HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0021.132 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fundMolly Denny
Volcano School of Arts and Sciences
Volcano, Hawaii 96785
February 5, 2019
Charter Commision
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Aloha Commissioners,
My name is Molly Denny, my parents are Megan and Justin and we live in
Wood Valley (which is the mountains of Pahala).
I am honored to go to Kawa twice a month with my class, and I feel that way
because it's beautiful, sacred and natural. Also because I learn about the sacred
times and native things, like the plants and what they can do, and how we can care
for them.
Kawa is important to everyone on our island, even to the ones who don't know
about it, because it's important to learn about the old ways of the island, what it
used to be and what it really is. I believe Kawa is beautiful and sacred and needs to
be preserved.
Kawa is important for the world, because Hawaiian culture is saved there and
we learn about it and need to keep it. It is sacred and beautiful and I feel that
people should experience it. All the native plants and fish. We spent lots of time on
it and it's very pretty. And I hope future generations get to see it, because
hopefully they'll get to learn about it and if they're Hawaiian learn about their
ancestors there.
Before our class went to Kawa, there was trash and plants were overgrown.
There was less space, and it seemed uncared for. Now there's more space, less
Comm. No. 21.132
invasive plants and more native ones, and no trash. Kawa is being restored and is
beautiful. We need to keep it being a good part of Hawai'i.
The Big Island of Hawai'i wants the land fund. It was voted three times
majority for land fund. We want to preserve old Hawai'i and Kawa is a part of that.
We are very lucky to have Kawa. There is only 14 properties acquired since 2006.
The total land acquired was 4,428 acres, with an additional 2,200 acres coming
soon from Waikapuna in Ka'u. Sacred land is important to Hawaii, we need to save
it. Maui is getting more expensive too, every island is, Hawaii remaining the most
affordable. Oahu too! Oahu has the biggest city, Honolulu, which the average rent
is $1,985. Hawaii's average rent is $1,194. Kauai's average rent is $1,238 and
Maui's average rent is $1,286. We are the last affordable island left for locals.
Because of this, the Big Island will have more
people moving here because everyone wants to be in paradise.
Please keep the land fund so our most precious places can be saved and
remind us of how beautiful this island is.
Mahalo, Molly