HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm 26-075.2 - LOS 26-05 TPL-DHHL
JOSH GREEN, M.D. KALI WATSON
GOVERNOR CHAIRPERSON, HHC
STATE OF HAWAII
SYLVIA J. LUKE
KATIE L. LAMBERT
LT. GOVERNOR
DEPUTY TO THE CHAIR
STATE OF HAWAII
STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS
P. O. BOX 1879
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96805
February 17, 2026
VIA EMAIL: ekf@edithkanakaolefoundation.org
Hilo, HI 96720-4914
Re: Support for the protection and purchase of land
To Whom it May Concern,
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) strongly supports Edith
(EKF), and Kula
Road on the mauka side.
protecting significa
one of two intact hula heiau in the Hawaiian Islands.
-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established
in 1990 to maintain and perpetuate the teachings, beliefs, practices, philosophies, and traditions of the late
founded on the teachings and traditional practic
level of Hawaiian cultural knowledge and skills relating to land and resource practices as well as cultural
site restoration, protocol, and ritual.
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands was established under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act
of 1920, the purpose of which is to provide land and support for native Hawaiians to return to
provide homesteading opportunities.
Hawaiian Home Lands Trust and to manage the trust itself.
responsibilities, two priorities are land stewardship and resource management, and cultural
preservation and heritage revitalization. Accordingly, the department is dedicated to sustainable practices
that safeguard our natural resources, preserve cultural heritage sites, and preserve and revitalize the
traditions, language, and practices tha
rich cultural legacy is perpetuated for future generations.
priorities align with the work of EKF.
As premiere traditional knowledge holders, DHHL contractsEKFto assist in important planning
processes for future development of our homesteads. EKF has been critically impactful in how the
department engages with beneficiaries and incorporatesthe place-based knowledge and value of our
homestead communities into thestewardship ofthe biocultural landscape of our land holdings. This
positive impact grounded in the cultural education and teachings have
long-lasting effects that serve to empower our beneficiaries and staff alike to uphold the mission of Prince
K
EKF has a long-standing history of beingexcellent stewards of both knowledge and . Stewarding
for the last ten yearshasfacilitated the return of hula practitioners to the heiau and cultivated
knowledge generation. By purchasing the lands in question, EKF would be able to better maximize their
ability to mlama this wahi pana, protect the heiau, and honor theirina. This
endeavor is a choice, one that DHHL does not imagine EKF has made lightly andis one that DHHL
supports whole-heartedly.
Mahalo for your time and consideration. DHHL looks forward to seeing the protection of this important
wahi pana and the significant sites therein.
Mahalo,
Kali Watson, Chairperson
Hawaiian Homes Commission
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands