HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm 26-018.2 - LOS 26-06 Kusch, Matthias
Comm 26-018.2
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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STATE OF HA!LͷL
STATECAPITOL
415 SOUTH BERETANIA STREET
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March 3, 2026
Hawaii County PONC Commission
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1101
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
RE: Support for Shoreline Easement for Hakalauiki (Manamanas)
Aloha PONC Commission,
I am writing in strong support of the application to purchase the shoreline easement of
Hakalauiki (TMK 2-9-002:001). As a lifelong fisherman and small farmer, I learned early that
your livelihood depends on how well you care for the places that feed you. I stand with
organizations working to protect shoreline access and cultural landscapes, and I proudly
endorse the work of Kmaulihou, a nonprofit dedicated to coastal stewardship and responsible,
community based management.
During the days of the sugar plantations, access to these areas was far more open. Families
fished, gathered, and spent time along the cliffs and coves, places where we learned to read the
tides, harvest responsibly, and respect both land and ocean. Since the plantations closed,
access has tightened little by little. What was once loosely open to local families is now
increasingly restricted, and that loss is deeply felt.
For those of us who depend on the ocean and the land not only for food but for identity,
preserving the Hakalau shoreline is essential. These are places where kpuna walked, where
generations learned to fish, and where keiki still go to feel the salt spray and understand where
they come from.
ΘYĻĻƦźƓŭ ƌƚĭğƌ ŅğƒźƌźĻƭ ĭƚƓƓĻĭƷĻķ Ʒƚ ƷŷĻźƩ ŷźƭƷƚƩǤ
Θ9ƓƭǒƩźƓŭ ƭğŅĻ ğƓķ ƌĻgal shoreline access
ΘtƩĻƭĻƩǝźƓŭ ƓğƷźǝĻ ĻĭƚƭǤƭƷĻƒƭ ğƓķ ĭǒƌƷǒƩğƌ ƭźƷĻƭ
Θ!ƌƌƚǞźƓŭ ŅźƭŷźƓŭ ğƓķ ŭğƷŷĻƩźƓŭ ƷƩğķźƷźƚƓƭ Ʒƚ ĭƚƓƷźƓǒĻ
Strong preservation ensures that these places remain alive for future generations not locked
away behind gates or lost to private interests.
Comm 26-018.2
Page 2
I stand firmly behind the efforts of Kmaulihou. I support community led stewardship, culturally
grounded access management, and the long-term prƚƷĻĭƷźƚƓ ƚŅ IğƉğƌğǒƭ ƓğƷǒƩğƌ ğƓķ ĭǒƌƷǒƩğƌ
resources. Whether through advocacy, restoration work, or sharing my experience as a
fisherman and farmer, I am committed to keeping this shoreline cared for and accessible.
Mahalo for your time, and for your continueķ ĭƚƒƒźƷƒĻƓƷ Ʒƚ ƦƩƚƷĻĭƷźƓŭ ƚǒƩ ĭƚƒƒǒƓźƷǤƭ
irreplaceable natural and cultural resources.
Sincerely,
Matthias Kusch
State of Hawai'i
House of Representatives
District 1
(Kaumana, Portion of Hilo, Hamakua)