HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm 25-036 re STU.26-04 Comm 25-036
From: Pualei
To: PONC Testimony
Subject: Support for Stewardship by Kupa'Aina O Keauhou
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 1:54:39 PM
Aloha PONC Commission,
My name is Pualei Mahiai, and I am a Native Hawaiian with generations of ancestors
indigenous to the island of Hawaii. Despite being a past member of the Keauhou Canoe Club,
I am writing in support of Kupa `Aina O Keauhou's application for stewardship.
When I joined the Keauhou Canoe Club, it was because I love Keauhou and wanted to be
involved in canoe paddling activities and in taking care of the area. But even as a club
member, I witnessed access to the area as limited exclusively to paid members of the
club, rather than for the community as a whole or for Native Hawaiians who simply wanted to
connect to the `aina and perpetuate its culture and history. There was an unspoken message
that the space was for"the club" and whatever activities "the club"board members decided,
even if activities were not cultural or were held without true cultural intent.
As a Hawaiian, in a Hawaiian place, that was NOT pono.
This is why I strongly support Kupa `Aina O Keauhou. I am intimately familiar with and
love their style of stewardship, which is open, welcoming, and rooted in culture. They invite
lineal descendants to share mo`olelo. They provide opportunities for all people to edify
themselves and reconnect to a place without a membership barrier. They follow County
guidance. And most importantly, they center Native Hawaiian presence not just Hawaiian
aesthetics.
What is disheartening is knowing that the canoe club is aware of Kupa `Aina O Keauhou's
ongoing cultural and stewardship activities for many years,yet there was NO outreach by the
Club to collaborate or support Kupa `Aina's goal of perpetuating the unique culture and
history of the Keauhou area. If the goal is truly to care for Keauhou, then working alongside
the Native Hawaiian group already doing that work should have been the first step not
submitting an application that could displace Kupa `Aina and negatively impact the work that
has been done in the past and for the future.
Stewardship of this `aina should prioritize:
• Native Hawaiian and lineal descendant voices,
• community access,
• and cultural protection led by those with generational relationships to this place.
For these reasons, I believe the most appropriate and culturally grounded steward for this site
is Kupa `Aina O Keauhou, whose mission and work clearly align with PONC's purpose.
Mahalo nui for your time and consideration.
Me ke aloha,
Pualei Mahiai
Native Hawaiian/Keauhou community member