Laserfiche WebLink
The Supreme Court has been clear that they do not provide security for a developer's gamble. As the Court <br /> has said, "Those who do business in the regulated field cannot object if the legislative scheme is buttressed by <br /> subsequent amendments to achieve the legislative end." <br /> The courts have specifically supported government regulation of adjacent private land to protect public land <br /> and water resources. <br /> Ka`awaloa and Kealakekua Bay, as well as Kohanaiki, and the lands near Pu`uhonua O Honaunau, are <br /> prime examples of this scenario. <br /> In such cases as Just a Marinette County and Audobon Society a Superior Court of Alpine County, regula- <br /> tion of development on lands adjacent to public lands such as parks and preserves has been found not to be <br /> considered a taking. <br /> Extensive lava tube systems lie beneath the surface of Keopuka. I would estimate 60 to 70% of the landmass <br /> is riddled with cave systems. Any development in this area would involve collapsing of these systems and the <br /> importation of massive amounts of soil to the site, just like what has occurred and continues to occur at Hokulia. <br /> These caves are living cultural artifacts that contain evidence of prehistoric habitation, as well as hidden <br /> burials and familial artifacts known only to the families who have passed down this knowledge for many gen- <br /> erations. Some of these caves are expansive, long caverns with ceilings as high as seventy feet. The destruction <br /> of the caves would destroy forever any opportunity for these families to continue to actively conduct their <br /> religious and cultural practice. These caves are also used as homes for hundreds of pueo (Hawaiian short-eared <br /> owl) who nest on the cave walls. <br /> Consider this quote from a recent study by noted historian Kepa Maley. <br /> "One consultation participant, a descendent of the Makekau line, spoke with particular concern about <br /> proposed development at Keopuka. She explained that for generations her family has been caretakers of impor- <br /> tant high-ranking ilina, which remain hidden in cave systems, but which could be impacted by land alteration. <br /> Elders of her family regularly walked the trail from Ka`awaloa to Keopuka on visits to care for family sites and <br /> she continues to do so today."- A Cultural-~Iistorical Study: Na Ala Hele- Lartds of Keauhou to Kealakekua by <br /> Kepa Maley. <br /> The archeology survey done for this property in 1989 was done at the same time as the one done for Hokulia <br /> by the same company. <br /> The Hokulia survey, even though approved by SHPD, has been shown to be grossly inadequate and has <br /> resulted in the inadvertent discovery and destruction of numerous burials and important sites. <br /> These surveys are the work of "contract" archeologists and, as in any contract, the person paying the bill is <br /> the one who decides the extent of the effort to be made relative to budgetary restrictions and the level of interest <br /> in finding archeological evidence. <br /> It is not in the interest of landowners, whose only interest in the land may be the profits they can glean from <br /> its development, to find extensive archeological evidence on their land. <br /> Mr. Anderson's well-timed statement that he will donate portions of Keopuka to be put into Conservation <br /> must be taken with a grain of salt. Time and again agreements made by Anderson companies, with the commu- <br /> nity and lineal and cultural descendents of the Hokulia property, have been left unfulfilled. <br /> A case in point is a February 2000 agreement to build a six foot stone wall around the entire base of Pu `u <br /> Ohau to protect the Pu`u which as a whole is considered a sacred burial site. That wall has never been built, <br /> home lots are planned on the northern flats of the Pu`u and Anderson is now approaching the State Historic <br /> Preservation Division to invalidate their original agreement. <br /> The members of Keep Kealakekua Wild and Protect Keopuka Ohana encourage the County Council to adopt <br /> the General Plan Revision in whole without further delay. <br /> Al <br /> <br /> fy ack Kelly <br /> Coordinator, eep Kealakekua Wild <br /> Vice President, Protect Keopuka Ohana <br /> <br />