HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm 25-030 re STU.26-04 Comm 25-030
Dear Hawaii County PONC Commission Members,
It is with deep respect and aloha that I submit this letter in strong support of Kupa`Aina o
Keauhou's continued stewardship of Keauhou Bay.
As a community member and kama`aina resident working closely in environmental innovation
and restoration on Hawaii Island, I have had the privilege of witnessing the care and cultural
integrity that Kupa`Aina brings to Keauhou. Their work reflects the living legacy of Aunty
Ha`anio Kong—preserving stories, sites, and traditions that connect Native Hawaiian families to
their ancestral lands and waters.
Through educational programs,hana days, and cultural showcases, Kupa`Aina o Keauhou
consistently uplifts community voices and fosters true connection between people and place.
Their approach, rooted in both protocol and science, ensures that stewardship honors Keauhou as
a Wahl Pana—not a recreational site,but a living cultural landscape.
By contrast, organizations like the Keauhou Canoe Club already hold established access and
privileges through existing leases. Expanding their control at the expense of Native-led
stewardship would displace the very community members whose lineages trace directly to this
place.
Keauhou Bay deserves caretakers who honor its history and its people. Kupa`Aina o Keauhou
has earned the trust and respect of the community through action,not words. I urge the
Commission to continue their stewardship and ensure continuity in this vital work.
Mahalo nui loa for your consideration,
AA-4---,l
Alexia Akbay
Kailua-Kona,HI