image copyright Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardenretrieved from thttps://www.facebook.com/amygreenwellgarden/?rf=369626283148135
Please support Resolution 155 to help preserve Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden!
From the resolution:
“…Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden…provides a seed bank for critically endangered plant species…contains over 200 species of endemic, indigenous, and Polynesian-introduced plants;and serves as a backstop against extinction…
and…consistently attracts over 14, 000 visitors and approximately 2, 000 students of all ages annually, has been the main venue for annual celebrations and programs such as the Grow Hawaiian Festival, and educational partnerships with Hua 0 Ke Ao (a youth `aina-based gardening program for students K-12) and the Hawai`i Island School Garden Network which connects keiki with real food, healthier eating habits, and the ` aina itself)…
…the acquisition of title or conservation easement(s) for the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden would be significantly beneficial to the County of Hawai`i and our island community as a method of preserving history specific to the ahupua`a of Kealakekua, sustaining rare and native plant species critical to perpetuating traditional and customary native Hawaiian practices, safeguarding our valuable cultural resources for future generations, and perpetuating the uniqueness and rich historical and cultural significance, of the ahupua`a of Kealakekua…”
More background at https://keolamagazine.com/sustainability/Greenwell-ethnobotanical-garden/ Sept. 2018.
You can testify at the County Council Finance Committee, 2 PM Tuesday, May 7, in-person at the West Hawai’i Civic Center, or by videoconference from Hilo Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni Street, Na’alehu State Office Building 95-5669 Māmalahoa Highway, Pahoa Council Office 15-2879 Pāhoa Village Road, Waimea District 9 Office at Parker Square 65-1279 Kawaihae Road, Suite 109, and the Old Kohala Courthouse 54-3900 Akoni Pule Highway
You can also e-mail Council members at:
ashley.kierkiewicz@hawaiicounty.gov
aaron.chung@hawaiicounty.gov
maile.david@hawaiicounty.gov
Karen.Eoff@hawaiicounty.gov
matt.kanealii-kleinfelder@hawaiicounty.gov
sue.leeloy@hawaiicounty.gov
valerie.poindexter@hawaiicounty.gov
tim.richards@hawaiicounty.gov
rebecca.villegas@hawaiicounty.gov
counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov
The County would join the Friends of the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden to acquire the property in whole or conservation easements to perpetuate traditions and customary native Hawaiian practices that sustain rare and native plant species.