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Kioni Dudley Honored by Honolulu City Council

Submitted by HPI on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 17:57
Front row, left to right: Ann Kobayashi, City Councilmember District 5, Makiki to Palolo Valley; Tom Berg, Dist 1, Kaena Point to Ewa Beach; Kioni & Doris Dudley; kahu (priest), name unknown; Nestor R. Garcia, Dist 8, Makakilo to Waikele; Back row: Tulsi Gabbard, Dist 6, Kalihi to Makiki; Stanley Chang, Dist 4, Ala Moana to Hawaii Kai; Romy M. Cachola, Dist 7, Honolulu Stadium to Palama; Ikaika Anderson, Dist 3, Kaneohe to Wamanalo; Ernest Y. Martin, Dist 2, Mokuleia to Waiahole

 
Kioni Dudley, Ph.D., was awarded a certificate of commendation by the Honolulu City Council for "his distinguished service to the Makakil community and as founder of the Save Oahu Farmlands Alliance."

Text of Commendation: Following graduation from Notre Dame High School in Southern California, Michael Kioni Dudley joined the religious order of teaching Brothers, the Brothers of Holy Cross, who taught at the school, and lived as a Catholic monk for the next 17 years. Soon after coming to Hawai’i in 1971, he began teaching theology at Chaminade University. There he began teaching courses in Ancient Hawaiian Religion. He also began studies for a second Master’s Degree, in Asian Philosophy, and then for his Ph.D. His doctoral dissertation was a reconstruction of Ancient Hawaiian Philosophy.

He has written two books, Man, Gods, and Nature, on ancient Hawaiian religion, philosophy, and environmental thought, and A Call for Hawaiian Sovereignty. His well-researched newspaper articles have had a significant impact on the state. In 2004, he retired from teaching after forty-five years in high school and college classrooms. Dr. Dudley has been happily married to the former Doris Sadako Kamioka for thirty one years. He has a step-son, Daniel San Miguel, and a granddaughter, Davyana.
Dr. Kioni Dudley ran for governor of Hawai’i as the Green Party candidate in 1994, and ran for Lt. Governor as a very green Republican four years later. He has served on the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board for fourteen years, establishing himself as an outspoken defender of the natural beauty of Hawai’i. In 2003, he formed the Friends of Makakilo, which has grown to more than 3000 members.

The Honolulu Star Bulletin recognized him as one of "10 Who Made a Difference" in Hawai'i in 2009.

Driven by a consuming aloha ‘aina (love for the land), but having no legal training, in 2008, he began a David against Goliath battle to stop the largest development to ever come before the Land Use Commission, Ho’opili in Leeward O’ahu. Temporarily stopping the project in 2009, he formed Save O’ahu Farmland Alliance, bringing together a hundred other organizations, farmers, and activists, who took a multi-fronted approach in gearing up for the developer's return to the Land Use Commission. That battle at the LUC has now resumed.

The City Council recognizes Dr. Kioni Dudley for his outstanding service and contribution as a neighborhood board member for 14 years and advocate for Save O'ahu Farmlands.

Therefore, on behalf of the citizens of the City and County of Honolulu, the Honolulu City Council extends its deep appreciation and sincere congratulations to Dr. Kioni Dudley and wishes him many productive years ahead.

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