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Na Ali`i Has Moved On
On March 13th, 2006, our founder and president, J. Keolalani Hanoa went to sit with her kupunas to guide us and future
generations so we can continue her work towards what is pono, for the preservation and protection of the aina and the oiwi.
Ku`e!
Born and raised in Ka`u on the island of Hawaii, Keola was a kumu (teacher) to na kamali`i (the children) and to people
from around the world, sharing the importance of protecting and restoring the land, culture and traditional lifestyle of Ka`u.
From their simple Hawaiian style home at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach where she grew up and lived for over eleven years, Keola
and her husband Earl Louis worked tirelessly to protect Punalu`u's sacred sites and habitat for the endangered hawksbill sea
turtle. Through her work, Keola continued the legacy of her grandparents Kalanikauleleiawi and Fermin Bangay who was dedicated
to protecting Punalu`u forever. Keola's ashes will be spread over the waters of Punalu`u, where her family has lived for eight
generations. A memorial is scheduled for March 25th, 9-11am at the Dodo Mortuary in Hilo.
She is survived by husband: Earl Louis, parents: James and Pele Hanoa, brothers and sisters: Palikapu (Lori) Dedman, Georgia
(Richard) Dods, Raymond Dedman, Elsa Dedman, Pernell (Sophie) Hanoa, nieces and nephews: Alec Dedman, Komaka Dedman, Wayne
Christian, Issac Dods, Micah Dods, Shanell Dedman, Lia Hanoa, Pernell (Baba) Hanoa, Shanxi Hanoa, Hawk Hanoa, grandnieces
& nephews: Hanai Children Kaeo Souza, Jeremey James, Dylan Dedman, Kekoa Cuba, her beloved Punalu`u and Puhau and all
her kukulu kumuhana children and many people whose hearts were touched by her.
Keola, known for her warrior spirit and love for the mana... the power of nature, became a "chieftess" among
her peers and was respected throughout Hawaii as a brilliant facilitator for cultural educational programs for the children
of Hawaii and the world. Through Keola's personal attention to each child, they became empowered to discover who they are
by discovering who their ancestors were. When her haumana (students) return to Punalu`u they know they have returned home
and always enjoyed getting a big honi (kiss) from their aunty and to talk story.
In the late 1980's she co-founded Punalu`u Preservation, with her mother, Kupuna Pele 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 her family and extended family and the community, they stopped a proposed development
and the destruction of Punalu`u Beach.
In 1990 Keola created the Kukulu Kumuhana `O Ka`u Learning Center at Punalu`u. For over 16 years the Learning Center has
provided cultural and environmental educational programs to all schools and all ages, immersing students in traditional Hawaiian
Teaching and Methodology "Hands on Experiencing." Through a successful collaboration with the Edith Kanaka`ole Foundation,
Queen Lili`uokalani Children's Center, and Halauola Native Hawaiian based learning center at Hawai`i Community College Hilo,
Keola facilitated culturally based environmental programs utilizing the surrounding environment as "living classrooms"
where native endangered species and their habitats become educational tools. In 1998, Punalu`u Preservation, under the leadership
of Keola, partnered with Queen Lili`uokalani Children's Center, and the Urban Regional Planning Department of the University
of Manoa, under the instruction of Professor Luciano Minerbi, Ph.D., and compiled a community based-management plan, and reference
document entitled, "Ho`ili`ili Ka ike o Ka`ikaika" (Gathering the Strength of Knowledge), designed to improve the
lives of Ka`u youth and Native Hawaiian Families.
Under the leadership of Keola as President, Punalu`u Preservation expanded to become Ka`u Preservation in 2004 in order
to better protect all of the sacred lands and cultural heritage of Ka`u.
In 2005, Keola helped to establish S. Kona and Ka`u Coastal Land Conservation Task Force and played a crucial role in
helping to save Honu`apo Bay and Fish Ponds, working to bring together state, county and federal officials and raise over
$3,000,000 for its purchase.
Today, Ka`u Preservation is once again working to protect Punalu`u Black Sand Beach which is again under threat by a major
development. Sea Mountain Five, LLC, A Beverly Hills development company, intends to to build 2,000 homes and a massive, upscale
resort at Punalu`u. Just days before her passing, Keola launched the first ever in-depth study of the endangered species at
Punalu`u. The important work of Ka`u Preservation will continue under the leadership of Keola's mother, Kupuna Pele Hanoa.
In a recent article, Keola described the beauty and culture of Punalu`u and why Ka`u cannot be fully appreciated until you
spend quality time there. "You don't see it by driving through, you don't see the beautiful sunrises in the morning,
the rich forests in the mountains, the fresh water springs, the honu, nesting on the beach loving life. Look around. Everything
is in harmony first thing in the morning... the wind the elements... its magic; its mana. You have to see beyond site with
what we call ikepapalua." Keola had a long term vision for protecting resources like Punalu`u. She imagined Punalu`u
as a living classroom that can become a "Eco-Campus" for students and educators from around the world. She believed
Ka`u could become a model for sustainable Earth friendly development for the rest of the world and dedicated her life to the
preservation of the entire 80 miles of coastline of Ka`u - the longest undeveloped shoreline in Hawaii.
Keola's dream was to see Punalu`u preserved forever as a cultural resource and educational center. Volunteers and donations
are needed to make Keola's vision a reality. Ka`u Preservation is calling on all people concerned to help participate and
volunteer for this important work.
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