016 Legacy Land Conservation Commission Department of Land and Natural Resources 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Subject: Waikapuna, Ka`u, Hawai`i Island Aloha Members of the Legacy Land Conservation Commission, The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail under the National Park Service(NPS)wholeheartedly supports the protection of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipali`iki including the ancient fishing village of Waikapuna in Ka`u. Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail would support this effort in many ways as it aligns with our Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP).NPS support of Ala Kahakai Trail Association in this preservation effort could include assistance with the creation of a management plan,providing cultural and natural resource expertise and other NPS resources,assisting with archaeological site preservation, restoration, and stewardship of the trail and associated cultural sites as determined by the management plan, and potentially holding a conservation easement over the property. Congress established the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail in 2000 to preserve, protect,and where necessary reestablish a large portion of the ancient coastal ala loa(long trail)on Hawai`i Island. The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail unit of the National Park Service is focused on preserving and interpreting a 175-mile trail corridor from `Upolu Point on Hawai`i Island's northern tip down the Kona Coast and around South Point to the eastern boundary of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in Puna. The trail links four National Park Service units, and numerous wahi pana(sacred or storied places) significant to Hawai`i's history and to perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture. It appears that the Waikapuna property has many sites, associated cultural practices and history that would qualify for the National Register of Historic Places, and that may combine to constitute a Traditional Cultural Property (TCP). A traditional cultural property (TCP) is a site or a place,that is eligible for inclusion on the national register because of its association with cultural practices and beliefs that are(1)rooted in the history of a community and passed down through the generations in oral literature or history, and (2) important to maintaining the continuity of the community's traditional beliefs and practices. The vast majority of the Ka`u coast is still undeveloped and presents the State of Hawai`i,the County of Hawai`i,the Federal government, and local communities with the amazing opportunity to invest in the protection of this coastline now for the benefit of all current and future generations. Mahalo for your past support for the purchase and protection of Kaiholena by the 501(c)3 nonprofit Ala Kahakai Trail Association. The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is partnered with Ala Kahakai Trail Association to help plan for and manage the Kaiholena property. Partnering on descendant-led community-based protection and management of the trail and the storied places the trail goes through, it is possible to accomplish together what is not possible alone. Sincerely, /g74cJ( Aric Arakaki Superintendent Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail cc: NPS Pacific West Region Ala Kahakai Trail Association 2 _,- Dennis Han,President Alan Brown,Vice President Kaleo Paik,Secretary Ray Broggini,Treasurer 41111111111111h1- 41111111111111116. 44111111111 Ulu Ching Kconi Fox ^ A v. H A K Ai Linda Galano Waimakalani lona Kalani Souza Aric Arakaki,Ex-officio and NPS Partner Legacy Land Conservation Commission Department of Land and Natural Resources(DLNR) 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325 Honolulu,Hawaii 96813 September 23,2016 Aloha e Members of the Legacy Land Conservation Commission, Ala Kahakai Trail Association(ATA)is willing to take on the kuleana to own and steward the property comprised of portions of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipali`iki, including Waikapuna fishing village in Ka`u, Hawaii,TMK: (3)9-5-007:016. ATA,a non-profit Native Hawaiian organization,was established to ensure that the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is well connected to the community,that Hawaiian values are practiced to foster collaborative partnerships,and to provide guidance for the work of managing and sustaining the trail in perpetuity.Our Board Members are Native Hawaiian and local representatives of each moku(large land division)on the island,and often are part of the old Hawaiian families of the area that they represent. Large coastal subdivisions are being approved and constructed every year on our island,often cutting off or decreasing shoreline access for the local community, and disturbing, destroying,or segmenting off cultural sites. Ranching and fanning are difficult businesses,and are more frequently being replaced by residential subdivisions. In partnership with The Trust for Public Land,we would like to help the Ka`u community preserve both their amazing bio-cultural resources as well as their paniolo lifestyle. The purchase and permanent protection of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipali`iki, including Waikapuna, furthers the Ka`u community's goals of preserving Ka`u's coast,cultural sites,and agricultural way of life. ATA currently owns and stewards a property at Kaiholena,also with significant cultural sites. We are prepared for and welcome the kuleana of ownership and stewardship,and look forward to engaging the Ka`u community, scientists, other community organizations,and Hawaiian cultural practitioners to join us in caring for this irreplaceable wahi pana. ATA, in fulfilling its mission,envisions the lands of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipaliiki,including Waikapuna as a safe guard to protect a section of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail that traverse within its borders. Mahalo for your consideration, Linda Kaleo Paik Secretary Mission: To support and guide a community-managed trail that honors those who came before and perpetuate for those who follow,with respect for Hawaii's past,present and future. P.O. Box 2338,Kamuela,HI 96743 Phone 808-354-7765 Resource Land Holdings, LLC 1530 16th Street, Suite 300 Denver, CO 80202 September 21, 2016 To Whom It May Concern, Ka'u Mahi, LLC, a subsidiary of Resource Land Fund V, LP, is the landowner of Tax Map Key number(3) 9-5-007:016, a 2,209.307-acre property in Ka'u on the Big Island of Hawai'i which includes the ancient fishing village of Waikapuna. Resource Land Holdings, LLC is the general partner of Resource Land Fund V, LP. We are in discussions with The Trust for Public Land about a sale of the property for conservation, cultural preservation, and agricultural purposes. The Trust for Public Land has ordered an appraisal of the property, and if we can reach agreement as to purchase price and closing terms,we would be willing to sell the property. We are voluntarily moving forward with a potential sale to The Trust for Public Land. By: ,r...._ 2—'„_,Z„4/ Name: B on L lich Title: Principal Resource Land Holdings, LLC Cc: Laura H. E. Kaakua The Trust for Public Land 1003 Bishop Street, Ste. 740 Honolulu,Hawaii 96813 laura.kaakua@tpl.org