"People united will never be defeated"

This was our chant as we stood arm in arm this morning at 5am in anticipation of the bulldozers.  I woke up at about 4:30 this morning and was picked up by my cousin Trish and head down to Kahana.  Sam stayed home with the girls.  My family had their cars parked right in front of the driveway, including 2 old limosines, which completely blocked out anyone or thing that might try and enter.  My bestfriend Liz Buckingham met us there too and I felt so happy to have family and friends to stand with (including my awesome friends on the mainland, Becca & Red who were standing there with me in spirit!).   

I was asked to speak on camera for one of the many TV stations there and since I was chicken, I had Liz and Trish to stand with me, as I did all the talking (not by choice).  The news reporter asked me about what is was like growing up in Kahana and what emotions I was feeling.  I told him of the many days and nights spent on the beach and crabbing in the river.  I shared that I felt sad, but also hopeful that the right people would make the right decision for our families.  

Somewhere between 8:30-9:30am Representative Collen Meyer came to address us.  She informed us that after speaking with Laura Thielen (DLNR Chairperson) and voicing our concerns, as well as hers, that they should have spoken to the people first, instead of just pushing papers at them and creating 6 homeless families, especially in light of our state's current homeless problem, that the DLNR would be holding a meeting with the residents and lessees.  VICTORY...for today!!

Tonight this meeting will be held in Kahana and I want to send my aloha and thanks to our Senator Clayton Hee & Rep. Collen Meyer for taking up our cause and bringing the necessary people to the table!  Big mahalos also to all the people who came to support us from all over the island and even the outer islands, and to those even just blowing their horns as they pass us on the road!  I am also grateful to live in a nation where we can demonstrate peacefully and voice our concern.  This whole experience has really opened my eyes to the power of information and education.  It also feels really good to stand up for something you believe in and see positive results...

 

EVICTION

As some of you may have seen on the news, there are 6 families in Kahana Valley who are being forcefully evicted, one of which is my own immediate family (mom, dad & two brothers).  The injustice of the whole situation is heartbreaking and infuriating!  My mom has been in regular correspondence with one of the main guys of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) for nearly 4 years now with the plan that my family would be getting a lot to build a new home for themselves on.  (post-edited, misinformed)  Three times efforts were made with legislation which would allow DLNR to grant us a lot, but still to no avail.  The house plans were drawn and she even had a contractor ready and waiting.  For years she has jumped through the necessary "hoops" to move us to an available lot (which there ARE, with all the necessary infrastructure in place).  Yet today my parents were served with an eviction notice and the news today that bull dozers would be coming to knock down the home that has served my family for 5 generations come 6:00, Monday morning.  

I am both in shock and horror at how something like this could happen and which would ultimately result in making 6 families HOMELESS!!  From a legal stand point, we have no case because the Attorney General has re-interpreted the law that gave leases for Kahana families to read that no new leases can be given, thus forcing the eviction of these 6 families! 

 We the families and friends of Kahana are seeking the help our fellow community members, families and friends to help STOP this!  How can you help?  We invite you to come stand with us as we hold signs to let everyone know of this injustice.  We will be holding signs every evening from 4-6 pm in Kahana Bay.  Also, please call your legislators and let them know that you are against the eviction of these men, women & keiki!    All we need is just a few more months, and come January, we can pass the necessary legislation that would prevent any of these families from losing their homes!  We honestly can't understand why the state is in such a rush to demolish people's homes and simply create more "park".   We would greatly appreciate your kokua and your prayers! 

Pumpkin Patch

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Yesterday we got invited to go to the Pumpkin Patch at Aloun Farms with the Caseys & Moncurs. We had a great time exploring the pumpkin patch, taking Elia to their little petting zoo and going for a bumpy hay ride! The girls both got a little tired and fussy, but it was fun anyways! Afterwards, we all had lunch at Wendy's...after I gave everyone a mini-tour of Kunia because I missed a turn ;) All in all, it was a very full and exciting day...I'm still pooped!