Last night I got a phone call from a Global Cultural Analyst requesting an interview with me about North Kohala on Wednesday, November 4th at 9am. I trust the group that this person represents because they GET THE WORD OUT to those that can help communities like ours and even yours too. Our attitude is KEEP KOHALA, KOHALA - you know what that means: UNCHANGED for the most part.Briefly, here is an overview of what the research is all about and then some questions to ponder. The questions are designed to enhance or expand the view of one’s own community and not given to be specifically answered, but more of ideas to hold as you think about where you live.Overview:A 501 (c) 3 non-profit group for Social Ecology and Public Policy committed to growing public policy out of the natural systems within every community has made a grant to focus on researching the social and economic criteria under which heart and soul are maintained over time-- through economic instabilities, through development pressures, through restoration and recovery. The geographic area of North Kohala has been chosen because of the 40 year history of citizen activism in preserving and enhancing their sense of place through the commitment to citizen empowerment.The social and economic criteria identification includes how heart and soul has been handed on in the culture over this 40 year period. The presence and strength of cultural attachment to the land, place and social kinship relations is important to understand. Also the project will identify what processes the community has developed to absorb outsiders into their culture, in order that they become a contributing member of North Kohala.Researching heart and soul in this geographic area is enhanced by the recent outstanding community effort to produce the North Kohala Community Development Plan. This plan lays out a road map for the present and future accomplishments in the geographic area in order to control their physical, biological, social, cultural and economic environments.Discovery Questions:Why do you live here?Why do you stay here?What would make it better?What do you think are the heart and soul elements of your community?What do you see as the actions that have historically enhanced heart and soul?What have been some impediments in the past that hampered the development of heart and soul?How were they overcome or processed?What are the current impediments that are or could potentially hamper the growth of heart and soul?What do you see as the current actions that are enhancing heart and soul?Probably the process of developing the NKCDP would rank high.NOTE: NKCDP = North Kohala Community Development Plan. Also, our grassroots group has just found out about the OPALA BILL 112 which passed Legislation under Cindy Evans - it gives developers rights under this Ag Bill to override any other laws protecting land issues - WTH? We are at work to attempt to amend this OPALA AG BILL - it came out in the last 1.5 months - we found out when anonymously someone sent out packet of information regarding what this bill does. MAHALO TO THAT ANONYMOUS PERSON WHO HAVE EXPOSED WHO ON THE BIG ISLAND AND OUTSIDE OF OUR ISLAND HAVE PUSHED THIS THRU WITH CINDY EVANS' HELP.
Aloha Noe'lani, Hamakua does not fall into the category of its own community fighting for their rights on land, water, air, economy, housing, etc like we have for the last 40 years but most certainly I will speak on examples like this and how we have a kinship to 'aina. At least this is my take on approach but I am open to what 'uhane has in store for the message. I can give history sure but its the emotional contact/perspective that they are also embracing as an enlightenment factor. Kind of a wake up and be alert all other small town communities who are tirelessly at work for the greater good of po'e.
Mahalo Miliaulani and God Bless you and po'e fighting your battles on Kaua'i we are all in the same race against time to make right the wrongs and keep things in historical preservation. It's an ongoing battle till the end...SMILE.
We must remain ever vigilant in protection of aina kupuna. Mahalo nui for your activism in Kohala... ke one hanau of my kupuna....Kamaka, Paku, Pahoa, Aiwohi. Returned recently to moku o Keawe and drove only as far as Kamuela to visit my Aunty. Had to turn around and return to Hilo to make my flight out. Really wanted to visit Kohala but didn't have time. I appreciate your efforts. Have our own battles to fight on Kaua'i o Manokalanipo so I am glad to know a Naihe is fighting the battle in Kohala.
Good luck to you.
E KA LA MAI! Sorry, that I did not answer per se your e-mail. E KALA MAI A MILLION! Ha! Ha!
Mahalo! For the above information. Maybe the "GCA," should ought to be present for the
S-A-L-E of HAMAKUA LANDS, in their "closed door" session, that is scheduled in Hilo
on November 5, A.D. 2009. The allege "culprits" are back to HANA HOU the Lands
that are in question??? I AM, on Moewee(Maui) No Ka Oe, as I typed written this
mana'o. Hope, to see you soon??? Again, Mahalo A Nui Loa, for the disclosure. With
Aloha Nui for The Mana'o:Noe'Lani.
Comments
Mahalo Miliaulani and God Bless you and po'e fighting your battles on Kaua'i we are all in the same race against time to make right the wrongs and keep things in historical preservation. It's an ongoing battle till the end...SMILE.
Good luck to you.
E KA LA MAI! Sorry, that I did not answer per se your e-mail. E KALA MAI A MILLION! Ha! Ha!
Mahalo! For the above information. Maybe the "GCA," should ought to be present for the
S-A-L-E of HAMAKUA LANDS, in their "closed door" session, that is scheduled in Hilo
on November 5, A.D. 2009. The allege "culprits" are back to HANA HOU the Lands
that are in question??? I AM, on Moewee(Maui) No Ka Oe, as I typed written this
mana'o. Hope, to see you soon??? Again, Mahalo A Nui Loa, for the disclosure. With
Aloha Nui for The Mana'o:Noe'Lani.