Randy Awo
Maui Commissioner
Department of Hawaiian Homestead
655 Kaumuali‘i Street, Suite 1,
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793
Good Afternoon Mr. Randy Awo,
I am writing in astonishment and objection to the presentation made at the last Hawaiian Homelands Commission meeting of June 21, 2022 wherein the dismantling organization named Ka ‘Ohana O Kahikinui (KOOK) was granted an ROE for animal management. I strongly suggest you put this topic back on the Hawaiian Homelands Commission agenda and rescind the ROE.
You must redress this proposal as KOOK utterly and completely failed to make full beneficiary reach which is required.Perhaps you are unaware that the executive board members have also re-elected themselves, leaving no room for consensus. In addition, as stated many times before, the by-laws are illegal. Furthermore, there
is over $100k that has not been accounted for.
Even more pressing is the mention of partnership with Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership (LHWRP). This Maui County grant funded organization failed on their grant deliverables and is defunct. This information is exhibited here at the Maui County Council Budget, Finance and Economic Development meeting Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership Failed on Grant Deliverables.
How you as a said Commissioner could have allowed this shoddy and atrocious plan to come forward before your peers is baffling. You know very well the fragility of the forest and the demise of this organization that is currently under investigation. I personally toured the upper mountain tier with Levi Rita and know his limited
knowledge of the area. I also know Joe Santos and the planned use of his trained dogs is not the correct methodology in which to manage Kahikinui animals.
I will repeat the critical points of my testimonies. You must assist the organization in correcting its bylaws. You must direct and provide mediation for the organizations and the greater community. The now accepted remote meetings, such as Zoom, will make those homesteaders who have tired of the hostility more comfortable in attending. There is no excuse to not implement this. The Kahikinui Kupuna have long stopped coming to the meetings because of the atrocities and yet, their voices are critical.
I urge you to please schedule a meeting with Julie Cachola and Joseph Camara and any representation from the said KOOK board to stop this premature plan to use outsider cowboys and dog trainers to assist in animal management. This is a blatant reach of profiteers and reeks like a Muise operation. A mere $300 a cow does not suffice a legitimate plan that will serve the community, in fact, it will hurt the community. There are only a few homesteaders that have fencing around their property, pushing the animals out of the forests will cause more danger and harm to homesteaders.
Please confirm that this plan is halted and you will defer this matter until genuine full beneficiary and community outreach is made. There are sound animal management ideas that have not been explored and deserve attention. As I have laboriously come to you and the Commission seventeen times to convey seriousness and this unresolved issue has chosen to be ignored and intelligent approach forgone, I must disclose that this correspondence and all replies will be made public. I appreciate you taking direct action on this matter.
Most Seriously,
Faith Chase
Hawaiian Homestead Advocate
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