HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1008.004 2016-2018 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
August 6, 2018
1016 AUG —7 AM 10: 22
Laura Kaakua
The Trust for Public Land
1003 Bishop Street, Suite 740
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Re: Conservation Purchase of Waikapuna fishing village in Ka`u, Hawai`i Island,
TMK (3) 9-5-007: 016
Aloha Laura,
On behalf of the Ka'awa 'Ohana of Ka`u, we wholeheartedly support the Ala
Kahakai Trail Association and The Trust for Public Lands efforts to help the Ka`u
community purchase and forever protect the Kahilipalinui and Kahilipali'iki Ahupua'a
inclusive of the fishing village of Waikapuna in Ka'u, Hawaii Island. As `Ghana 'Oiwi with
genealogical origins to Ka'u,we strongly feel that the purchase and protection of these
lands will secure us by ensuring that our practices and our relationship to this sacred
place and space can continue to grow who we are. What is the definition of sacred?As
understood and taught by our Ka`u Kupuna, sacred is something that cannot be replaced
therefore; we wish to see that this place stays pristine and undeveloped.
Waikapuna, from the time our 'Ohana arrived in Ka`u, has and continues to feed
multiple generations. Not just a physical type of feed for example, the fresh tasting
Paku`iku`i who grow so big there that they are blue, or the lobster who is so abundant,
they can be found during daylight or the Wana, so momona and sweet it has a distinct
taste unlike anywhere else, Waikapuna feeds us spiritually and mentally. Kahilipalinui
and Kahilipali'iki is the home of our'Iwi Kupuna. Their bodies are embedded in that
particular`Aina so... that specific `Aina is `Ghana. The land and everything from the native
birds to the native plants have function and is Family! We sustainably continue to give
and receive from Waikapuna, we have a well balanced relationship and kuleana to this
place and my`Ohana and I are here to support the Ala Kahakai Trail Association and The
Trust for Public Land in anyway we can to steward this wahi pana. Our`Aina dictates our
actions thus; we stand here before you today to support this acquisition.
Me ka ha'aha'a,
• Y-4411491---i•
Nohealani Ka'awa
`Ghana Ka'awa
P.O. Box 1001 Na'alehu, Hi 96772
(808) 333-7497
Kaawa.nohea@gmail.com
Comm. Nor t00'•4
Rol. To: Pi
Ref. DateAUG 0 7 2018