HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0095.003 2018-2020 COUNTY CLERK 0/��
COUNTY OF HAWAII r
RECEIVED 'GOKp'l,Q5
Time 61:50 OM By tje
From: Laura Kelson Date 09/10/2011
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in SUPPORT of(Hui Ho'olei Maluo
Date: Tuesday,April 09,2019 9:32:10 PM
Comm 95: Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Nonprofit grant review process and formation of an ad hoc committee.
From Finance Committee Chair Maile Medeiros David,dated February 1, 2019, describing the nonprofit gran
review process and requesting formation of an ad hoc committee. The ad hoc committee would conduct
application reviews with the applicants for the County's annual nonprofit grant awards and then reported its
findings to the Finance Committee.
Aloha mai e County Council Committee on Finance, •
My name is Laura Kelson, and I am a Hilo native currently working as a teacher with Hilo Intermediate School.
Over the course of my nearly nine years in education, I have had the honor of researching, developing, and
executing a myriad of curriculum founded in local Hawaiian culture and history. One such piece of this curriculum
was created with our native youth and communities in mind. Four years ago, I was tasked with developing a
• summer residential program for rising sixth and seventh graders from across the state. I didn't know where to
begin or how to narrow the focus of my curriculum themes. A mutual friend of mine directed me to contact several
homegrown, grass roots kanaka from Keaukaha who were diligently working to restore Honokea look i'a
(traditional Hawaiian fishpond located at Waiuli[Richardson's Beach Park]). At the time,these four young
Hawaiians were eager to teach the community about their work and fishing practices. These four Hawaiians go by
the name Hui Ho'olei Maluo. I've had the privilege of working with Hui Ho'olei Maluo to write culture-based,site-
specific curriculum in conjunction with other local groups along the Keaukaha shoreline. Never in my life have I
seen such determination,drive, local expertise, and most of all, love, poured into such a revered place. Hui
Ho'olei Maluo strives to educate not only local school groups,but the greater Hilo community and beyond about
the importance of our shoreline ecosystems. This humble and educated group of kanaka are resourceful and
mindful of how their work impacts the environment around them. They are more than worthy of financial support
from the county's grant program;these monies I guarantee will be put toward the youth of our community. This is •
most evident in their quarterly fishpond work days as well as shoreline clean ups in Keaukaha. Hui Ho'olei
Maluo's mission is to cast a net of replenishment thus ensuring the sustainability of Hawaii for its people. I have
seen these kanaka in action, and I will cherish each moment I've had to work alongside them as I learn and in •
turn,teach my students the message of Hui Ho'olei Maluo.
I firmly stand for the county's financial support of Hui Ho'olei Maluo.
E ola. •
•
Laura Kelson
Iaura.kelsonegmail.com
Comm. No. C1,5.3
Ref. To: pft-ci
Ref. Date APR .0.9 2019