HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm 25-033 re STU.26-04 Comm 25-033
Testimony for Protecting Stewarded Land for Cultural Preservation under Kupa`Aina o Keauhou.
Dear County of Hawai'i,
My name is Cortney Akana. I am submitting this testimony to request that the land Kupa`Aina o
Keauhou has stewarded for cultural preservation remain under this stewardship and not be
taken away, transferred, or repurposed in a way that would sever its living cultural connections.
Personal connection and significance
• Length of familiarity with Keauhou: I grew up and have a deep personal and cultural
connection with Keauhou since 1996.
• Cultural importance: The site holds cultural, historical, and spiritual significance for local
Indigenous communities and for community members who practice ceremonies, teach
traditional skills, and pass intergenerational knowledge there from which I have taken part in.
• Role in cultural continuity: Activities on the land include traditional plant propagation and care,
cultural ceremonies and gatherings, oral-history sharing, and educational programs that connect
youth to ancestral practices.
Stewardship actions and outcomes
• Habitat and resource stewardship: Kupa`Aina o Keauhou has led efforts to restore native plant
communities used for ceremony; implemented erosion-control measures; and protected
sensitive plant stands from trampling and development.
• Cultural programming: Kupa`Aina o Keauhou organized culturally centered gatherings,
seasonal harvests, and intergenerational teaching sessions that strengthen cultural knowledge
and community bonds.
• Access and protection measures: Kupa`Aina o Keauhou has worked to limit disruptive uses,
installed respectful signage, coordinated volunteer stewardship days, and partnered informally
with local cultural knowledge holders to ensure practices align with Indigenous protocols.
Community and intergenerational benefits
• The land provides a safe, accessible place for cultural transmission to youth, elders, and
returned cultural practitioners.
• It supports mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being by sustaining culturally meaningful
practices and connections.
• Maintaining community stewardship prevents cultural displacement and preserves intangible
heritage tied to place.
Closing
The stewardship work already underway demonstrates a sustained, culturally grounded
commitment to this place. Removing stewardship or transferring land without culturally
appropriate protections would cause irreversible harm to living traditions and to the people who
rely on them. I and Kupa`Aina o Keauhou urge you to protect and formalize the community and
Indigenous stewardship of this land so cultural practices can continue to thrive for future
generations.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Cortney Akana