Comm No 0021.122 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fund

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Dallas Rodrigues 6th grader Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Volcano, Hawaii 96785 February 7, 2019 Charter Commission Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Aloha Commissioners, My name is Dallas Rodrigues and I am a student at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. My parents are Autumn and Darren Rodrigues. I live in Volcano by my school. Kawa is important because it provided land for the Hawaiians. That is not the only reason why Kawa is important. Kawa is also important for the native plants. From Kawa, I learned how to plant plants like wiliwili, koa, niu, coconut, kukui, and naupaka. I learned that the beauty is all around. The beauty starts once we walk through the gate. We chant to Kawa, and Kawa welcomes us in. I learned how to recognize the invasive plants at Kawa and cut them. I learned how to cut or pull all the invasives, like weeds, so the native plants in the underbrush can see and feel the sunlight. In the future, I want to be able to take my younger siblings to Kawa. I even want to be able to take my grandchildren to Kawa, so they can see all the beauty of Kawa. I also want to be able to see all the native plants we have grown as kids when I am an adult. Kawa isn't only important to my family and friends, Kawa is important to visitors coming to Hawaii because they get to see the real, true meaning and beauty of Kawa. If I were a visitor coming to Hawaii, I would want to see Kawa. Visitors don't want pictures, they want the real Kawa. The Kawa that not everyone gets to see. In 2006, 2010, and 2012, 63% of voters in Hawaii has voted three times to have 2% of the money for Kawa and other precious places. The Comm. No. 21.122