Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Brian Neilson, of the Dept. of Aquatic Resources atstate Dept. of Land & Natural Resources, led the public hearings on
Wednesday concerning Miloli'i. Kaimi Kaupiko was one of many who supported rules that set regulations for fishing.
Image from Zoom public hearing. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

A GREAT MAJORITY OF TESTIFIERS SUPPORTED PROPOSED MILOI'I COMMUNITY-BASED SUBSISTENCE FISHING AREA rules, which could soon be established with final approval of the state Board of Natural Resources, the Attorney General and Gov. David Ige. Two public hearings were held on Wednesday, one by zoom, and the other in person at the Miloli'i Pavilion. Much testimony was given about the importance of scientific data and local knowledge of fishermen and other community members who have taken care of the reef and the fish population for many generations.
    The hearing was led by Brian Neilson, of the state Department of Aquatic Resources. Ka'imi Kaupiko, who heads up the community organization Kamalani, which worked with agencies, other non-profits and the community to come up with proposed regulations, said, "This is our time and our promise to the 

Leivallyn Ka`upu pointed to the increase in development
and tourists who impact natural resources.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

kupuna," referring to the rules being created from knowledge of stewarding the nearshore waters, handed down in the community of Miloli'i for generations. He described Miloli'i as not only the last Hawaiian fishing village, but also "one of the last of its kind," with "little in the way of material wealth and modern amenities." He said people live simple and noted that much of the demographics remain - native Hawaiian with fishing a main occupation.
    U'ilani Naipo, like Kaupiko, described herself as a lineal descendent of the place, where many generations of stewards continued to feed and maintain the fish population, with their traditional and customary protection standards. "Miloli'i is our home, our piko; we malama this place and feed our people," she said. She and others asked for more protection in the proposed 86 mile long Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area, to include a ban on fishing for certain species until they can recover their populations.

Miranda Steed, of Lana'i, was one of many  supporters from
 other fishing communities who supported the Miloli'i effort.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

     Leivallyn Ka'upu said she has seen a huge increase in development and tourists who "impact our natural resources." She noted that the possibility of designation of protections for the Fishing Area came up in 2005 and asked that no more time to go by before the rules are finalized. She and others talked about not just saving marine species but striving for "recovery of their abundance."
    Another speaker noted that Miloli'i was known for weaving sennet rope and that its waters are where marine life thrives in the meeting of swirling currents from Kona and from the south.
    Charles Young, a fisherman from Kealia, said he and his three children all learned from Miloli'i fishermen who taught them to "take for your family's table and leave plenty for the rest of us." He said it will take more rules for the fish to recover at Miloli'i.                 Another speaker, Kawika Winter, gave his entire testimony in Hawaiian. A number of speakers gave parts of their testimony in Hawaiian.

Charles Young, of Kealia, thanked the fishermen
of Miloli'i for teaching him and his family.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

    Speakers from other  islands, from Lana'i, Moloka'i, Maui and Ha'ena on Kaua'i threw their support behind the Miloli'i proposal. Testimony contended that Ha'ena has shown through scientific data that protection of the fishing area with seasonal off-limits, bag limits 
and other no-take rules, increased the fish population.
   A number of speakers said Miloli'i residents and their knowledge have helped to establish Subsistence Fishing Areas elsewhere. Mahina Poepoe, of Moloka'i said she supports Miloli'i's "incredible efforts put into the development, outreach and advocacy," in developing its plan. "We are beginning to restore a future of abundance for the next generation," She described the efforts across the state as "more together than separate," and said creating the Subsistance Fishing Areas is "like making a patchwork quilt.

U'ilani Naipo was one of the lineal descendants
in Miloli'i supporting the fishing rules.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

She also said, "Progress can be regress," including going back to the ocean and traditional practices of of the past - "that's progress." She said that with climate change and the geopolitical situation, including war, restoration of resources needs to move quickly. "We don't have time to pander and placate to commercial self interests."
    Billy Kinney, an urban planning student from Hanalei, talked about the return of "inspired, empowered and equipped community members." He also welcomed settler allies, partners, co-conspirators and new maka'iana'a who have joined in the movement to restore marine resources.
    See more in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs. Go to the following links to view or download:

Jeanette Akiu Howard celebrating her
90th birthday in 2013 with Kumu
Hula Lorie Shirakawa at Pāhala
Managers House. Before her 99th
 birthday, Howard will fly to Las
 Vegas for a Kaʻū High Class reunion.
Photo by Julia Neal

Revised draft rule, Management plan, and Administrative record. Also see www.Kalanihale.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano

KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY ALUMNI HAVE TWO DAYS to sign up to receive a discounted rate to attend the Oct. 28-30 school reunion to be held in Las Vegas. Forty-eight have signed up so far, according to organizer Glenn Kawachi.
    The earliest graduating class representative will be Jeanette Akiu Howard, Class of 1942. She is 98 years old and is headed from her Punalu'u Home across from Black Sand Beach to the airport for the trip to Las Vegas with school mates whose graduation dates are all much later than hers. Akiu Howard graduated in 1942 and has been a teacher of Hawaiian language and culture in the schools and the community for much of her life. Her home is affectionately known as Tutu's House at Punalu'u.
    Alumni will fly into Vegas from as far flung places as North Carolina, Washington and California, as well as the Hawaiian Islands. To sign up, contact Glenn Kawachi at mrgyk50@outlook.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano

THE MAN WHO DIED TUESDAY AT ENTRANCE TO HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, after his motorcycle collided with a small SUV at the intersection of Highway 11, has been identified as 21-year-old Hawaiʻi Island resident Seth White.

    Police have determined that speed and inattention are major factors in this incident. They are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2329 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 in Hilo.

    The fatal collision occurred around 7:52 a.m. when the 2006 Suzuki motorcycle operated by White crashed into a small SUV that was making a left turn into the park. White was heading towards Hilo on Highway 11. He was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased at 9:03 a.m. The 65-year-old female driver of the SUV was the sole occupant of the vehicle and reported no injuries.
    The collision closed both lanes of Highway 11 near the park entrance for several hours. Hawaiʻi Police Department and park law enforcement officers are conducting an investigation.

    To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano

UPCOMING HAWAI'I WILDLIFE FUND EVENTS to celebrate Earth Day include Saturday, May 14 with a Ka'u Community Cleanup at at Kamilo coast. BYO-4wd vehicles as limited space is available in other vehicles. Contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com for more info.

See The Ka'u Calendar April edition at 
www.kaucalendar.com,
on newsstands and in the mail.