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Background
In the late 1980's Punalu`u was under-threat by a massive development which would have caused irreversable damage to the
fragile eco-systems, traditional Hawaiian lifestyle and endangered species that inhabit the area. This inspired the the community
of KA`U to pull together their strengths and create a united front whose sole intent was to protect the sacredness and pristine
beauty of KA`U. This resulted in the birth of Punalu`u Preservation, founded by Kupuna Pele Hanoa and her daughter, J. Keolalani
Hanoa, to advocate for the preservation and protection of native and endangered species, estuaries, ancient fishponds, historic
properties of Ka`u and indigenous people of Hawai`i. With the support of the community they stopped the proposed development
and the destruction of Punalu`u.
For the past twelve years Punalu`u Preservation has been the leader in protecting KA`U and facilitating cultural educational
programs for the children of Hawai`i and the world.
In 2004 Punalu`u Preservation expanded to become KA`U Preservation in order to better protect all of sacred lands and
cultural heritage of KA`U.
Kupuna Pele Hanoa
President
A renowned and world respected Hawaiian Cultural Expert, Pele Hanoa has been a community leader for the past forty years.
She was born and raised in the district of KA`U in the Ahupua`a Punalu`u Wailau and is one of twelve children of Kalanikauleleiaiwi
Kuaimoku Bangay and Freeman Bangay, a traditional Hawaiian Fishing Family of Punalu`u for over one-hundred-fifty years.
A mother of seven children, Aunty Pele Hanoa is a manaleo (native speaker) of her traditional Hawaiian language as well
as an expert in traditional Hawaiian culture, practices, and beliefs. At eighty-three years old she and her husband James
Hanoa operate a four hundred acre cattle ranch in Waiohinu and Punalu`u in KA`U.
She is known for her strong leadership qualities in the protection of native Hawaiian rights and perpetuation of her rich
Hawaiian culture. Pele became the first Kupuna selected to teach in the State Dept. of Education Kapuna Program for the State
of Hawai`i and one of the first Kupuna selected as an educational resource and teacher due to her expertise in traditioanal
ka noho ana (lifestyle.) She is one of the founders of Hui Malama Ola Na Owi Native Hawaiian Health Programs, providing educational
health programs and services to Native Hawaiians. She served for eleven years as one of the Board of Directors and Advisor
for the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. For over a decade Pele has served on the Kupuna Advisory Board for Volcanoes National
Park. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Advisor for Keopuka Ohana, a non-profit organization working
to protect the pristine environment of Hawai`i. She was given awards by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the State of Hawai`i
for her work in the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and she was one of the first Burial Sites Commissioners, appointed
to the Hawaii Island Burial Council Representing Ka`u, by Governor John Waihee, where she served for over eight years and
was recently re-instated to the commission. She is currently President of the KA`U Hawaiian Civic Club, Na`alehu Senior Citizen
Club and a Culture Resource for Kamehameha Schools, Dept. of Education and the University of Hawai`i. In 2005 she was elected
to be Chairperson for the S. Kona and Ka`u Coastal Land Conservation Task Force.
Send an email to Pele
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