HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0021.122 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fundDallas 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
same 63% approved for the 2% Land Fund and a Maintenance Fund to
care for the land of Kawa. Continue the fund for Waikapuna. On Kauai,
Maui, and O'ahu it is very expensive, and few places are still raw and
untouched. Hawaii is full of wildlife, and raw, untouched land. The 63% of
voters want to have the land of Kawa still raw and untouched.
Kawa is important to me because I get to see raw, untouched land
about once or twice a month. Kawa is important to my parents because
they like when I learn at Kawa and come home thinking more about nature
and about my community. They like when I come home telling them all the
activities I got to do at Kawa. To my friends, teachers, parents, and to me,
Kawa is a magical place to be. We are so lucky to go there once or twice a
month. Kumu James Akau, Uncle Duane, Clarissa Pua, and Uncle Kaui
Felder, are lucky to work at Kawa. We are so lucky to have this raw and
undestroyed land called Kawa.
Sincerely,
Dallas Rodrigues