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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm 25-022 re Sugg. 25-07 Comm.25-022 From: Susan Osborne To: Kekai.Malia; Keone Kalawe;Ashley Lehualani Kierkiewicz Subject: Kumukahi questions resonse Date: Saturday,June 21,2025 1:47:44 PM Attachments: Kumukahi Response to PONC Commission 2025.pdf RES 330 Draft 01 2022-2024(Kumukahi)(6).pdf Aloha Malia, Please see attached for our responses. Mahalo Susie and Ashley Comm.25-022 Answers to questions from PONC Commission regarding the Kumukahi application Would Ho'oulu Lahui have the capacity to coordinate the stewardship effort over this vast area (nearly 2,000 acres)? Yes, Ho'oulu Lahui has the proven capacity, experience, and deep cultural grounding to coordinate stewardship of Kumukahi's nearly 2,000 acres. Established in 1995, Ho'oulu Lahui was founded specifically to care for na wahi pana (storied and sacred places) in Puna, and has demonstrated decades of successful stewardship, cultural preservation, and land management. Track Record of Land Stewardship Ho'oulu Lahui secured and managed 600 coastal acres at Pu'ala'a, just down the road from Kumukahi, a culturally and environmentally rich area replete with fishponds, anchialine pools, lowland rainforest, and over 40 acres of archaeological sites, including burials. The organization continues to hold leases on multiple parcels, including 10 acres in Nanawale and five acres along the Pahoa-Kalapana highway. Founder Keikialoha Kekipi is a recognized lineal descendant of both Pu'ala'a and Kumukahi, providing strong genealogical and spiritual connection to the 'aina. Planning & Implementation Capacity Ho'oulu Lahui has developed and executed multiple strategic plans for Puala'a, including a Master Plan (2000), a Forestry Management Plan, and a Waste Management of an Ahupua'a Plan. These plans, developed in consultation with Townscape Inc., were fully implemented and served as models for holistic land ownership. Over 40 acres of archaeological site were mapped and restored, and over 12,000 native plants were planted and grown to support ecosystem restoration and distributed to the community. Organizational & Financial Capacity Ho'oulu Lahui has successfully secured and managed over$20 million in local, county, state and federal grants over these past 30 years. This funding has supported programmatic, facilities, and stewardship initiatives, demonstrating strong administrative capacity and accountability. Community-Based Approach Ho'oulu Lahui is not working in isolation. It has built deep, lasting partnerships with local organizations, cultural practitioners, and community members. The successful development of Kua O Ka La, a Native Hawaiian charter school, which emerged from Ho'oulu Lahui's education and stewardship programs, speaks to the organization's ability to translate land-based practices into long-term community institutions. In recent years, Ho'oulu Lahui has actively engaged community stakeholders to prepare for coordinated stewardship at Kumukahi. Preparedness for Kumukahi The reopening of Lighthouse Road opening, and the increasing exposure of sensitive sites, including iwi kupuna, cultural artifacts, and endangered habitats, have heightened the urgency for a trusted, capable entity to lead coordination of stewardship. Ho'oulu Lahui is ready and able to lead this effort by coordinating planning, securing and managing funding, and managing community collaborations. 1 Comm.25-022 Has any work been done on developing a Comprehensive Area Management and Stewardship Plan? Yes, significant foundational work has already been done toward the development of a Comprehensive Area Management and Stewardship Plan for Kumukahi. Ho'oulu Lahui, whose members include the recognized lineal descendants of the iwi kupuna desecrated at Kumukahi, has long been engaged in planning and advocacy efforts to protect this culturally and historically significant landscape. Their deep pilina (relationship/connection) to the land, as well as decades of stewardship experience, have guided internal planning, community engagement, and formal consultant processes since 2021. Ho'oulu Lahui worked closely with the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) and the Hawai'i Island Burial Council to secure an approved Burial Treatment Plan for the UH Hilo parcel at Kumukahi. This plan, which took decades to advance, will be implemented upon the reopening of Lighthouse Road. However, this plan covers only a portion of the area and leaves many other burial sites and cultural features unprotected, further underscoring the need for a full-area management plan. In October 2023, the Hawai'i County Council unanimously adopted Resolution 330-23 (attached), urging the protection of iwi kupuna and calling for collective action to preserve and manage the cultural and natural resources of Kumukahi. The resolution recognized Ho'oulu Lahui as a lead organization in providing both immediate and long-term stewardship and project management for the area. 330-23 also aligns with FEMAs serious consideration of analysis that Kumukahi qualifies as a Historic District eligible for nomination on the National Register. Finally, this resolution also sets in motion key funding mechanisms for both development of a comprehensive preservation/management plan, and, crucially, its implementation in coordination with all relevant stakeholders, under the time-tested and capable management of Ho'oulu Lahui, 501c(3). Since 2021, Ho'oulu Lahui has convened regularly to address threats to Kumukahi posed by the reopening of Lighthouse Road. Internal discussions explored protective designations such as World Heritage Site or UNESCO National Area status, and a dedicated website was created (hiirwin.wixsite.com/whspuna) to share research and advocacy efforts. This planning engaged UH faculty, other heritage site managers, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. With support from a grant, Ho'oulu Lahui commissioned an ethnographic study of Kula, the ahupua'a that includes Kumukahi. Thousands of historical and cultural documents, many in Hawaiian, were gathered to inform a culturally grounded and place-specific management plan. These materials are integral to understanding the significance of the land and ensuring any management framework is rooted in mo'oku'auhau (genealogy) and cultural context. In fall 2023, Ho'oulu Lahui engaged Townscape Inc., a trusted planning firm with experience in culturally sensitive and ecologically complex areas, to develop a phased scope of work for the Kumukahi Preservation and Management Plan. The scope includes (full phase details attached): • Phase 1: Preliminary identification of critical issues through outreach and consultations • Phase 2: Deep analysis of natural, cultural, and regulatory impacts • Phase 3: Draft alternative concepts and community consultations 2 Comm.25-022 • Phase 4: Draft and final Environmental Assessment (EA), including a Cultural Impact Assessment • Phase 5: Pre Final Preservation and Management Plan • Phase 6: Final Kumukahi Preservation and Management Plan Quotes were provided for both minimal and comprehensive approaches. A funding request was submitted to the County Planning Department via the Geothermal Fund, but was denied due to concerns over fragmented ownership and the feasibility of implementation. This funding barrier catalyzed the realization that consolidating ownership through the County's PONC program is the only viable path forward. This would enable comprehensive planning, coordinated stewardship, and long-term protection. Since then, Council Member Kierkiewicz reinvigorated this effort by meeting with all landowners within the Kumukahi area, securing letters of interest or willingness to sell, and with Ho'oulu Lahui has built a coalition of collaborators and stakeholders to support stewardship under a unified management framework. Is there a list of the persons who have expressed interest in stewarding this property? Yes, there is a robust and growing list of community partners that have emerged to support the ongoing and long-term stewardship of Kumukahi. These partners include nonprofit organizations, cultural practitioners, government entities, and academic institutions, all of whom bring unique expertise, resources, and long-standing relationships to this sacred and culturally significant landscape. Below is a summary of individuals and organizations that have expressed formal or demonstrated interest in stewardship. Recognized Lineal Descendants & Core Stewardship Organizations Ho'oulu Lahui is the lead fiscal and organizational steward. Established in 1995, it has managed over$20 million in grants and successfully led large-scale community development and stewardship efforts across Lower Puna, including the 600-acre Pu'ala'a site. Co-founder Keikialoha Kekipi is one of two recognized lineal descendants of Kumukahi and a central figure in the protection of iwi kupuna. Kuamo'o Legacy Foundation Executive Director Keone Kalawe is the other recognized lineal descendant of Kumukahi and whose family foundation members are all from the Kumukahi area, will be key partners in the stewardship management. With decades of experience mapping heiau or cultural sites (37), fully restoring heiau (9), and reviving the ancient Hawaiian sport holua sledding, his expertise will guide cultural aligned educational programming. A Memorandum of Agreement between Ho'oulu Lahui and Kuamo'o Legacy Foundation is currently being drafted to outline their shared kuleana. Nonprofit& Environmental Organizations • Malama O Puna, an environmental preservation and advocacy nonprofit, is stewarding the PONC property Wai'ele. They have offered consultation and volunteer support for stewardship activities such as 'aina work days. • Pahoa Lava Zone Museum will lead the planting of canoe crop and native species to support cultural restoration and regenerative economy. The focus will be on planting 3 Comm.25-022 species that early Polynesians brought to Hawai'i, as well as those needed by local crafts persons and lei makers, including 'ape (elephant's ear), 'awa (kava), 'awapuhi kuahiwi (shampoo ginger), hau, ipu (gourd), kalo (taro), kamani (alexandrian laurel), ki (ti), ko (sugar cane), kou, kukui (candlenut), mai'a (banana), mamaki, milo (portia tree), niu (coconut), noni (indian mulberry), 'ohe (bamboo), 'ohi'a lehua, 'ohi'a 'ai (mountain apple), 'olena (tumeric), olona, pia (polynesian arrowroot), 'uala (sweet potato), uhi (yam), 'ulu (breadfruit), and wauke (paper mulberry). • Puna Canoe Club has also expressed an interest in being involved with canoe crops. • Haloa Mau a Mau: Nicholas Francisco is a primary member and cultural educator with the non profit Haloa Mau a Mau. He specializes in harvesting native woods and to handcraft poi boards and pounders, and teaches the full cultural practice from cultivation of kalo to harvesting and pounding the poi, as part of an integrated board and stone class. Over the past year, he was supported by Ho'oulu Lahui to work closely with students at Kua O Ka La to successfully create nine poi boards and poi pounders. • Hui Aloha 'Aina o Puna was established in the late 1800's, and is involved in the cultural education and 'aina-based work in the region. • Malama Ke Kumu focuses on 'awa production and cultural education, an appropriate crop for Kumukahi, and are solid partners for collaborative land use. • Ho'a'a i Kanalani are experts in ethnobotanical gardens, based in nearby Nanawale, supporting 'awa cultivation and community access to traditional medicine and knowledge. • The Sierra Club Hawai'i Island Group through Representative Deb Ward, formally expressed strong support of Resolution 330-23 and is committed to helping preserve Kumukahi as a historic district eligible for the National Register. • Men of Pa'a is a mens cultural restitution and healing program for post incarcerated men. They have assisted in Kumukahi clean up of trash and are interested in assisting with security of the area, which will be critical to our success. • Ala Nui is dedicated to promoting indigenous healing through a holistic approach that includes traditional foods, therapeutic practices, native plants and medicines, and physical wellness. Cultural&Educational Institutions • Order Kamehameha O Puna is a cultural society, rooted in the time of Kamehameha V, which supports the continuation of traditional cultural protocol and is active in service and Hokule'a voyages. • University of Hawai'i Hawaiian Studies Division is interested in contributing to interpretive planning, research, and language work at Kumukahi. Each summer, Kumukahi is highlighted in teacher training programs with a presentation by lineal descendant Keone Kalawe. 4 Comm.25-022 • University of Hawaii is committed to transferring ownership of its land parcels to the County and funding the implementation of the Burial Treatment Plan. • Polynesian Voyaging Society, under the leadership of Nainoa Thompson, has expressed interest in co-developing a navigation school centered around Kuku'i Heiau, a historically significant navigational and astronomical site. Government Agencies • Dept. of Land & Natural Resources is committed to transferring State-owned parcels to the County to enable coordinated and permanent stewardship. • State and National Trail Systems E Mau Na Ala Hele and Ala Kahakai will be engaged to help map and develop a trail system through Kumukahi. Grassroots Groups • Ohana o Kumukahi, a core group of 15-20 very engaged individuals from the surrounding area, have convened regularly over the years and are fully committed to supporting stewardship, community mobilization, and activation of support networks. I am curious as to know what"the art of poison" means as part of the cultural practices. In this context, "the art of poison" refers to trarefers to traditional Hawaiian knowledge and practices involving the use of native plants and natural substances for various cultural, scientific, and practical purposes. It does not refer to harmful or malicious use, but rather to a specialized body of We (knowledge) used in responsible, intentional, and often ceremonial ways. This art is no longer practiced and we referenced is solely for information on the historical significance of cultural practices in the area. At Kumukahi, this practice was associated with the Kuki'i Heiau, a sacred site connected to navigation, astronomy, and this deeper plant-based knowledge system. Here's how "the art of poison" was understood and applied: • Stunning birds or fish: Certain native plants were used to temporarily sedate birds (for feather collection without harm) or fish (to make them easier to catch to study for example the eggs). This was done respectfully and sustainably. • Feather gathering for capes ('ahu 'ula): Brightly colored feathers were used in the creation of regal capes and helmets worn by ali'i (chiefs). Knowledge of plant-based compounds helped practitioners gently subdue birds so feathers could be collected without killing them. • Anesthetic use: Extracts from native plants were used as mild anesthetics for teething children, tooth aches minor surgeries, or relief of pain, reflecting the sophisticated understanding of medicinal plants. Awa is a compound of novocaine. • Scientific and cultural research: Some compounds from these plants were valuable for early biological studies or spiritual rituals, especially those linked to healing and transformation. 5 Comm.25-022 Has there been a thought to doing a conservation easement? Yes, the possibility of establishing a conservation easement has been considered. Through discussions with landowners, the Tobins are currently the only party that has expressed a clear willingness to pursue this option. They own two parcels and are deeply interested in participating in the overall stewardship of the Kumukahi area. Their vision includes community-based agriculture and forestry, and they have indicated a desire to protect their land through a conservation easement. Additionally, they are willing to host a caretaker on-site and have generously offered to donate a portion of their property to accommodate bathroom facilities to support public use of the larger area. Hawai'i Land Trust has offered technical assistance and guidance to help facilitate the conservation easement process for willing landowners like the Tobins. However, it is important to note that a conservation easement is not a feasible solution for all 14 parcels under consideration. To ensure coordinated preservation, cultural protection, and stewardship of Kumukahi, full consolidation of ownership remains essential. A unified and comprehensive management plan can only be effectively developed and implemented if all properties are under a single managing entity. 6 Comm.25-022 Draft Scope for Management Plan PHASE 1: PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL ISSUES. PRODUCT: "KUMUKAHI: PRELIMINARY SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ISSUES." Included here: initial outreach/meetings/consultation with key community groups and individuals and with key County, State and Federal agencies. PHASE 2: IN-DEPTH PLANNING: DOCUMENT AND ANALYZE CRITICAL KUMUKAHI RESOURCES AND IMPACT ISSUES: NATURAL, CULTURAL, COMMUNITY, INFRASTRUCTURE, REGULATORY. Include a preliminary inventory and analysis of possible State level and Federal level designations that may be appropriate/feasible for the preservation and management of KUMUKAHI lands and KUMUKAHI cultural and natural resources. Design and begin to implement an intensive community consultation process. (If adequate funding is available, the consultant team would include sub consultants with expertise in the areas of Archaeology, Cultural Impacts, Ecology and Civil Engineering.) PHASE 3: DRAFT PLAN FOR KUMUKAHI —The planning team will develop several ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTS for the protection and preservation of KUMUKAHI LANDS AND RESOURCES, and will present and refine these concepts through a series of community meetings and discussions with key County, State and Federal agencies. This phase of the planning work will culminate in the development of a KUMUKAHI DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN that will be made available to community members and to interested public agencies for review and comment. PHASE 4: The consultant team will develop a Draft ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ("DEA') in accordance with State of Hawaii environmental laws and guidelines. The DRAFT EA will be published in the State's "Environmental Bulletin." The Draft EA will include a DRAFT CULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT. After the end of the public comment period on the Draft EA, Townscape planners and project subconsultants will put together and publish the FINAL EA for the KUMUKAHI DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN. PHASE 5: Based on the results of the EA process and the planning work completed to date, Townscape planners and the other members of the consultant Team will put together the pre-final KUMUKAHI PRESERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN, and make this prefinal plan available for public review and comment. This phase of the planning work will include discussions with appropriate County, State and Federal agencies regarding special designations for Kumukahi lands and resources. PHASE 6: The project team will finalize the KUMUKAHI PRESERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN. Quotes were provided for a low budget concept plan, and a well researched preservation and management plan. The quotes and request were submitted to the County Planning Department managing the Geothermal funds with a request for support. This request was denied based upon the multiple land owners and the projected inability to develop and manage and area with so many property owners. 7 Comm.25-022 VNtY OF New �I d%Ci COUNTY OF HAWAI`I t= STATE OF HAWAI`I 7rE Of•M►� RESOLUTION NO. 330 23 A RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING PROTECTION OF IWI KUPUNA AT KUMUKAHI AND COLLECTIVE ACTION TO PRESERVE AND MANAGE THE CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF KUMUKAHI. WHEREAS, Ka Lae o Kumukahi, in the ahupua`a of Kula, District of Puna, is where the rising sun first touches Hawaii and is among the most celebrated wahi pana(storied and sacred places) in all of the Hawaiian Islands as well as a pu`uhonua(place of refuge); and WHEREAS,the preservation and protection of iwi kupuna(traditional burials) and moepu (funerary objects) at Kumukahi, including the reinterment of iwi and moepu that have been disturbed, has been a longstanding issue; and WHEREAS, in 2018,the Kilauea Eruption in lower Puna produced over one billion cubic yards of lava that covered residential areas, destroyed precious ecosystems, and completely transformed the coastline of Puna from Kumukahi to Pohoiki; and WHEREAS, Kumukahi-Lighthouse Road, which has historically provided access to Kumukahi, was partially inundated during the 2018 eruption and is scheduled for restoration, presenting both opportunities and challenges in terms of cultural preservation, management of natural resources, and resolution of historically neglected land and road ownership ambiguities; and WHEREAS,property owners, direct lineal descendants of Kumukahi, and government stakeholders play a vital role in protecting and preserving iwi kupuna from exposure to indiscriminate,uninformed human influence, allowing traditional cultural information to come forth; and WHEREAS,the County Planning Department has convened the University of Hawaii, State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs,property owners in the vicinity of Kumukahi, and direct lineal descendants since 2020 to resolve iwi kupuna issues through development of a burial treatment and preservation plan for certain sites; and WHEREAS, a new black sand beach has accreted near Kumukahi, accessible only by traversing private property near unmarked cemeteries and hazardous for recreational ocean entry, highlighting the need for area management and stewardship in preparation of road restoration as Kapoho is one of a very few ocean access points in Puna; and WHEREAS, a collaborative approach involving the County, State, direct lineal descendants, community stakeholders and organizations with expertise in cultural preservation and `aina stewardship, and Puna residents is essential to ensuring the management and stewardship of Kumukahi that safeguards iwi kupuna and cultural features,preserves the natural environment, ensures access for lawai`a subsistence lifestyle, and fosters sustainable economic and workforce development for direct lineal descendants and area residents; and WHEREAS,Ho`oulu Lahui, a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization founded in Puna in 1995 for the purpose of awakening Hawaiian culture,values,beliefs,and lifestyle in partnership with the community to achieve unity,harmony, and total well-being, has agreed to provide immediate and long-term support through community engagement and project management; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I that the iwi kupuna and other cultural and historical features at Kumukahi be preserved'and protected to honor the significance of this site. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that immediate and long-term measures be taken to limit exposure to known burial sites and cultural features. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Planning Department continue to convene all relevant government agencies and community stakeholders to facilitate the protection and preservation of iwi kupuna, and foster the management and stewardship of Kumukahi with the full participation of all parties. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that community-based solutions, area management, and stewardship initiatives be rooted in cultural and historical practices, and involve as well as empower direct lineal descendants and resident stakeholders to be part of planning and implementation. 2 Comm.25-022 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs commit necessary resources and support for the development and ongoing implementation of an area management and stewardship plan. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Mayor of Hawaii County; the Honorable Board of Trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs;the Honorable Members of the Hawaii State Legislature;the Chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources;the Members of the State Board of Land and Natural Resources; the Director of the Department of Planning;the Director of the Department of Public Works; the Director and Deputy of the Department of Research and Development;Hawaii County Disaster Recovery Officer;the Executive Director of Ho`oulu Ldhui; and Dr. Gregory Chun, Executive Director of the Center for Maunakea Stewardship. Dated at , Hawai`i, this _day of 520 . INTRODUCED BY: COUN ItIL MBER,' COUNTY OF HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE County of Hawaii AYES NOES ABS EX Hilo, Hawaii EVANS GALIMBA I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by INABA the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KAGIWADA County of Hawaii on KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER KIERKIEWICZ ATTEST: KIMBALL LEE LOY VILLEGAS Reference: C-559/GOEAC COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. e330 23 3