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June 20, 2002 ` 1~EC:lci'vi~ <br /> v?~se.___~__ By_ <br /> .~....T--r--- _~..r <br /> Kau Draft Strategic Plan: Executive Summary dote ~ ~ , <br /> Whatever happens in one district effects all districts of the island, and I am here to share the Kau Draft <br /> Strategic Plan. After some preliminary discussions, the community of Kau District began in the year 2000 <br /> a series of meeting to formulate a Strategic Plan. The planning process was named Hoomaka Hou (HO-O- <br /> MAKA-HO) or New Beginnings. Several public meetings were held to gather opinions, which generally <br /> supported the community wishes and likes/dislikes that have been gathered in seven surveys in recent <br /> years. A further survey was held at the 2001 Hula Fest. <br /> The general character of the plan, what "we as a community would like to achieve, with the help of County <br /> and State government. "Kau is an economically depressed district, which has not recovered from the loss <br /> of the sugar industry in the mid-1990's. It's area is over 1,000 square miles, but the population of 6,000 is <br /> too small to give Kau significant economic clout. <br /> No elected or appointed official speaks for Kai alone, and it is remote from Hilo or Kona. With no specific <br /> budget, improvement projects normally rely on grant proposals, and although Kau has been fairly <br /> successful in winning funding, there is a consensus that the community has benefited very little. Also, the <br /> constituent communities have differing needs and often find it difficult to speak with one voice. <br /> Kau wants to retain its rural character and preserve the Hawaiian culture. Economic development should be <br /> culture-sensitive. This reflects the desires of the community. Agriculture is the economic mainstay, <br /> especially Mac-nuts and coffee. Tourism makes a small contribution to the economy, but the 1.2 million <br /> visitors to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is presently an undenased resource. Rest-stop tourism <br /> should be developed, and the community supports two Culture Centers that are planned. <br /> Kau has many historic sites and areas of natural beauty. Historic restoration and improved access to the <br /> ocean and forests would help boost tourism revenues as well as provide recreational opportunities. We seek <br /> the designation of the Honuapo Pond as a nature reserve and are seeking restored access to Pohue <br /> (POO-WHO-EE) Bay. We welcome the appointment of an administrator to restore the Ala Kahakai Trail <br /> and would like to get priority for the section between Honuapo and Punalui?. One of our priorities is the <br /> creation of a Hawaiian Heritage Corridor in Kau. As a small beginning, we obtained from County Research <br /> and Development a grant for clearance of a historic church on the Kamaoa Road, where Father Damien <br /> <br /> preached. <br /> <br /> Water is a key issue, both for residents and agriculture. Although potentially there~uge water reserves, <br /> agriculture is limited by water availability, and subdivisions at Ocean view and Green Sands lack county <br /> water. The state recently gave the county $500,000 for a comprehensive plan for Southwest Hawaii water, <br /> <br /> which includes South Kona farms. If Ocean View could just have a continuously supplied tank in the main <br /> commercial area, they could build schools and a clinic. This is a fast growing community, and the <br /> elimination of the water hauling from Naalehu would give Ocean View a major economic boost. We hope <br /> that the effort to compile a Strategic Plan will bring a realization of the need for the community to lead in <br /> the struggle to improve its own future. <br /> Marge Elwell <br /> ~`iOYTiYTt. No. <br /> File No. <br /> Ref. `I°o• <br /> _ <br /> <br />