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Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba
Vice Chair, Hawaiʻi County Council
Council Member, District 8, N. Kona
Office: (808) 323-4280
Email: holeka.inaba@hawaiicounty.gov
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Bldg. A
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.
Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i 96740
DATE: September 20, 2023
TO: Hawai‘i County Youth Commission
FROM: Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba
Vice Chair, Hawaiʻi County Council
SUBJECT: Cultural Grounding in Youth Commission Practices
Aloha Members of the Hawaiʻi County Youth Commission,
I am very excited that the Hawaiʻi County Youth Commission will be actively engaging
with issues that affect our youth and the future of our County. As you discuss policies and
provide our County government with a longlasting perspective, I would like to emphasize the
importance of grounding meetings and practices in Hawaiian cultural values and perspectives.
Hawaiian culture is deeply rooted in values that prioritize ʻāina, kānaka, and most importantly,
aloha. By incorporating these values into your commission's activities, you not only pay homage
to our island heritage but also foster a sense of belonging, unity, and respect among our youth.
As Section 5-3.4(b) of the Hawaiʻi County Charter states that the commission shall select three
adult advisors from the County, I believe that selecting a Hawaiian cultural advisor would be in
the best interest of the commission moving forward.
I look forward to discussing with you the potential ways you can incorporate Hawaiian
perspectives into your commission business and how the commission might go about selecting
an advisor moving forward.
Mahalo nui loa for your commitment to our community, and I look forward to witnessing the
positive outcomes that will result from your efforts as a commission.
HGI/wpb