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Comm 25-030 <br /> Dear Hawaii County PONC Commission Members, <br /> It is with deep respect and aloha that I submit this letter in strong support of Kupa`Aina o <br /> Keauhou's continued stewardship of Keauhou Bay. <br /> As a community member and kama`aina resident working closely in environmental innovation <br /> and restoration on Hawaii Island, I have had the privilege of witnessing the care and cultural <br /> integrity that Kupa`Aina brings to Keauhou. Their work reflects the living legacy of Aunty <br /> Ha`anio Kong—preserving stories, sites, and traditions that connect Native Hawaiian families to <br /> their ancestral lands and waters. <br /> Through educational programs,hana days, and cultural showcases, Kupa`Aina o Keauhou <br /> consistently uplifts community voices and fosters true connection between people and place. <br /> Their approach, rooted in both protocol and science, ensures that stewardship honors Keauhou as <br /> a Wahl Pana—not a recreational site,but a living cultural landscape. <br /> By contrast, organizations like the Keauhou Canoe Club already hold established access and <br /> privileges through existing leases. Expanding their control at the expense of Native-led <br /> stewardship would displace the very community members whose lineages trace directly to this <br /> place. <br /> Keauhou Bay deserves caretakers who honor its history and its people. Kupa`Aina o Keauhou <br /> has earned the trust and respect of the community through action,not words. I urge the <br /> Commission to continue their stewardship and ensure continuity in this vital work. <br /> Mahalo nui loa for your consideration, <br /> AA-4---,l <br /> Alexia Akbay <br /> Kailua-Kona,HI <br />