HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0021.133 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fundAlden Wells
Student
Volcano School of Arts and Sciences
Volcano, Hawaii 96785
February 5, 2019
Charter Commission
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Aloha Commissioners,
My name is Alden Wells, age 13, and I live in Waiakea Uka with my
parents, David and Lisa Wells, and my sisters, Malia and Nora Wells. We
own land in Ka'u and Waiakea Uka, and pay our land tax. We support the
2% Land -Fund Project, and were one of the 63% majority that voted for the
fund. We want the fund because places that are underdeveloped, such as
Kawa should be protected by the 2% Land Fund because of the cultural
and natural importance. Before we and other people came to Kawa to
protect it and put it back in it's natural and clean way, it was polluted with
plastic and invasive species. Now, after 2 years, have put Kawa back in its
beautiful and natural clean state. Don't make it dirty again by changing the
2% land fund.
What I have learned about Kawa is its cultural significance to the
Hawaiian culture. The rock walls, kalo garden, and spring all expose the
fact that an ancient fishing village used to stand on these grounds. The
spring in Kawa might be the last intact spring in all of the west side of the
island not bought by water companies or rich landowners. The kalo
gardens show how the ancient Hawaiian people got their plant nutrition.
The walls carve out the path into the garden and into the heart of the once
was village. If we don't act and use the 2% land fund for what it's intended
to be used for, we could lose a part of history we can't risk losing.
The value of Kawa to all is a very hard subject to touch. The beach
and pond of the once -village is one that most people can't see. Any tourist
Comm. No. 21.133
who comes in may think it's another beach that is only good for sightseeing
and swimming. If we could teach or put up signs for the tourist to see the
extreme significance this place has, then people would probably care more
about it. If the place is bought by some rich Californian who doesn't live on
the island 90% of the time, the culture of the ancient Hawaiian people will
be lost to golf carts and swimming pools surrounded by hotels. The people
of Ka'u know the significance of the place of Kawa, and are the ones who
want the 2% land fund. The 2% land fund also protects state parks like
Kiholo in the fight for land protection.
Mahalo,
Alden Wells