HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0176.002 2006-2008 J~t'r•O
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" Dixie Kaetsu
Harry Kim • Managing Director
Mayor
. Bazbara Kossow
~q~F•OF •N P~
V Deputy Managing Director
~ountp of ~~boai`i
891 Ululani S[rect Hilo, Hawaii 96720 •(808)961-8211 Fax (808)961-6553
KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway. Suite 103 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808)329-5226 • Fax (808)326-5663
September 17, 2007
The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson, ~
and Council Members -
Hawai`i County Council
333 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Chair Hoffinann and Council Members:
Attached is the final report from James Kent Associates entitled "The Ka`u Listening Project:
Talk Story until There is a Balance."
AI~Jo~~ha~, ~ Q ~
~'~Y'f ~~Vi~~
Harry Kim
~ MAYOR
comm. No.3y'~ . 0
Ref. To: '
Ref. Date SEF 19 9nn~
Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
JAMES_KENT .ASSOCIATES
~;hdurt Cuftro~al.1 nuh~~r~
The Ka u Listening Project:
"Talk Story until There is a Balance"
An Assessment of Community Issues by
James Kent Associates
Kevin Preister, Ph.D.
Trish Malone, M.A.
Eric Casino, Ph.D.
Jeronimo Soliz
Dorothy Weber, MSW
John Ryan, MBA
And
James A. Kent, J.D.
Prepared for
The Office of the Mayor
County of Hawaii
September 17, 2007
PO Box 1267 ~ Basalt, CO 81621 +970/ 927-4424 ~ FAX 970/ 927-4443 ~ ikent n,ikaerouo.com
PO Box 3493 ? Ashland, OR 97520 ~ 541/ 488-6978 ~ FAX 541/ 552-9683 ~ koreister a ikaerouo.com
P.O. Box 1214 ~ Kallua-Kona, HI 96740? 808/324-4543 ~ Cell: 808/443-9445 ~tmalone n ikaeroup.com
www.jkagroup.com
Enhancing Productive Harmony between Human and Natural Environments
j The Ka u Listening Project
P
The Ka~tiz Listening Project:
"Talk Story until There is a Balance"
Table of Contents
Section One: Summary--Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations 1
Findings 1
Conclusions 4
Recommendations 4
Section Two: Background and Methods 7
Background 7
Methods 7
The Report 9
Who Was Involved 10
Section Three: The Current Situation 13
Natural Capital 14
Social Capital 19
Financial Capital 31
Section Four: Sea Mountain Five: Issues, Opportunities, and
Alternatives 41
Introduction 41
Community Themes Related to Sea Mountain Five 42
Community Issues Related to Sea Mountain Five 45
The Current Status of the Community Benefits Package 64
Alternative Futures at Punalu~u 68
Section Five: An Assessment of Conflict 76
Major Cultural Themes about Conflict 76
What People Said About Ka u Preservation 81
Stories of Intimidation 89
Section Six: Toward a Healthy Community Process 90
Table One Lands Set Aside for Protection, Ka u District,
2001-2007 17
Figure One Map of the Ka u District in Relation to State 10
Figure Two A Model of a Sustainable Community Ecosystem 13
Figure Three Map Showing Recent Acquisitions for Land Protection 18
Figure Four A Citizen Win/Win Proposal 75
Figure Five Building Participation and Confidence in
Public Policy 93
jj The Ka u Listening Project
Section One
Summary--Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations
Findings
Human Oualities. The people of Pahala, Na alehu, Ocean View and
surrounding settlements were found to have vitality and talent, bringing
to bear enormous resourcefulness and creativity to make a life for
themselves, their families and their communities. These four human
qualities--vitality, talent, resourcefulness and creativity-are the core upon
which the future can be built.
Natural Resources and Families. People want to take care of both the
natural resources and their families. They are especially concerned that
their children will have options in their lives-options in Ka u. They are
also concerned about the extent of long commutes to West Hawaii for
those who have jobs and the exodus from the area of young people who
do not have jobs.
Physical, Social, and Financial Capital. The Ka'u area is rich in natural
capital (physical resources) and social capital (people resources), but
weak in financial capital (economic resources). Residents believe active
efforts to promote economic development are necessary to foster a
balance among the three capital elements for sustainable communities
and resources.
Conservation vs. Preservation. People reflected in their talk the concept
of conservation rather than preservation. The notion that a resource
would be locked up and taken away from people (preservation) was
foreign to them. Instead they want a future where the people resources
can interact with the natural resources-to the benefit of both.
Save Both the Turtles and the People. The concern for taking care of
natural resources was virtually universal, and there was full agreement
about the importance of preserving access to the ocean, a local feel to the
Punalu~u beach, and protection of shoreline resources. At the same time,
residents don't want people to be sacrificed for environmental
protection-"Sane the turtles and sane the people, too,"was a theme
throughout the communities.
Controlled Development. People want some form of economic
development but want to be very careful about what it is. People are most
concerned about the scale of development. They want "controlled
1 The Ka u Listening Project
development" to avoid the problems of Waikiki, Honolulu and Kona, and
to maintain the rural character of Ka'u.
Taking Sides. People do not want to have adecision-making process that
is based on having to "take sides" in the debate about resource use. They
want instead to use the Island cultural process of talk story until a
balance in resource use is found that works for the people in the present
and in the future
Ownership of Important Values. Ka u Preservation's focus on resource
preservation for the ocean, land and turtles symbolizes for many the
important values that they want to see addressed in policy choices.
These values, it was found, along with taking care of the people, are
embedded in the values of the area. Therefore it seemed misplaced to
many of the people that Ka u Preservation would fight for these values as
though they "owned them"-as if they had a monopoly or exclusive
attachment to these values that did not exist in the rest of the
community. This advocacy position created resentment and a concern
that the organization does not care about the needs of the community.
Moreover, the tactics of Ka u Preservation leadership created fear among
the citizens for their safety, and a reluctance to go to formal meetings
where confrontation rather than talk story is routine.
Scale and Size. The majority of people had issues that concerned them
regarding the Sea Mountain Five proposal. Scale and size of the
development were common fears expressed as "not being able to absorb
the development" into the existing communities. People had an intuitive
sense that Sea Mountain Five was out of proportion to what would be
benet-icial to the area.
Even citizens who favor more economic development think that the size
of the present Sea Mountain Five development proposal is too large.
People don't believe that the community can absorb the growth-the
additional demands from all the additional workers and visitors who will
impact the infrastructure and the social support systems. "It is too big."
Community Benefits Package. The absence of a completed process to
build a community benefits package was of critical importance. Citizens
wish for a safe environment in which to work out the details of a
community benefits package that is of appropriate design to enhance
their physical, social and economic environments. They want to be
involved in working out the details of such a package.
A Listening Proiect. Many residents expressed appreciation that decision
makers would make an effort to listen to their points of view and a few
expressed anger at what was considered a waste of taxpayers' money.
2 The Ka u Listening Project
t
There have been three recent attempts to reach out to the citizens of
Ka u to learn what type of future they desire.
1. County Council proposed through Resolution of 169-07 to
negotiate with Sea Mountain Five to purchase one third of their
total land holdings-that part that lies along the coastline and goes
mauka about 2000 feet. County hearings on this proposal yielded
many hours of public testimony.
In relation to this action, the citizen consultation process for a
Community Benefits Package with Sea Mountain Five was never
completed. The tactics of disruption by the few created a fear
among many people that inhibited attendance at meetings and free
expression. The developer failed to follow through on the
unfinished elements, and several public officials backed away from
discussion as the polarization deepened.
In addition, the implications of Resolution 169-07 were not clear to
residents. Most people believe the county does not have the money
for such a purchase, nor the capacity to manage the land if it were
acquired. The majority of people we talked with are very clear in
not wanting Ka u Preservation to manage the park and coastline,
citing their divisive tactics, lack of capacity and lack of experience.
2. Mailed questionnaires were distributed through the four post
offices of the Ka'u District by Council member Yagong to determine
a preference for the proposed Sea Mountain development plan vs.
favoring Resolution 169-07.
At the time the mail survey was conducted, there had been no
prior attempt to learn where people stood if they were to "take
sides." This survey measured the side taking very well. However
some residents felt it was a false choice because the options were
not clear. Even so a 25% return on the survey is a high number
and indeed gave an insight into the situation not seen before.
3. The County Council has received nearly 900 letters regarding the
passage of Resolution 169-07.
Regarding the nearly 900 letters received by County Council, most
were reportedly in support of the purchase of 153 acres of Sea
Mountain land. This is considered a good response by supporters
of Resolution 169-07. The mediators found the same thing-
almost everyone strongly favors saving the turtles, their habitat,
and the whole coastline. No disagreement there. But from the
fieldwork, there is a large majority which favors some modest
3 The Ka u Listening Project
expansion of economic opportunity, with conditions, in order to
promote the general well being of the people and to keep their
families together.
All of these recent efforts of visioning the future were attempts to try to
come to an understanding of what the people who live in the geographic
area actually wanted-at present and for their future. The conflicting
findings from these three efforts led to the hiring of mediators to conduct
a listening project in the Ka u District.
Conclusions
The people want a future that secures the natural environment and
increases their economic opportunity to enhance the quality of their
lives. Neither of the two major options on the table-Resolution 169-07,
or accepting the Sea Mountain Five proposal in its present state--moves
the community to where it wants to go. Further, the forced choice of
having to choose between only these two options is out of sequence with
the proposed Ka' u Community Development Plan.
Recommendations to the Countu Government
1. Proceed to implement a consistent and predictable process that
honors citizens' effort to balance the dual goals of protecting their
environment and their families' futures.
From discussions with the citizens, there appears to be no point in
passing Resolution 169-07 at this time since Sea Mountain Five
has not offered to sell the coastal part of its property. The County
has publicly said that it does not have the money to purchase it, to
develop requisite infrastructure, nor maintain it. Moreover, the
Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources
Preservation Commission has already established a list of priorities
for the purchase of open space, of which Kawa a Bay is listed as #1
and Punalu'u is listed as #4.
2. Change the process for obtaining citizen input.
Formal meetings don't work for two reasons: They are not part of
the cultural practices of much of the population, and the
disruptive tactics by the few have made people feel unsafe. Instead,
rely on individual and family meetings, chat sessions, and
neighborhood meetings to do talk story in small groups-before
¢ The Ka u Listening Project
going to community-wide meetings. The use of privacy voting pads
could be used in one or two community-wide meetings to
culminate this effort, while preventing disruption of the public
process and the domination by a few. Section Six elaborates on
these ideas.
3. Commit to accomplishing on an accelerated time schedule the
Community Development Plan for Ka'u to tie in and give leadership
to these recommendations.
A completed Ka u CDP would allow the Ka u community to avoid
its current situation of reacting to each development proposal, and
instead would allow the community to set the "standards of
development" for all to know. In this way, all parties to
development-citizens, proponents, government-would have a
greater sense of predictability and reliability that would foster
better policy choices in the long run.
4. Encourage public officials to model protocols of civic behavior and
to control behavior that deviates from the protocols. Threats of
violence and disruptive behavior are not conducive to the
democratic process. In addition, residents believed that several
public officials withdrew from communication with the Sea
Mountain Five developer, particularly as the polarization deepened,
thus rewarding the tactics of disruption and intimidation. Rather,
officials must strive to promote communication between local
residents and change agents so that responsiveness is optimized.
Training programs aze available which would assist public officials
in developing these skills.
Recommendations to Sea Mountain Five
5. Consider an approach which is oriented to the rural character of
the area and to the nature of the Punalu'u Beach.
Such an approach could include lodges of modest scale,
integration of taro fields and other agricultural, rural features, and
a leazning center for the fabulous ecology, culture, and history of
the Ka u area. The lodges would focus on bringing people to the '
area who want to participate in a learning experience about the
ocean, land and people. Such an anchor for a resort would bring a
select type of person to the Ka u area-a guest who appreciates the
uniqueness of the environment and at some level wants to be a
part of its magic. In order to be absorbed by the existing
5 The Ka u Listening Project
communities, the resort could be designed as a residential village
that is pedestrian based and has opportunity for permanent
residents as the core. Permanency and predictability emerged as a
high value of the people in the Ka u area.
Recommendations to the Counter Government and
Sea Mountain Five
6. Delay review of the Sea Mountain Application for its Special
Management Area until the final development proposal and the
Community Benefits Package are finished.
Consider the insertion of the Community Benefits Package as a
social impact mitigation into the EIS because people need
commitments which are in a legally enforceable document, so that
agreed-upon conditions will be implemented. Critical items still to
be negotiated include the following:
• Setbacks from the shoreline.
• Appropriate scale for the components of this project or
any subsequent application.
• Creation of a plan and commitment to ensure a
reasonable opportunity for local hires at all levels from
management to maintenance.
• Creation of a plan to ensure a reasonable opportunity for
local businesses to provide goods and services to the
Resort and its allied subsidiaries. This plan and
commitment should include the opportunity for local
businesses to locate in the resort.
• Truly affordable housing based on local wages of
residents.
• Development practices under LEED (Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design, a national third party
certification program).
The Ka u Listening Project
Section Two
Background and Methods
Background
The Mayor of Hawaii County, Mayor Harry Kim, asked James Kent
Associates (JKA) to field a team in the Ka'u District to talk with people
about their concerns involving development and change.
Two questions focused the JKA listening project:
1. What do people in Ka u want for their future?
2. What balance is possible between conservation of resources and
economic health of the community, especially related to the Sea
Mountain Five proposal?
The Mayor's focus was that the process of talking with people in settings
comfortable to them, with assurances of privacy and confidentiality,
would identify opportunities for a deeper communication and resolution
of key issues in the community. He wanted to "quiet the anger, deal with
misinformation, and figure ways so no one loses."
"It is critical that you listen to those who don't come to meetings.°
Methods
James Kent Associates is comprised of social scientists that use a form of
ethnographic research called the Discovery ProcessrM to learn about
community life. The Discovery Process has been used in more than 200
communities over the last 40 years and is an accepted and valuable farm
of research. Field workers "enter the routines" of the community in order
to observe everyday life and to experience life as local residents do.
Workers go to gathering places like grocery stores, cafes and the beach,
get invited to people's homes, network to others in the community-all
with the attitude of learning from the people. What is life like? What do
people like and don't like? What are important challenges for people in
everyday life?
The Discovery Process represents abroad-based approach to citizen
contact, independent of any person's political views. Because team
members are mingling freely in the community, finding the full range of
views on a subject is a process that occurs naturally. In a qualitative
research methodology such as this, after a period of time, patterns begin
The Ka a Listening Project
to emerge about what is important, who is well regazded, how
communication occurs, and how things get done.
We stressed with citizens that JKA and its team aze neutral on the
question of whether or not Sea Mountain Five should be developed. That
is cleazly something for the communities to decide. Residents were
informed that the information they shared is confidential, and that no
names would ever be attached to something they had said.
The methods of the Discovery Process included:
1. Hanging out in gathering places to interact with residents and to
observe routines.
2. Continually asking, "Whom else should I talk to about this?" in
order to network broadly in the community. We would then
approach the referred individual and ask to talk story. We
particulazly sought out people whose names continually came up,
reasoning that they were key caretakers or communicators in their
community.
3. Attending public events to observe and to talk story.
4. Attending meetings of community groups and churches to make
announcements of our purpose and to ask people to callus to talk
story.
5. During the last ten days, we placed flyers around the community
called, "Have you been heard?" with phone numbers of the field
team to call to talk story.
These efforts resulted in long lists of people who wanted to talk story and
numerous phone calls and personal visits. People were eager to talk and
to share their stories of community, changes, and hopes for the future.
The team engaged in many dozens of informal conversations in the
gathering places of the communities, and attended numerous community
group meetings, church gatherings, and public events. Residents were
invited to take our cards and call the team or to indicate on a sign-up
sheet if they were interested in a return call. Some people said that the
commitment to confidentiality was important for their participation.
Some people chose to be anonymous in their phone calls, and their input
is included here.
"People are very timid and don't come out--you must go to them."
In all, JKA received input on our key questions from 551 individuals
between August 11 and September 7, 2007. Through group
presentations, we estimate that a total of 1250 people were informed and
invited to participate, in addition to the flyers around the towns
announcing the opportunity.
g The Ka u Listening Project
s~,
The Report
In this report, we use quotes very liberally. Since our job was to listen,
our responsibility is to faithfully present what the people said. That we
have done. We did, however, categorize people's comments around
several topics. While the hurried reader will thus be able to skip around
easily, we do believe there is a richness in listening to unfiltered stories
from Ka u residents.
Questions did not follow a set format but were deliberately open ended to
allow the person to set the direction. The team member would ask follow-
up questions or clarifying questions but did not try to steer the
conversation.
The open-ended questions, related to community life were:
1. Why do you live here? (This gives insight into traditions, beliefs,
stories of place)
2. Why do you stay? (This gives insight into daily survival
mechanisms, cazetaking of each other, and how the culture is
maintained)
3. What would make staying here better? (This makes visible the
issues that if resolved enhance and enrich individual, family and
community life)
4. Whom else should we talk to? (This makes clear the informal
networks people that people are involved with on a routine basis)
The open-ended questions underlying the JKA mission aze repeated here
for clazity:
1. What do people in Ka u want for their future?
2. What balance is possible between conservation of resources and
economic health of the community, especially about the Sea
Mountain Five proposal?
Geographic Area:
Figure One shows a map of the Ka'u area in relation to the state of
Hawaii as a whole. The geographic areas of coverage were Ocean View,
Waiohinu, Na alehu, Discovery Harbor, Mark Twain Estates, Green
q The Ka u Listening Project
s~t
Sands Subdivision, Pahala, Wood Valley and Volcano. Most of the effort
was devoted to Pahala, Na alehu, and Ocean View.
Figure One:
Map of the Ka a District in Relation to State
~o~~
C
Who Was Involved
There were 551 individuals involved in the talk story process over afive-
week period.
Through group presentations, we estimate that a total of 1,250 people
were informed and invited to participate.
The groups and publics that were involved are as follows:
Community Organizations:
AOAO Colony One
Boys and Girls Clubs, Pahala and Ocean View Discovery Harbor
Community Association
Department of Economics, Hawaii County
Family Support Services, Na alehu
Friends of Kahuku Park
HOVE Road Maintenance Corp
Ka u Calendar
Ka u Chamber of Commerce
Ka u Coffee Growers Cooperative
Ka u Filipino Civic Club
~ p The Ka u Listening Project
e~+r~~
Ka u Hawaiian Civic Club
Ka u Hospital, Pahala: Director, Director of Nursing, staff, employees
Ka u Police Department
Ka Lae Quilters
Ka'u Rural Health, Pahala
Kids of Kona
Kou Ka u Ka Ko
Main Street, Na alehu
Men's Golf Club
ML Industries, Mac Nut Association: workers, staff, office, pickers
Neighborhood Watch of Ocean View
Ocean View Community Development Corporation
Ocean View Estates
O Ka a Kakou
Pahala Volunteer Fire Department
Sea Mountain Resort employees
The Nature Conservancy
Union leader ILWU
Volcano Volunteer community development plan
Volcano Community Association
Community Meetings and/or Events, Churches
Assembly of God, Na'alehu
Assembly of God, Pahala
Christian Church Thy Word Ministry Christian Church, Na alehu
Discovery Harbor Home Owners Community Association monthly
meeting
Food Bank, Ocean View
Governor's Meeting, Pahala, Dylan Ninoka
Holy Rosary, Pahala
Ka u Chamber of Commerce
Ka a High School, Principal, teacher, coaches, athletic director,
students
Na alehu Elementary School, counselor, janitor, teachers, office
clerk
Na'alehu Farmers Market
Ocean View Community Association
Ocean View Community Pancake Breakfast
Pahala Hongwanji
Pig Hunters meeting
Quilters Society
Red Hat Society
Senior Center Nutrition Lunches, Ocean View, Pahala, Na alehu
Sacred Heart, Na alehu
United Methodist, Na alehu
] ] The Ka u Listening Project
Political Representatives and County Department Directors:
Rep. Bob Herkes
County Council Bob Jacobson
Mayor Harry Kim
Nelson Ho, Hawaii County Environmental Management
Brad Kurokawa, Hawaii County Planning
Roy Takemoto, Executive Assistant to the Mayor
Alan Parker, County of Hawaii Department of Aging Senior
Nutrition Program
Joe Villa, County Parks and Recreation, Kahuku Park
Publics:
Kids and youth
High School kids
Kids who attended Cousteau summer camp
Working families
Members of all ethnic groups
Retired people
Born and raised people
Newcomers
Kama aina
Business community
Macadamia farm workers
Coffee growers
Former sugar workers
Paniolo
Occupational groups of all kinds, such as construction workers,
maintenance workers, professional people such as educators,
health specialists, etc.
Fisher people
12 The Ka u Listening Project
n,
Section Three
The Current Situation
Introduction
Sustainable community is frequently conceived as the successful
interaction of natural, social and financial capital, as shown in Figure
Two. As the stories below will show, the Ka u area is rich in terms of
natural and social capital and weak in financial capital. Residents of
course know this and they actively seek a balance by which economic
activity can be encouraged without compromising their natural and
social capital.
Figure Two:
A Model of a Sustainable Community Ecosystem
Natural Capital
Social Capital
Financial Capital
This section describes the current status of these three community
elements in the area, as perceived by local residents.
"Economic health must be balanced with spiritual, mental and
physical. Put those in a triangle and you have pono--balance."
13 The Ka a Listening Project
d
?y{~t
Natural Capital
Natural capital is the physical and biological environment within which
human communities are situated. It is the stock of resources by which a
community can sustain itself and it also refers to the values and
meaning that people ascribe to their physical surroundings. Ecologists
often compare natural resources to a savings account-that if human
communities live off the "interest" of the resources and do not take the
"principal", then that is sustainable.
The stories that people told make it clear that the sense of space in Ka u
has been an outstanding feature from the beginning of human
settlement. The independence of spirit born of living in such a remote
area was evident during the days of the Hawaiian kingdom and it is true
today for the political district of Ka u.
Many people said that the core value and wonder of Ka u is the sense of
space along that stretch of coastline. The big sky, the tremendous open
space and the uncluttered view seem to be part of the blood and bones of
the people who live here.
The key feature of space, the unblemished coastline, and mountain
uplands, are why residents say development and change has to fit in so
that the view plain is undiminished, as later sections will show.
The special place of Ka'u was also used from the beginning as a place of
livelihood. As in the past, local people live and play along the shore and
sea. Many still fish for food for family survival. Some fishing catch is still
sold for a living.
"Ka u has living mana, creation is still going on here."
People told stories about their place and its resources:
"I was born and raised here. We came down to this beach all the
time. My father sat with at those pavilions talking the future.
Before the pavilions there were homes there."
"My parents' home was there on Black Sands Beach. It was
destroyed in the 1946 tsunami. We called it `high seas' in those
days. There were tsunamis in 1960 and 1975 also. All rocks on the
beach used to be covered with sand. The beach was long before
you got to the water."
jq The Ka u Listening Project
"I grew up in the highlands. I had a pet goat with real big horns on
it. I convinced my family not to slaughter him. He was my favorite,
real big horns. He died of old age. I took his body out to the wilds
where he roamed and after a few months I got his skull with horns
and took it home. I loved it up there. We eat fruit and root plants
and know the season to harvest."
"We used to eat the turtles."
"My husband and I found the first nesting turtle there on the
beach and notified C. Brewer. When the 2nd nest was found, we
notified a marine biologist that we knew. Then it became law not to
catch them, or sell them. We used to catch them with a 3-prong
tool to snag them under the fin or under the neck. Anyplace that
was soft."
"The pond used to have bulrushes. Wildlife would come drink from
the pond. The name means the waters that rise. There are springs
there by the concession stands. People used to wash their clothes
there and kids used to learn to swim in the pond. That pond was
wiped out by the tsunami in 1946."
"There are so many turtles. When I was a girl, little cages of
chicken wire would be put around the turtle eggs. I don't think
they do that anymore."
"The chapel on the hill is very special. It's spiritual. No
development around the chapel.° [Common]
And now,
"I like that it is not crowded and that it is beautiful." [Teenager]
"I like this area because of the beaches." [High school student]
"I never saw a native bird until I move to the Big Island from
Oahu."
Community Issues Related to Natural Capital
Black Sand Beach
"I'm concerned about over-crowding at the beach.° [Common]
15 The Ka u Listening Project
"The public road just next to the Black Sand Beach has been
closed. The Mayor promised to look into this issue. Now, the
maintenance crews do not come to throw accumulated sand back
into the shoreline. The beach is losing more and more of its sand.
It's not good." [Reported by several people]
Fishing
"Authorities won't let us throw nets anymore. Species become
endangered and they shut off subsistence activities, but they don't
understand we only take what we need. Then they go overboard,
and they don't listen to the knowledge we have. There are too many
turtles now." [Fisherman]
"We fish, we know secret places to net. We try hard to not let
others, especially haoles know, because they will fish there and
finish off the fish."
Huntin¢ and Access
With the break up of plantation lands into larger parcels, local residents
complain about the increasing loss of access to traditional lands
represented by the nearby state forest preserve. In the old days, access
was accepted and traditional. New owners apparently have the means to
fence their properties. In addition, the Nature Conservancy recently
purchased a large parcel, of which 1,200 acres are currently being fenced
in order to control the pig population and restore native vegetation.
"There are wild pigs out there. Families for years have depended on
them for food, and still do. Some people want to eradicate them,
also goats, sheep. A long fence was put in to keep them away from
plants. Now we really can't go and hunt for the animals for our
families, because we are not allowed to go inside of fence."
"The loss of easy access from times past has an upside. People
have to go in and out in the same few places. It will help us cut
down on poaching. There will be less illegal cutting of the hapu
tree."
"More and more, we can't get to the state forest for pig hunting.
Money people buy up old plantation land and close it off. Screw up
our way of life. Shut us out with guns, cut us off."
16 The Ka u Listening Project
Recent Successes in Resource Protection
Table One shows the lands set aside for conservation and protection
purposes in the last several years. It reveals that nearly 134,000 acres
have been given additional and long-term protection from development.
Table One:
Lands Set Aside for Protection, 2001-2007, Ma of the Ka u District
Place and Disposition Approximate Approximate
Date Acres
Kahuku Ranch to National Park Service 2002 129,000
The Nature Conservancy 2001
a. Keaiwa 50
b. Kahilipali 60
c. Kioloku 167
d. Kaiholona 2500
e. Kamehame Beach 2004 24
Honu~apo, Trust for Public Lands, to State 2005 225
and Coun
Kamilo/Waiohinu, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, to 2007 1200
DOFAW*
Kawa a (Kawa) Beach, 4 parcels to County, 2007 758
endin
Total Acrea e 133, 984
Total Acrea e in the Ka u District 625,000
of Protected Land in Ka u District 21.4
*Department of Forestry and Wildlife, State of Hawaii
Figure Three contains a map showing the location of these acquisifions.
]'J The Ka u Listening Project
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Social Capital
Social capital is the glue that holds a community together. It is the
patterns of cooperation in which people exchange services and support
each other in order to survive and to complete projects for the good of the
lazger community. It is those points of social overlap where differences in
ethnicity, income and personality are not as important as the similarities
of sharing the same place and of creating a healthy community for
individuals and families. Here are statements people made that are
related to social capital:
"As haoles, we are accepted. Ka a people aze very respectful, and
friendly and accepting. [Two teenagers at Ka u High School]
"We want to be able to have choice in our lives."
"Change is coming like it or not."
"I see that the biggest issue in this community is about giving the
community tools to succeed."
"When I look at the children of our community, I know that I
cannot walk away."
"When I go to the post office now, I don't recognize anyone."
"I like the small town. Everyone knows each other. Everyone helps
each other." [High School student]
"I was born and raised here. I want to raise my kids here. I like it
because it is mellow. Not too much crime." [Teenager]
"People buy here because it's beautiful and then figure out they
can't make a living here and move back to the mainland."
"It is a privilege to stay here, fit in and be part of what's
here.°[Lifelong resident]
Stories of Social Capital in Ka'u
Social capital has many features to it, including special places, the value
of taking care of family members, and the informal caretaking within
networks by which people sustain themselves. Social capita] also reveals
the strong reliance that people in Ka a have had with each other to
survive and prosper in an isolated rural area. It reveals the qualities of
] 9 The Ka u Listening Project
t+
individuals that we found really stand out among the area's residents:
vitality, talent, creativity and resourcefulness.
"People feel so connected to this place. My most frequent clients
are former residents of Ka u who come back for reflection,
memories and family reunions. They feel so good about
reconnecting even though they live elsewhere now."
"I came back because I love this place. It is home. My family lives
here."
"I stay because it is the best place on eazth for me."
Special Places
A key feature of social life, of residents throughout the Ka u District,
from Miloli'i to Volcano, is the ability to enjoy Punalu~u Beach. As faz
back as the memories of current residents go, families have enjoyed days
at the beach, fishing, swimming, cooking, visiting and making music.
Residents to a person asserted that the beach is highly value for its
unspoiled naturalness, beauty and accessibility. They want no change
that would impose restrictions like hours of operation, gates, or rules
against camping. They want no change that would degrade the
environment or add risk to valued sea life.
"We have camped here every major holiday for the last 20 years.
These kids grew up here together and now they have kids. Letting
them grow up here gave them a good attitude-one that they could
take care of each other and independence."
"The local way of living is fishing and hunting and being at the
beach. That's all we want."
"My father took us everywhere, he was holo holo, (go out and have
fun). We have wonderful memories of the beach here. My
grandfather worked cattle ranch here and then moved to Hilo."
"Our life style is to camp, fish, hunt, this is our freedom. Don't
take that away from us."
"We use the big pavilion. We have one of our group reserve one, we
meet there to play music and sing. The community uses the area,
whole families meet there. We have always met there."
ZQ The Ka u Listening Project
3
"FUnalu~u has been a place we run away to when we want to be in
the ocean or walk in the wind. We used to play golf at Sea
Mountain frequently before the course got so run down. Punalu~u
is where we take out grandchildren when they visit so they may
play in the tidal pools and pay their respects to the honu. Punalu~u
is where we go when we want to picnic and feel like we're
carefree kids again. There is something very special about this
area. It is steeped in Hawaiian history and culture. It is old
Hawai i."
"My family, friends and I have always treasured the unique area of
Punalu~u by visiting, camping, hiking, swimming, exploring, and
just being there to feel the essence of a pure coastline habitat. My
kids have grown up with this special place as being sacred in its
unspoiled naturalness. Although slightly impacted by our use and
by others, we have always respected Punalu~u as a giving and
healing spot to share. We have had our groups (girl scouts, family
campers) help pick up rubbish to clean the area. We have studied
the ponds, the star-studded night sky, the heiau, the little coves,
the vegetation, the turtles, the beach, and the ocean...all at
Punalu~u."
An important feature of the Punalu~u Beach of years passed that many
residents spoke about was Black Sand Restaurant. Something about that
restaurant was so compelling for residents that they mentioned it time
and time again in interviews. For many, it represented a time to relax,
have a meal with friends, and talk story. It was a place for locals and
visitors to mingle, "each enriching the other." It seemed like a place that
could absorb all the differences and communicate aloha, a place of
connection with others and with the shoreline.
For some, the Black Sand Restaurant was a place of employment. Many
people shared stories that it was their first job or their first boyfriend.
"It was a nice place. The restaurant was my first job."
"I did hula there as a girl. I wish we could get it back."
"Fix the restaurant. There used to be a lot of weddings there."
"We used to have leisurely meals there in the old days, it was
great. Mom saved swizzle sticks from the restaurant that she still
has."
"I did many of the repairs for the restaurant, built the bridges over
the ponds."
21 The Ka u Listening Project
"My grandfather helped erect the beams in the Aspen Institute and
some of the other building there. I worked on the golf course for 8
years."
"The restaurant was nice. Lots of locals used it. We liked the
entertainment."
Stron¢ Family Caretakin¢
Countless people mentioned how they take care of other family members
and how important that value is to their beliefs and their lifestyle.
Whether it was a disabled child, elderly parent, or teenagers that needed
extra attention because of the prevalence of drugs, an adult often
reported staying home for these reasons.
"I came back to help take care of my father, who is bed ridden. My
dad worked for sugar plantation 45 to 50 years. My mom worked
for Mac Nut for couple of years. My wife, son, and daughter are still
in Las Vegas. When my daughter graduates, she will move here
too.°
"The Filipino style is you take care of family, your parents."
"I was a junior in college when the plantation closed. I thought that
I was going to have to quit in order to help make ends meet. My
father said no, my husband said no. My father reminded me that I
had talked about being a teacher since I was `this high."'
Widespread Caretakin¢ amon¢ Informal Networks
"The Red Hats Club, the Senior Ceramics Club and the Kalai
Quilters all created projects and have raised some $28,000 to date
for specific equipment. The community support has been amazing
and wonderful. I am from rural health care in Canada and this
community that has so little gives so much." [Hospital personnel]
At the Pahala Boys and Girls Club, The Assembly of God Church donates
their room for the club. The Club is funded through grants and
donations, with 105 enrolled members and about 60 kids each day after
school. County people do Meth/Ice education. Community volunteers
teach hula, sewing, juggling, and ukulele.
"These are rough times. There is lots of volunteer work."
22 The Ka u Listening Project
"The Ka u Research and Distance Learning Center does an
emergency response academy where students learn C.P.R., fire
fighting, and so on. If kids are in good standing, they can go there
after school, just to hang out, study, talk stuff over. There's a
computer lab there."
Accomplishin¢ Community Development Protects
"Farmers market is in its 6th year and going strong. We encourage
local arts and crafts and growers. We have 36 growers in the Ka u
coffee coop." [Na'alehu Farmers Mazket]
"The 4th of July celebration in Na'alehu back in the sugar days was
outstanding. It had a pazade, booths, rodeos of all kinds, and
several levels of competition. It was throughout the community.
Everybody helped out. That went away when the mill closed."
Vitality, Talent, Resourcefulness and Creativity
"The expansion of coffee growing in the last few years is nothing
short of remazkable. It shows the resourcefulness of people as they
persevered with very little support."
"My father came from Philippines in 1946. He stazted saving for
college money before his kids were ever born. He was very
supportive of education."
"Ocean View is and has come a long way and we have so much
more than we used to, and everything we have is because of the
dedication of the community citizens. We built the community
center. We built and maintain the road system. We built and set
up Kahuku Park. We have lobbied for the water system that is
finally coming in."
Community Issues Related to Social Capital
This section describes the current challenges residents face for which
they are seeking some change or improvement.
Commutin¢
"Transportation is a big deal here."
23 The Ka u Listening Project
"People are surviving here, but that's not living. You can't make the
trip to Kona everyday and live, it's just not possible."
"It's hard to leave at 3:30 and come back at 7:30. There's no time
left for kids, usually they are asleep when I return home. It takes a
little over 3 'h hours to get to Kona. Coming back, it's longer."
"Lots of workers have left me for Kona but it's difficult and there
are a lot of costs driving to Kona. We have found that it takes
$10/hr extra before it is worth it. It's an extra 5 hours a day, many
workers come back." [Employer]
"With all the commuting, there is no time for your kids. Kids have
no time either. We need a kids' club. I know one family, the wife
commutes to Hilo and the husband to Kona. Can you imagine the
fuel costs?"
"My husband and I have 7 sons, all working in various hotels in
South Kohala, and one daughter, asingle-mom, working in Hilo
with Hawaiian Air. All of our 8 children graduated from local Ka u
schools. When the sugar company closed, some went to work first
in macadamia farms and eventually in different hotels in South
Kohala. They commute about 3 hours everyday, including
weekends."
"I don't have access to the parents of the students because so
many of them commute long distances to work and thus have long
days." [Teacher]
"I don't like all this commuting. It affects the whole family. Kids are
left alone. We wonder why there is no family life. If my parents are
on welfare, I think I'm set, no problems."
"I wanted to shift to carpentry but I got into an accident
commuting to Kohala. Now I have nerve damage and I can't do
heavy work."
"My nieces drive too much. It is just a matter of time. It's Russian
roulette before they are hurt. If you can't eat, what are you going to
do?"
"I commute to Kona everyday from Pahala because I want to come
home to a country rural life style where there is no hustle and
bustle. I don't mind commuting 2 hours each way so that I can
have a way of life I want. I can fish, hunt, come to the beach
24 The Ka u Listening Project
anytime with no gates and anyone telling me to stay off the beach
or when to come and leave."
"Mothers wonder if their kids will come home from work in Kona
and Hilo. A car can be replaced but not human life. When you
leave work everyone has a right to get home safely. What chance do
they have when on the road 4 hours a day, none."
"People don't want to commute. However, the bus system has
really improved the quality of life azound here."
"My son commutes to Waimea, some 87 miles to the north, to work
in construction. I think about 85% of Pahala working people
commute to work, caught up in terrible traffic on the way to Kona
or Waimea."
"I commute with four other people to Kona, to work there as a
chamber maid in a hotel. I have to come home to Na'alehu
everyday, to take caze of my kids, the second one being only two
years hold. I would prefer to find employment closer to home."
"I know commuting is a burden but I have a friend who has a job
and no one came to fill it." [Common]
"I have roots here. We aze the working people. My son is in
construction in Waikoloa. He has to drive all day."
"With the parents being gone long after the kids are home, they get
into trouble. There is no aunty, or grandpazent to take caze of
them because now everyone in the family is working."
Family and Community Life
"I can barely make the rent and pay the bills. I have an upstairs
apaztment. The kids stay outside my place all night and do drugs
and race up and down the street. The kids got no future, nothing
constructive to do."
"There needs to be some place for people to congregate. I'm a
musician, and there is no place to just hang out and play. People
used to play at the theatre but now it's closed down°
"You have a tremendous artist community here and they need an
outlet."
Zg The Ka u Listening Project
"Commuting steals from the family, takes away so much family
time. Your quality of living is so depleted. We used to come to
beaches as family. No time for that now."
"Camping is not an impact on the land, there needs to be more
camping sites.°
"The elderly parents of my classmates have to leave too because
there family is not here to take care of them. I see deterioration of
the family unit because of youth drug abuse and teen pregnancy."
Kids and Youth
The lack of jobs, especially for young people, was the most widespread of
all community issues.
"Kids would come over to my shop all the time and ask me for a
job. I just had no work for them."
"Students graduate here and then nothing. No jobs for them.°
"I want to go to college and come back here after college."
"We need more parks and recreation for kids so they don't get into
trouble."
"I myself will probably have to go to the mainland to be near my
kids. It hurts to feel that my kids will never move back. We have to
be near them for our old age."
"Youth face such issues as drug abuse, being by themselves too
much, teen pregnancy, and lack of jobs. Even if a teenager gets
pregnant, the Hawaiians nurture them as if she is a flowerbed-the
seed has been planted. Now honor that and teach them to be good
parents." [Youth services professional]
"I worry about the kids. Will they have to move to the mainland?"
"This is a nice retirement place but not so good for the youth."
Dru¢ and Alcohol Abuse
People associated drug and alcohol abuse to a depressed economy and
the lack of alternative activities. Residents describe the Ice use as
endemic and including all levels of society from professional people to
workers.
2( The Ka u Listening Project
~lx
"If you are young and into drugs, you have to leave to get out of it."
"Ice is a huge problem. People I was raised with are into it and I've
had to disown them. It's one thing to hit on 19-year-old girls but
these guys are going after 14-year-old girls. These guys, they just
go around in circles when they get on Ice. It's bad."
"There are no opportunities for employment. When hopelessness
sets in, drugs are the result."
Housing
"We need affordable housing here in Ka u. Prices are going up. We
live in Discovery Harbor because it was affordable."
"Money talks and we are out."
"Speculators take advantage, leaving many native people homeless.
Jobs can be found but prices are high. All of the pay check goes to
commuting, rent, etc."
"I like the OHA housing model best because you could build a
shack on it and it was OK. It is not important if people didn't own
the land. The house doesn't have to be great because you live
outside."
"This area needs affordable houses."
"The plantation homes in Pahala are now running from $250,000
to $300,000. You think local people are buying those? No, they are
newcomers."
"To pay $150,000 is affordable, and $200,000 is too much. Hawaii
Homelands built homes at Discovery Harbor but they were too
expensive for us."
"I resent the fact that Pahala people are losing their homes to
outsiders who exploit the economic hardships of the owners."
"My wife knows households that have 3-4 families in them. It's not
good."
"My son has a $178,000 mortgage and pays $1400/mo
A mortgage like that means that locals are working 2-3 jobs."
27 The Ka u Listening Project
s_~~j,
Education
A number of parents and community members are currently working
together to address perceived shortcomings in local schools, particularly
Na'alehu Elementary. Concerns include passing students on without
competency, an inappropriate focus by DOE on new buildings instead of
additional staff, and the lack of communication between pazents and
administrators.
People expressed pride in Ka u High School, particularly for its growing
athletic program. Participation in sports activities has gone from 37% to
over 80%, attributed largely to three buses kids can use to get to and
from after-school programs. They aze the hele-on buses, the regular bus
and the sports bus. The decision by Hawaii County to provide the hele-on
bus for this purpose has been especially appreciated.
Sports activities have now expanded to include riflery and many other
choices. Both school personnel and young people have reported that
attitudes are much better now and that fighting has gone down. The
majority of students at the high school come from Ocean View.
The central issue for high school students remains, what to do after
school. Youth and parents throughout the community brought this topic
up frequently. Parents are deeply worried that their children have to
leave to get meaningful employment. Kids don't want to go into
agricultural work, and very few other options exist.
"I talk to the seniors as they are getting ready to graduate. They
don't know what they aze going to do. They are not motivated by
school and have no future plans. The high school does not teach
applicable skills. There is no auto mechanic shop. The agricultural
program is going down hill. There is talk about a carpentry class
starting this yeaz but I don't know if it started.
"I like the school. My kids like the school. My oldest likes reading. I
am so lucky my kids like going to school."
"The educational system here is poor and the only jobs people are
qualified for after school are menial labor."
"I'd like to see after school activities."
"I'm one of the very few local kids who went to college and also
came back. When I told my folks what field of study I was going
into, they said I was nuts. But now they love what I am doing."
2$ The Ka u Listening Project
~~t
"I am the only one in my family to go to college."
"Parents are stretched with long commutes and little resources.
Need to help them see that they are partners with the schools."
"There is a scarcity of teachers, with high turnover and lots of
substitutes. We need separate school districts rather than the
state-run system we have now. That way, communities will feel
ownership and pride of their local schools."
An educational center was important to a great number of people. Some
people talked about a community college or a vocational school. In
several conversations with some key individuals, suggested topics were:
Drug 8v alcohol education Plumbing
Substance abuse program Electrical contracting
Counseling Police and emergency services
Language 8v literacy instruction Early childcare
Cosmetology Aging classes
Hairdressing Real estate
Barbershop Tax preparation
Emergency Medical Technicians Ecology
Marine sciences Marine ecology
Fire sciences Plant husbandry
Carpentry Welding
Woodworking Solar contracting
"Maybe we can use the theater for a community college. Offer
classes that are compatible with the community, perhaps with
certification. The people will come if classes are non-threatening
and an honest, humanistic approach is used."
"The people here, if given an opportunity, they could excel at
higher education."
"I think there should be a university extension campus out here
and that would keep students and adults here to get education in
the sciences, with all the ocean and fish what a perfect place to
learn."
"We cannot get skilled work here, in a whole range of jobs."
[Frequent]
"Adult and youth classes are needed to improve lives."
29 The Ka u Listening Project
Hospital, Medical and Emerf:ency Services
"Our community support is high. As the community grows,
outpatient services and care will grow. We must be able to meet
the growing needs of the community. We are along-term care
facility and so we don't have the beds for the short-term care. They
have to be transported to Kona or Hilo." [Hospital administrator]
"People of this community have fought to keep this hospital open.
Through various means this is a hospital funded and supported by
the people who live here."
"This last year, the Red Hat ladies, Ka Lae Quilters and Na alehu
Senior Citizens' Ceramics group raised almost $30,000. All for
much needed emergency room equipment. This frees the nurses up
to do other important work. I've never been at a hospital like this,
where people care so much."
"Weneed anassisted-living, better acute medical care."
"The area needs elderly care and elderly housing."
"There is no drug treatment inpatient or outpatient support or
clinic here and we desperately need one. There is a high percentage
of drug use and with no access to help. They have to go to Kona or
Hilo."
"We need more home-health care providers. Right now, there are
two in Na'alehu and one in Pahala. There is a large senior
community living in the area and moving here. The Ka'u Hospital
needs to provide for more long-term patients and for more
emergency needs and outpatient needs."
"We don't even have the basics at this hospital. We need
everything. More beds, long-term Gaze, better phone system, more
staff, update equipment, and new equipment."
"Health care is so bad here that when we get to an age that we
need care, we'll have to move back to the mainland."
"We badly need afire-suppression team and Emergency Medical
Technicians here."
"We need more police patrolling the beaches and roads."
30 The Ka a Listening Project
~ i
"Fire protection, first responders, and ambulances are in short
supply."
"If you're fairly healthy, OK, but if you have to go to the doctors
often or need special care, you'd better live somewhere else.
Medical care is minimal here. We go to Kona or Hilo to buy our
needs, go to the doctor, dentist etc."
Civil Services
"Waiohino is our closest waste station and some people who don't
have much money will not drive that far and throw their trash into
a puka, just any of hole. That is also the problem with non
working cars-people drag them up on to the road and now it's a
county problem. Well, maybe that's okay. At least it's not collecting
in their yard. The county has taken away some 365 junk cars since
the beginning of the year."
Financial Capital
Financial capital refers to the ways money is channeled and allocated in
a community to serve human needs and also provide a profit for the
owners of capital commensurate with the risk. When development
projects are driven strictly by economic and profit considerations,
negative impacts to natural and social capital may result. Conversely,
financial capital that addresses the economic, cultural and ecological
health of an area contributes to sustainability in the long term.
The forms of livelihood in a community change over time. In the Ka'u
District, sugar cane production dominated the economy between 1868
and 1996, when the last mill closed in Pahala. The Ka'u area is still
undergoing a transition from the plantation economy. In the eleven years
since the C. Brewer plantation closed, residents have continued to make
adjustments.
"In 1972 the Hutchinson sugar mill closed. It's that old building on
the right as you start up the hill to Na'alehu. It combined with the
other existing mill. So they went from 2 shifts a day to 24J7 shifts
and it changed the cycle."
"Plantation managers were kings and there were differences.
Na alehu got a club house, and an elaborate 4th of July tradition. I
miss that 4th of July tradition."
j ~ 31 The Ka u Listening Project
a
Cattle production similarly has supported a large portion of the
population for many generations. The subsistence economy of gathering,
fishing, hunting, and gardening helped people survive for hundreds of
years and remains important today for many families.
In this mix of economic sectors present at any one time, individuals and
families have to create their own strategies of livelihood, responding to
opportunity as they can, creating opportunity when possible. For
example, since the close of the sugar plantations, coffee growing has
slowly increased in Ka'u, and residents report an upsurge in production
and interest, especially since Ka'u coffee won a number of prestigious
taste competitions recently.
Today, residents say that the major ways of making a living are with mac
farms, schools, medical services, cattle ranching, construction, and
commuting to the labor markets in Hilo, Kona, and the Kohala coast.
"They used to railroad sugar up to the warehouse that was up
there at Black Sand Beach. Ships would come into the harbor and
they would row boat the sugar sacks out to the ships. I remember
playing on the sugar bags."
"Sugar was our economic engine that made the community work.
We need a new one.°
"The economy is diversified but a core business focus would be a
blessing."
Community Issues Related to Financial Capital
Economic Base
"The hospital, the macadamia farmers and DOE [Department of
Education] are the main employers here in Pahala."
"The dairy just closed last year, that was really too bad."
"We have the highest teen pregnancy in the state. We need
education and training for local people that need jobs. Simple jobs
like auto mechanics or jobs that need some technical certification.
We have plenty of tourists who don't have the chance to spend
much of their money because the bus doesn't stop anywhere else
except the bakery in Na alehu."
32 The Ka u Listening Project
"Baby boomers are retiring over the next 20 years. This place will
grow there is no choice. How it grows is what we have a choice
about.
"The retirement community is stable. They have pensions and
social security. They could be a significant impact on the area,
forcing better medical care, elder care. The quality of life would
improve for all ages."
"Refrigerated Containers come in here just to Kmart, Wa1Mazt and
Costco from the mainland and China. They aze filled with goods
and they go home empty. Why not find an export and fill those
containers?"
"I'd like to start a bakery. There is none here and it's needed. They
need better schools here. My granddaughter came to visit me and
she had nothing to do and there was nowhere I could take her."
"I am concerned about the roads and the ability of people to get
azound, especially if there is a natural disaster. That one road will
be a nightmare if there is ever an emergency. The roads are unsafe
and crowded and need to be addressed."
Agriculture
Since the plantations closed, large tracts have been sold to a small set of
owners who are doing a variety of things with them. Some lands have
been protected, some reportedly have subdivisions planned for them, and
some of them have been subdivided into 5-20 acre lots and leased for
coffee and vegetable growing. Local observers feel optimistic about coffee
and believe the acreage devoted to it is expanding. Coffee recently won
international taste tests which aze expected to increase demand for Ka u
coffee. The Ka u Coffee Growers Cooperative with about 12 members was
formed recently, and are talking about developing processing capability.
Some of the largest landowners have banded together and formed a water
cooperative, with interest in refurbishing some of the 30 vertical tunnels
drilled decades ago, which at the time transmitted water to operate the
sugar cane flumes. Although apparently not all the legal issues have
been resolved, the water coop hopes to sell water for agricultural and
residential purposes.
Large farm supervisors and small farmers stated that it is impossible to
find farm labor. Small farmers rely on family picking operations, while
M.L. Industries has relied on importing foreign workers, an enterprise
fraught with uncertainties.
~pg 33 The Ka u Listening Project
wg~~
"DLNR [Department of Land and Natural Resources] has 2000
acres coming up for bid and I want to create a co-op of farmers
that all want to sign on for a designated amount of years to farm
small 5/ 10 acre farms up mauka of Na'alehu. It's hard work but
really important and worth while."
"There could be a great orange crop and it would produce 2 or 3
times a yeaz. It could be an international market. We'd never really
compete with the big boys in Florida, but it would be another
Hawaiian crop. Just like coffee is coming along. Well let's look at
other agriculture. The plant here could grow, pick, process,
package, and ship. It would require both skilled and unskilled
labor. Holland is the largest grower of orchids. We could come a
long way in international competing for the flower. Create a mac
nut co-op so the smaller farmers can join in and create a lazger
presence."
"There is no place to sell your mac nuts locally. Mac farms used to
buy from local farmers but they don't now. Our neighbor just got
1,400 lbs. and they took their nuts to Hilo to the Mauna Loa
factory."
"We have a number of cottage industries here. There are 4 lettuce
growers that mazket to the Kohala Coast to the high-end
restaurants and resort hotels. If they are growing in Ocean View,
then water is an issue because it costs a lot to be a fazmer. High
tech businesses could come in-we have high speed Internet in
Ocean View. Coffee is grown and Ka u is getting better known for
coffee."
"This area should consider aworld-class slaughter house, so you
can ship anywhere. New Zealand is the model for this thinking.
Because they can meet all standards, they can compete anywhere.°
"Create affordable housing and support agriculture using land
trusts. You don't own the land, but as long as you stay in
agriculture, you have cheap housing."
"The mac farms are keeping us alive."
"Have development in Pahala and Na alehu, focus on agriculture."
"Kids don't want to go into farm work. It's not what they want.
Many are not fast enough to harvest it."
34 The Ka'u Listening Project
a
"Agriculture is the roots of this area. I wonder how we could tie
agriculture into economic growth. Maybe biofuels could work
here."
"There are many part-time farmers who live here. Many travel to
Hilo and Kona for work during the week, long, tiresome trips. After
work and on weekends, they have to tend to the plants."
"A huge labor deficit situation affects the ag industry. People were
working last year seven days a week just to get the harvest in."
"The agricultural sector is suffering. Labor shortages are the worst
but also water is lacking. These are the best soils and productivity
anywhere, the potential is enormous."
"I like rural agriculture and the lifestyle. You can raise families,
own your own homes."
"We should develop the agricultural economy, not tourism. The
plantations screwed the land for 100 years. New crops recently
include the kava and grapes. Mac nuts are in decline. Coffee
production is up. It's an emerging niche. The Four Seasons [Resort]
is buying Pahala coffee. Ocean View is growing more Protea
flowers."
Jobs
"Kids need to learn a trade so they can stay here and work close to
home, but then there are no jobs. We need development."
"The area is economically depressed. Young people need
somewhere to work and something to do. Without work they turn
to drugs and hang out. There is no work for young people even
when they want to work."
"Families want to work where they live and be home in the
evenings. We will lose a segment of the age group if we lose families
with kids."
"Right now adults and parents do not have much of a choice in
where they work. They are stuck. Choices to live and work here is
less important for us than our young people."
"I'm in a union carpenter and I go to work in Kona, and I come
home to this beauty. I don't want that to change. I can ask the
union boss to work here if there is work."
_ 35 The Ka u Listening Project
g~ tii+
"The wages are low here in Ka u. People think they go work Kona
or Hilo, they make more money but that's not true. They don't
equate the time they're on the road with lost wages. Four hours of
drive time means their $13 an hour is less. So when they work
Ka u, they don't realize they can make less money and still be
ahead. They need be educated to understand it. Finally my
employees realize $10/hour is better than $13 in Kona."
"We can't find anyone for the labor we need-plumbing, cleaning,
mac nut picker. You just can't find skilled workers."
"The mac nut farms are unable to find enough workers, requiring
them to import foreign workers from Thailand and other places."
Services
"We need `things'-a store that has enough of the things that we
need.°
Alternative Economic Futures in Ka u
Residents of Ka'u freely discussed the economic structure of their
communities. The economic sectors that were doing well or less well were
frequent topic of everyday conversation. People understand that
economic diversity is important for sustaining their area so that
downturns in any one sector can be absorbed in the other sectors.
The alternatives discussed below that citizens talked about were:
1. Doing nothing
2. Fostering a strong agricultural base
3. Support Medical Services as Economic Base with Retirement
4. Decide that some level of economic activity is acceptable at
Punalu~u and determine what it is
While our mission did not permit an assessment of the viability of these
options, the perceptions and opportunities residents described are
included below.
1. Doing Nothing
In the doing nothing alternative, existing trends continue. Residents
report these to be:
g, 36 The Ka u Listening Project
u
The expected continued decline of the macadamia nut industry in
the face of global competition
• Modest growth of residential and retirement living, with some
attendant economic benefits of construction and medical services.
Many residents point to the number of unpurchased house lots as
evidence of modest demand for housing from outsiders.
The gradual expansion of coffee and perhaps other specialty crops
• An increased reliance on commuting to the urban labor markets of
Hilo, Kona and the Kohala coast
• Continued stress on family life from commuting and attendant
other social problems
The loss of youth from the area due to lack of opportunities
A graying of the population as existing residents get older and
newcomers are retired people
• Escalating land and living costs fostering a concern that lower
income individuals and families could be displaced from the area
• Continued modest subsistence fishing and hunting
• Diminished opportunities
Residents commented:
"Without development: only the old will be left, the young people
will be gone."
"Our culture is of fishing and farming. Both are hard work. It's not
an 8 to 5 job."
"If the young families begin moving out of the area, the schools will
suffer as funding is directly linked to student population. In the
secondary schools, the ability to offer upper-level math and science
will be diminished, and the fine arts programs will suffer."
"Without economic activity, the area will be a pocket of poverty.°
3'J The Ka u Listening Project
~ar~`iup
2. Fostering a Strong Agricultural Sector
Many residents believe that fostering a stronger agricultural base is
feasible and should be supported by policy makers. Although many are
aware that agricultural labor is hard to find, some are optimistic because
of the success of coffee growing in recent years and because many
newcomers get involved at some scale in agriculture. In addition there
are some ideas being talked about where larger tracts of land could be
subdivided and developed to not only support agriculture, but housing
needs as well. One scenario has a nonprofit land trust holding title of
land, while lessees are permitted to build and live in homes as long as
agricultural activity is maintained.
"Ka u coffee now has a name. It can be a crop that will create a few
more jobs. But coffee is hard work and not everyone can do coffee
farming. I don't know about other crops, maybe, noni (a fruit),
some other farming may work. But look at the mac nut farms.
They are having a hard time. They can't find workers. They may be
going under."
"Ka u has the largest cattle count in the state. We could have a
slaughterhouse here where everything is done and the package is
shipped out to the world. A first class operation."
"We need agricultural business. We have fertile land from
Waiohinu to Pahala, but then there is no water makai of the
highway, Waiohinu to Na'alehu. So then farming is not reliable if
you have to buy water. Perhaps catchment systems."
"This area is cattle, farming, and fishing. We like open space."
"On this island, coffee is marketed to the mainland
They could handle more coffee growers. There are jobs available for
coffee pickers, but people don't want to work picking. It is intense,
rough work."
"The best coffee from Hawaii is from Ka'u. In the Kona area,
growers are very coordinated. They have been in the business. We
are trying to expand marketing, Internet sales to mainland."
"The County should promote diversified agriculture. Agriculture is
more stable as a community force. The government should push
and support it. It's hard work but many affiliated tasks are not, so
it can support many people. It could be a choice besides a resort.
There is a history of agriculture here, of government and
landowners working together to bring up economic productivity."
3g The Ka u Listening Project
u~,
"The type of economic development in Ka'u should be agriculture.
We have great soil here and can grow a lot. Agricultural tourism is
big in other countries and we could focus on that."
"Build up tourism that is agriculturally-based."
A couple thoughtful observers noted that agriculture in concert with
conservation employment can offer a viable economic base for the Ka u
District. They pointed to the appreciable employment of local people by
the National Park Service and the potential of the Ka u Preservation
vision of development as evidence that this approach could work. Section
Four discusses this idea more fully.
3. Support Medical Services as Economic Base with Retirement
Some residents suggested building upon existing medical services and
the trend of modest retirement influx into this area. Local medical staff
were less optimistic about such a scenario being feasible because of
Ka u's geographic isolation. With specialists and the urban populations
at least 60 miles away, the local population would not be great enough to
support such a scenario in their view. However, the retirement/medical
services sector could be an important component of a diverse economy.
"Retirement is happening naturally anyway and is at a pace that is
better for the community. This is a form of development."
"Hawaii could have an in-house drug treatment facility, where
people from the mainland could come and receive services and heal
and enjoy the Hawaiian air and beach. What a great way to make
money and help those who need it."
"We need anassisted-living center and doctors. Growth is going to
come, but what size. We can determine the size."
"I want to get into the medical field and then come back here after
college."
"The Ka u health care industry created $5 - 7 million in one year,
from hospitals and the services to other health care professionals.
It all ripples out to create other revenue from the spin off."
"When we saved the hospital, it impacted the entire state, as 7
other hospitals followed format and have gotten funding."
39 The Ka u Listening Project
n~
"Distance learning for health care will help partnering with
hospitals, doctors, with practices in the local health care settings.°
"Retirement and health as economic sector does not pencil out
here, so you would be talking a luxury spa."
"If it's all retirees, then get medical here as part of the economy."
4. Decide that some level of economic activity is acceptable at
Punalu'u and determine what that is
Residents are aware that Punalu'u is the only place in the Ka u District
that is zoned for resort development. While there is substantial
opposition to the concept of any resort development at that site, most
people instead asked for modest development of a modest size that can
be absorbed by the communities.
The various development alternatives that residents talked about for
Punalu~u is discussed in the next section.
g# 40 The Ka u Listening Project
~#,~e up
Section Four
Sea Mountain Five: Issues, Opportunities and
Alternatives
Introduction
As the Mayor stated in his September 4 address to the Ka'u Chamber of
Commerce, "There is no Sea Mountain project yet, just a vision. Is it the
right vision for us?°
This section discusses the issues described by local residents and their
ideas for improving the proposed project. It will explore the ways in
which citizens said the Community Benefits Package could be improved,
as well as other ways to strengthen the proposal and foster a greater
good for the community.
The level of information people have about the Sea Mountain Five
proposal is low. People generally are not very informed about the details
of the proposal or the status of negotiations about the "community
benefits package." Many myths and rumors about the project are part of
local conversafion. The most often cited, and mistaken, belief is that the
proposed development will shut off beach access, for example. The
communication gap has been worsened by the polarization and conflict
expressed about this issue, to the point that the Community Benefits
Package was not completed, as described more fully below.
When residents talked about Sea Mountain Five and the question about
whether development should occur or not, JKA estimates that about
15-20°l° of the people said, "No way, under any circumstances,"
another 15-20% said, "Yes," without the need for further discussion,
and about 60-70% said, "It depends." The section on Issues below will
explain the various concerns people would like to see addressed before
deciding on the development.
The main headings in this section are:
1. Community Themes Related to Sea Mountain Five
2. Community Issues Related to Sea Mountain Five
3. The Current Status of the Community Benefits Package
4. Alternative Futures at Punalu~u
41 The Ka a Listening Project
Community Themes Related to Sea Mountain Five
The two major themes reported by residents reflect opposing positions:
1. "No development at Punalu'u, period."
"With the housing as it is (in the proposal) it will be housing for
rich people. It will be like Kona, not for the workers."
"I don't want to see any development down there. There are many
other lands. What about the mountains, build there. Use that for
development, not the beach. Keep away from the beach area. It is
run down and should be built back up to the way it used to be.
Update what is there."
"Once it starts, you can't go back." [Common]
"The aquifer in Punalu~u is unequaled anywhere and must be
protected. Two thousand feet is the minimum setback for
protection."
"I'm leaving because everyone at this meeting is pro development.
I'm not comfortable here, so I'm going."
"Don't let them developers come in here. They promise us things
but don't keep their promise. People here care and are fighting for
the wilderness that is here. No one is held accountable in our
current administration."
"I watched Kailua-Kona go from aone-stop-light `fishing village' to
what it has become now the Orange County of Hawaii. Believe it or
not, it could happen in Ka u also."
"If you use Hawaii laws, we are an occupied country. International
law, too. The people still feel like the land is occupied."
"I am tired of catering to the rich and the rich keeping us poor. The
bottom line is invaders come here and take my land."
"All our lives, this has been our land. There is a certain pride in
land and this is our home. We are the host. Developers buy the
place then the developer is host, and now people are tourists in
their own land."
42 The Ka u Listening Project
~i~x
"The rich will get stronger control and everything. We will be in
their total power."
"I say no. Ka u is very native. Keep it native."
"No one wants development here because their taxes will go up."
"In the end the developers get their money and the community gets
the traffic, the noise, the commercial interest. The entire character
of the community is forever changed."
"Once the land is lost there will be no going back. Development will
spread like a cancer.^
2. "Development at Punalu'u can be positive if it is done with
balance."
"We can save the turtles and what about the children's future?"
"Everyone wants to save the coast line. We all want to see it
preserved and not built upon. Save the turtles. So how do you
manage that with growth, with needed infrastructure, jobs, better
hospital services, better police, more affordable homes?"
"When I look at the redevelopment at Punalu~u, I ask myself these
4 questions:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build good will and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
I say Yes to all these things for the project."
"We are for development. We need the jobs, sugar is out. We
represent families from way back. Some kids want to stay, too
many kids have had to go away. Make sure you save the right of
way to the water, for fishing, for throwing our nets.° [7 Japanese
men at their lunch]
"I built the homes and the golf courses at Kukio. They did a great
job at the beach. They gave to charitable organizations and take
good care of the beach park. They paid for all the infrastructure."
[Construction worker at Black Sand Beach]
"We will get better health care and infrastructure."
43 The Ka u Listening Project
"We are in support of the development plans. It will benefit the
residents of Ka'u for generations to come. This area has been
depressed for years and needs economic development. This
community is in dire need of the jobs that will be created if
the development is allowed to go forward." [Punalu'u condo owner]
"This area is already developed, so let's redevelop and make it
better, bring back the beach where there used to be a nice wide
beach.
"We don't want WalMart. Tourism is the only way to create an
economy. Attract a developer that will take care of the land and be
responsible to the people and will benefit the local culture and
history. Will there be a learning center? We think Punulu'u is a
good plan."
"A small minority of people killed every venture that could have
brought this area job, careers, and an economic base. Riviera,
prison, space port, Hawaiians say no to it all."
"The minority oppose all economic growth from an emotional
stance. Chideak, Riviera, the prison, the space port-all stopped
and it would have brought tremendous economic growth for our
children.°
"I love the rural live and beauty of the country side. When you look
up from the store, the mountains are beautiful. I don't want that to
change, but on the other hand, we need some type of growth or
there will be no future. All the kids will grow up and leave."
"I am for development if we have a say in it. Right now, only one
group is speaking for us without our permission."
"If we see developers as opportunities and work with them, we get
further, get more resources. Resources are scarce here, developers
pay taxes and that helps us."
"I want Ka u to stay Ka u. Keep it rural. That's why I live here, and
I don't think the development will change the quality of life."
"I think the development will improve the quality of life. It will
bring new jobs, new careers, and new opportunities."
"I'm the oldest fisherman here. Here the longest. I see a need for
jobs. I'm for the development."
q4 The Ka a Listening Project
Other themes, often heard, were these:
"Ka u people are the only people that know what is good for
Punalu~u."
"Sea Mountain Five has gone out of their way to listen to us. They
have added acres to park land, there will be jobs created. Fifty-six
acres is going to be given to the county for public space."
"People have kept their imagination in and let their anger out."
"The first rule is, don't destroy."
"Any plan will need a lot of care. I call it Natural Development. It
includes preservation of the biological world, and takes care of the
people. Any planner and developer needs to know this."
"Right now my children are safe, we can leave the doors open.
Development can bring outsiders. We need to keep a watch."
Communitll Issues Related to Sea Mountain Five
The many community issues that residents shared about the current Sea
Mountain Five proposal are reported here, starting with the issues on
which there was full agreement in the community, and including a list of
other concerns.
Consensus Issues
There was agreement among most people about key features of Punalu~u
that need protection, no matter what choice was made about
development. Almost all people talked about the importance of
• Full protection of sea life, shoreline resources, and environmental
quality
• Keeping the Punalu'u Beach the way it is now for future
generations
• Assuring that the beach area keeps a local feel, without gates or
hours of operation, with beer drinking and camping
• Protection and respect for cultural sites
• Forever
When people were asked about the current Sea Mountain Five proposal,
there was a pattern in their responses. The first thing they said was
protection of the beach, having a local feel for the beach, with protection
45 The Ka u Listening Project
.,t'e talt
of turtles and shoreline resources. The second thing they said was "Jobs"
and not just entry-level jobs and linked to a meaningful job training
program.
Most people were not familiar with the details of the proposal. When
informed about the number of hotel and residential units and the cost of
the homes, typically there would be a pause, and then, "That's pretty
big." And then they would say, "That's not housing for us."
It appears from our fieldwork that there is an instinctive reaction to Sea
Mountain Five-that it is somehow out of scale with the rest of the
community in this geographic azea. There was lots of fear, as well,
connected with the resort failing. Also, there was a desire to have
°controlled development." However that term is defined, it is not Waikiki,
Honolulu, or Kailua-Kona. Also, people did not want gates, either to the
beach area or to the homes, because of the exclusivity it implies.
The following pages describe in more detail what people had to say about
these design elements.
Information, Rumors and Communication
"I don't know that much about it, I hear different stories from
different people and don't really know what to believe." [Very
common]
°I heaz they will put up gates and we won't be able to use the
beach.° [Common]
"People don't have enough information on the issues."
"I want more information about what is on the table with the
developers."
"People here have the opportunity to direct the change, but need
help to do it."
"Developers state-wide have opportunities to be inclusive, but they
seem to split communities. It's not fair to blame them entirely but
it is common.°
Assurin¢ Commitments
"Get commitments to be legal on the part of SM5 and the county."
46 The Ka'u Listening Project
~nt~u~~
"Hokulia had an unfortunate history. It was the first in which the
county used a development contract. That mechanism had promise
for addressing inadequacies of development process."
"They've made contributions or commitments to the hospital, fire
station, and other things. Make sure you get it locked in."
"We don't trust developers. You can't believe that they will do what
they say they will." [Common]
"I fear development will not be built right so people say no to all
development."
"Assure things are done the way it's supposed to."
"The developer says this and that. If the development goes through,
it will not be built as they say it will be. They won't do what they
say they7l do."
"Once they start building, there will be no stopping development.
They chose to live by us. We didn't move to them--they moved to
us, so they better not try to change us.° [Hospital worker]
"So much talk, nothing in writing, makes people more distrustful.°
"We support Sea Mountain Five and they should be made to sign
in blood what they say they will give to the community and how
they will preserve the archeological sites and culture. I would like
to see controlled smart planning."
"There is no way to do development with good controls-they
always change the rules."
"Developers are willing to give 57 acres to community and maintain
it free of charge. Plus lmillion to hospital and 1 million to
community delve. They must be held accountable and feet held to
the fire."
"Don't let them developers come in here. They promise us things
but don't keep their promise. People here care and are fighting for
the wilderness that is here."
"There are always loopholes that must be protected against."
47 The Ka u Listening Project
~,r"~P
"If you can guarantee controlled growth, then maybe I would
support it, but I have little trust for developers. Once you let one
in, another one gets in."
"Will it work? There is a history of failed enterprises here. The golf
course and the restaurant have gone down. Where is the return on
investment? If times get hard, what promises are there?"
The Park, Access, the Beach, and Shoreline Resources
Support for protection of turtles and other shoreline resources is virtually
universal.
"We want development, but don't do anything to the coast line."
"Preserve the beach and turtles and develop good so there will be
job support. I wish we could have more field trips to learn things,
like turtles, science."
"White people say, `No access, it's mine.' You have to park far away
and walk in."
"If the land reverts to a county park, the county would have to put
up gates with locks. Parks close at 10 pm. The access for evening
night activities would be lost." [A local golf club group, all nodding
in agreement]
"Better access and rest rooms. The porta-potties were a good idea."
"All locals go to the pavilion and the beach. Once that goes, their
life is gone."
"Camping is a way of life here. Keep it just the way it is."
"We don't want to have to walk through the hotel to get to the
beach. We want our beach just the way it is. We don't want to see
all those umbrellas on the beach the way Hapuna Prince is now.
Keep it local. We don't want to park far away and walk in. No hotel
close on the beach."
"The beach is not big enough for new tourists. With new people
coming now, there is not enough room for all of us. It is not a nice
beach to swim in-the rip tides make it dangerous and you don't
go in there unless you really know."
4g The Ka u Listening Project
.,if~3
"It won't be our beach. We won't be able to drink beer, won't be
able to do ohana camping. The hotel won't want liability."
"The Ali i trail along the shoreline is very special. You can look up
and see an unrestricted view of the mountains."
"I don't want to see life styles change, keep access open. If this
were a park, it would close at night and open in the morning."
[Uncle, 60 years old]
"We are afraid we will be pushed off the beach by outsiders, and
some that live right now on the beach [pointing to a nearby house].
We want some development. We want the work. We want to be
near our kids."
"They can say the beach is open but later it will be closed. We will
lose our swimming."
"Yes to development but don't outlaw the cookhouses (the pulehu).
The smell of the BBQs sometimes is protested. It's the beach, for
goodness sakes. That is what it's for."
"On Oahu, you pack early and fight for parking. I used to walk to
Punalu~u as kid. There is just one beach here. We would be giving
up our beach for jobs."
Jobs
The descriptions from people are filled with the need to create jobs
locally. Besides beach access and protection of shoreline resources, this
issue was the most widespread in the community. Almost everybody
mentioned this in some form or another. For most, it was an issue
connected to young people. For many, this issue is closely linked to
another-commuting.
"What is needed is an expansion of this concept to include jobs
that create a multiplier effect, that is, jobs that create other
opportunities. A manager job held by a local puts the local hiring
of others closer to control by the community as opposed to a job
held by a grounds keeper. All are important but we need to think
through a "value added", "multiplier effect."
"Reasonable development in Punalu~u will result in jobs in other
towns. If there is not development at Punalu~u, there will be not
economic growth."
49 The Ka u Listening Project
"We need development at Punalu~u. It's not pristine, it's already
developed. We need jobs. Our children have no place to go and no
job opportunities for their future. Where will they go? What will
they do?"
"Development will bring in younger families and then the schools
would grow and the DOE [Department of Education] would have to
give more money to the schools. There would be more people in
church, there would be more service jobs and then there will be
more sustainable jobs to serve the workers."
"One of my sons and daughter-in-law live in a Waikoloa Village
condo and work in the resort. They like the resort and would come
back to Ka'u tomorrow if there were resort jobs."
"I have training in [culinary arts, hotel management], and I
could stop driving to Kona and the resorts if I got a local job."
[Several people]
"In Ka u, there is never anywhere for us kids to get a summer or
part-time job." [Frequent]
"Sure save the turtles, keep the beach sacred, but we need jobs.
We need more things to have happen for the district."
"Resort hotels can't survive without houses. The houses will
generate jobs. People are good with hands. We don't want a hand
out, people want to work."
"We're going to have jobs for you, clean, cook, sweep. We're tired of
these jobs."
"I am in favor of development at Punulu'u for the jobs and for
future of my children. It will provide some security to the area."
"If business is coming here, we don't want low-end jobs. We can
acquire skills to enter at higher level. Classes on beauty and hair
salons, management, cooks, security guards. Train guides that are
professional. I mean, no outsiders to manage us. Always outsiders
are flown in from LA to boss us without a knowledge of our culture
and lifestyles."
"I would like to see the development at Sea Mountain. I liked it
when the restaurant was there. Now, there are too many kids
without anything to do. I think that the developer will provide jobs
and beautify the area. I think is on the up and up."
50 The Ka u Listening Project
qtr
"Development will provide jobs, but will it provide jobs for locals? If
people are already driving to work on Kohala Coast in resorts why
wouldn't they want to stay home and work, make a better life?"
"I want development because then my children would be able to
stay in Ka u and work. Now they drive back and forth to Kona.
There is nothing for the young people to do here, no jobs no future,
no way to keep the family here."
"What kind of jobs and who will benefit? Kids gotta work, but kids
gotta want to get ahead. They can't get a hand out."
"If we can have them hire locals in the construction of the project,
there will be pride in the project after, because we were part of the
building. Then after, we can fit into the completed project, trained
as managers, landscapers, restaurant workers, and hospitality
which includes maid service, greeters, security. Through security,
find a way to move up to police and state police and beyond with
sequenced training."
Then her husband says,
"If development ever happens, there will be money and we will be
left out of employment." [They laugh at their differences.]
"I have training as a chef."
"The good jobs will be created by the building of the proposed
development and will only last the length of the project. After that,
only minimum wage service industry jobs will be available."
"Transient element [from temporary workers] means bars, singles
and trouble. Don't import workers." [3 comments]
"Jobs would bring choices so you can negotiate with your bosses.
Negotiation is easier when they know you have choices."
"We can't get employees now. We are short 50 trades people, all full
time employees. If the resort goes in, I know our employees will
want to leave here and go to work down there." [Mac nut
supervisor]
"Jobs yes, but often they will go to mainlanders. What are the
guarantees, especially good paying jobs?"
51 The Ka a Listening Project
A group of 7 young people had their trucks backed up to the beach one
day, talking and smoking. When they were approached to talk story, they
all said they did not want the development, that they did not want to risk
losing what they have now, today, at the beach. Then one of the young
men quietly said, "But I'd sure like a job so I don't have to drive so faz,"
stimulating a debate among them. If development would not risk the
beach experience they have now-no restrictions, a local feel, perhaps
they would consider it.
There are many people who reside in Ka'u who already trained in hotel
and resort management. They either work in Kona or Kohala or they aze
doing other work in Ka u. They reported training and experience in hotel
management, chefs, housekeeping, landscaping, accounting, and
personnel.
The Filipino community expressed the strongest interest in the jobs
represented by the development proposal. They also offered the most
unqualified support for job development, not attaching it to other
interests or conditions.
"We want more jobs. My son works in Kona at Waikoloa. If there
was a resort here he could be here."
"I want jobs for my children. If there needs to be a hotel, with no
college degrees, that's OK. We need hotel jobs."
Job Trainin¢
For many, a meaningful job training program is seen as an effective way
of assuring that local residents can compete for jobs. Many residents
pointed to their own skills or the skills of people they knew in saying that
there was a trained workforce in resort services now in Ka u and that
local employment could save them long commutes.
"We were negotiating to complete a job training package before it
got all controversial. Then everybody backed away." [Member of O
Ka u Kakou]
"People are already trained because of driving to Kona. These
people are trained. There is a whole bunch of people who live here
who could qualify for those jobs."
"Train the human relations people, the people doing the hiring, to
look for locals who can be successful. These developers seem to
want to do it right."
$2 The Ka u Listening Project
raia(3
"Start training ahead of time. Get people ready now."
"The developer must help get locals beyond entry level jobs. If the
resort could really help the community, I'll be there."
"We could compete for jobs OK. You have to want the job to get it.
Not everyone would want to work. Training should be put in place
to help those that want it."
"Create scholarship for kids to go to a school of their choice.°
"Get local apprentices, give young people a start."
"There are chefs, managers, local guys who are chefs in Kona,
cooks that go to Kona. They should get the jobs."
"I am experienced in restaurant work, pastries, and housekeeping.
I'd like to take on part time work."
Scale of Development
People informed about the project often say that the scale of the project
should be reduced, and even that the scale of development should match
and not exceed the scale of the nearby towns, about 500 units. They say
things like, "We'd like jobs, but we want controlled growth," or "scaled
down." "Controlled growth" was a very common term in the area. When
residents said that the development was too big, they were asked, "What
would be your magic number if you could decide?" The number of
housing units preferred ranged from 400 to 800 with about 600 the
average.
"Look at the beach. The resort is not the right kind for that beach.
It's not a stereotype Hawaii beach, white sands and huge like
Waikiki. It's small, local and rural. It should be a rural resort, for a
different type of traveler."
"We've been talking to developers for a year and half now. All of us
want to save Punalu~u. There has to be changes made to the plan,
scale it down."
"A resort is size appropriate with controlled growth to moderate
growth. Jobs are gone for young kids. They have to go Hilo or
Kona. A hotel can support the economy here and then other
businesses will come as a result."
53 The Ka'u Listening Project
~;e~
"The development has to come down in size. They have already
come down from 850 hotel rooms to 350 hotel rooms. This
development has done everything they can to listen to the
community and I think they will follow through on their promises."
"Punalu'u needs redevelopment. It's already zoned and ready to go,
but it should be a small resort."
"Scale down the development at Punalu'u, set back the
development to 450 feet. You can save the turtles and the coast
line, too."
"Bottom line-they can either have a larger hotel and less homes,
or a smaller hotel and more homes. We are only going to have one
resort on this side of the island so make it a great one. Let the jets
come in with the rich and famous, let them build an airstrip right
here, that would be a great economic boom."
"Keep it natural, not so overpopulated like Waikiki, keep the
natural beauty. We couldn't handle a large hotel."
"I'd like to see development for the jobs, but I'm concerned that
tourists would take over."
"I am in favor of the development ever since I found out that they
have scaled down the housing proposal."
"I am for development if it is smart development."
"That's a lot. It would be more houses than are in Na'alehu. It
sounds like Waikoloa. There should be housing for locals.°
"I'm for it. Develop what is there. Don't go overboard, Make sure
there are jobs."
"I want controlled development with preservation and public
access. I have 4 kids, 3 on the mainland. Don't make it so big as
being planned. The hotel is a plus, houses less than 500."
"If it gets too big, you can't handle it."
"I don't want a large resort. It should be small scale, where we can
control the development. Keep the beach the same. We don't want
to see large structures, we want to camp, have easy access to the
beach."
sq The Ka u Listening Project
t
"We need more amenities, small hotel, small scale, keep the beach
accessible and move everything back off the beach."
"Don't build it so big, build a small hotel. We need change but not
so big." [Hospital worker]
"The hotel will bring jobs and I hope they will hire our own boys.
Build a hotel but don't build 1000 homes. That's too many."
"We want development at Punalu~u and Pahala, not big, not too
much, scaled down with jobs and business to support business,
like coffee for the tourists.
"The number of homes is too much. There should be fewer units.
Taxes will go up and prices will go up." [Hospital workers]
"The developer's plan has parts in it that make money available to
the hospital, and for children and education. If the developers are
forced to consider a way scaled down plan, they probably will not
do anything. Only a reasonable development of a hotel/housing
with support services can make it profitable."
"They are not keeping the golf course off the shoreline. Their prime
hole is by church-their signature hole. They need to scale back."
"Pahala has about 500 homes and Na'alehu about 450 and people
want the resort at similar size."
"The projections would double the population of Na alehu. They
don't have the infrastructure."
For many people the question of scale, of how much development, relates
to the rural character of the Ka'u area, an idea developed further in a
later section.
"Tourist love rural Hawaii, and this is the only place left that is
rural."
"Keep it characteristically rural and real, where people from the
outside would be more willing to spend time and money.°
"Volcano house is a model of how the hotel should be, small,
quaint, Hawaiian in style."
55 The Ka u Listening Project
Local Housin¢
Many people reacted with alarm to the price information about the
housing component of the Sea Mountain Five proposal by saying, "That's
not housing for people who live here." If a resort development will
increase the cost of living, and the wages are relatively low, then
affordable housing is a necessary requirement for a balanced community,
they reasoned. People emphasized that monthly mortgages and rents for
local people had to be affordable, within a range of $600-$1000/month.
Several thoughtful residents also had the notion that local housing
contributed by Sea Mountain Five should be located in the existing
communities of Na'alehu and Pahala.
"So many can't afford a house. Now what I'd like to say is the
affordable housing SM5 is talking about is too high. None of our
people can afford $350,000. It is too much. If they can build the
affordable homes here in Na'alehu or Pahala, then the people
would still be a part of the community and that is important."
"The real question is, how can there be low cost infrastructure to
keep housing really low?"
"Have the local affordable housing in Pahala or Na alehu so people
can have their culture, separate them from the people with money.
If something doesn't happen it will be a ghost town."
"Affordable housing can be built in Na'alehu or Pahala.°
"The houses are too much money for us."
"There is no housing for us. We are closed out of this."
"Affordable housing of $300,000 is not for Hawaiian families. That
is not affordable, but there should be a way to create affordable
homes and make them available."
"They should do housing for local people. Locate the subdivision
here in Pahala."
"We were looking at housing for $200,000 by working with local
landowners in existing communities. They would give up land to
make this happen." [O Ka a Kakou negotiating effort]
"You can't find housing you can afford. The most I can pay for
housing is $6-800."
56 The Ka u Listening Project
"Development in Punalu~u will not solve the housing problem, if
mortgage rate remains high. Even $1000 monthly mortgages are
not affordable. I like the OHA way [Office of Hawaiian Affairs]-you
don't own the land but you put your own house on it.
"Developers need to provide to the community affordable housing
that is truly affordable."
"New community should blend in with existing community. There
needs to be lots and lots of open space in new developments with
trails and walking and biking paths."
"These homes will be 2aa homes like Discovery Harbor. They will
make no contribution."
"The housing at SM5 starts at $390,000. What local can afford
that? Plantation houses in Pahala are now selling for $200,000.
What local can afford that?"
"If the house is not primary residence, there should be a heavy tax
on it."
"Housing: who is it for? If it's all vacation homes, there won't be a
benefit."
Environmental Quality
"Don't develop, because of the hawksbill. They nest at night. A
couple years ago, two pregnant females at another beach were
killed. They got disoriented by lights at night." [National Park
volunteer]
"This resort could be self sustaining. When I was a girl, I swam
with turtles and boulders. It can still work." [Tutu]
"Where will they put the sewage plant? How will it not affect the
ocean waters?"
"The EIS [draft Environmental Impact Statement] said that
percolation in the ground would be a sufficient means to handle
wastewater pollution. That is not the case. It bothers me when they
say development will have no impact. You have to step back and
say, `What is it like now."' [Marine science professor]
"The environment currently is not too degraded at Punalu~u. The
coastal zone is OK. The pond next to the concession stand is a
57 The Ka u Listening Project
~f lI?
problem. The area is packed with turtles and their health is a good
indicator for health of the environment. Basking turtles were
relatively rare until 25 years ago, and may be linked to the decline
of hunting. It's a great place to study them and to educate about
them." [Marine science professor]
"I am concerned about the water down in Punalu'u. The drinking
water, waste water, bath water. It concerns me that there will be
no safeguards. The coast could be poisoned. The sea life will die.
People can also die. Please express this to the mayor."
"Many species are adapted for dark nights, turtles of course but
also two seabirds that gather offshore at dusk, and fly low to the
uplands at night. They are endangered by an invasive predator.
The birds are distracted by light; the young crash into the light and
into the sea. Dark coasts are good and they are rare."
"Pahoehoe deltas are where coastal vegetation survives the best.
These life forms are at risk from development."
"There should be no fear of environmental damage if SM5
proceeds, since there are federal agencies such as EPA that will
provide safeguards." [Common]
"Two tour buses mean 180 people. You think they don't touch
turtles? With 300 more rooms, you have 900 more visitors. How
can it take it?"
"There are signs on the beach but that is not enough. The resort
will have to have afull-time ranger whose only job is to educate
watch, instruct. Can an education center be part of the resort?"
"Where development is planned, there is an underground bench up
to the coast. It can break off into the sea with any seismic activit}~'
Incrementalize
Many people suggested that Sea Mountain Five phase in their
development over a period of time, to make sure it would work, and to
minimize risk for the developers and for the communities.
"Punalu~u is not pristine. It's developed, so redevelop on a small
scale to start with and let it gradually grow to capacity over 15
years. Then work towards saving the pristine areas like Honu~apo,
Start with affordable housing, small hotel condos."
5g The Ka u Listening Project
~t
"Build only a few houses at first and some condos. Then the hotel.
See how it's gonna go. They have a 15 year plan. Who knows what
the needs are in 15 years?"
"No development. There could be gradual growth, not a boom like
the Kohala coast. How will the amount of people be handled?
"Yes we need some growth, but I don't want it to grow like the
Kohala coast. I want it gradual and small, so the community can
sustain the growth."
"I firmly believe the best development for Punalu~u would be to
grow in small increments. Small lodges, small businesses and
restaurants. Revive the golf course but keep it affordable for local
use. Do not, I repeat, do not encourage "luxury" development.°
"Make it phased, revisit the progress with the community, phase in
review and comment before going on."
Restaurant
Residents were very interested in having a restaurant return to Punalu~u.
Many were uncertain whether the existing site could be renovated or
whether it would require starting over. But so many people had pleasant
memories of family or work times that a return of a restaurant would
have great cultural continuity.
"Yes build a restaurant down there, like it used to be. We all came
there, locals and tourists. It was a good place to come relax. Fix
what is there before building other things."
"I would love to see a restaurant again at Sea Mountain.
Something for the new generation."
Hotels
The hotels received more support from residents than the housing did.
The hotels are associated with employment while the housing numbers
seemed high to most people. People wondered if the number of hotel
rooms (350 is proposed) is feasible and point to low occupancy rates of
other resorts. As a later section will show, people asked the developer to
consider a more rural-oriented hotel, with fewer rooms, more dispersed,
and more oriented to eco-tourism amenities like cultural, historical and
ecological education, outdoor education and so on.
~Spyyp Say3 59 The Ka u Listening Project
a7 ,+'~3
"The hotel would be to left side of the Pro Shop, near the highway
not up to the chapel. The chapel and cemetery would be protected.
The hotel would not hide the ocean or mountain views. I am an
activist when it comes to preservafion. People too must be
protected from those outsiders who might turn this area like Kona
and Honolulu."
"Get a tight hotel like Molokai, small, can fill and staff, keep it
tight, off the ocean with integrated housing [mix of affordable and
market units]."
"350 rooms are insane."
" Three hundred rooms are too much. There are always loopholes
that must be protected against.°
Economic Viability
Many residents discussed the number of empty lots in the area and
asked whether there was sufficient demand to warrant development at
the scale currently proposed. In addition, people asked about hotel
occupancy rates, with many having the general sense that occupancy
rates have been declining in Hawaii. Because of the lack of investment at
Punalu~u over the last several years, residents are concerned that this
development could overbuild and not also succeed, creating significant
impact in the community and the environment.
"Where is the market study?"
"I'm just afraid that the hotel will not be filled. It's too much. Have
they done an analysis?"
"Some resorts don't do well. Would it be successful?"
"Find a way to maintain it even if the development goes down, so
it's not a mess."
"There is no [typical] beach at Punalu'u, no ocean sports. All that
tourists like. So why would a tourist want to stay here?°
"I'm against development unless it is proved it can work."
"It's way too big for the community and for feasibility. Will it be an
economic failure? Abandoned structures? If it is too ambitious, it
wouldn't be a success."
60 The Ka u Listening Project
,a
"A big resort won't be nice enough."
In addition, several thoughtful observers were concerned about the
feasibility of 1000 new house lots in this area. They point to house lots in
Ocean View, Discovery Harbor and other places that have not sold even
after many years.
Density, Setback, and Visual Impact
The uncluttered view plain is one of the most cherished qualities of Ka u.
People want Sea Mountain Five to reduce the visual impact of its design.
In addition, additional setbacks would let residents relax that the
development would not intrude on traditional activities at the beach.
"There could be building mauka of the highway and a moratorium
on all building makai of the highway. With the exception of
grandfathered rights."
"Build 500 meters back. Don't let them build where the old
restaurant is."
"There should beano-build setback of 500 meters for all
development."
"The development is a good idea, it would improve the county, but
there should be 1000' setback."
"Put the restaurant at back of pond; move parking lot shown on
side of pond to the back. If those two things were done, you could
say that whole shoreline was pretty protected.
"If you couldn't see it because it blended in as much as possible,
there were no lights at night, then it could work."
"In the Park Service report that Congressman Case got going, they
said the key to the area is the hillside-avoid homes and lights on
the hillside."
"The proposed ecological hotel in the Black Sand Beach area,
shops, restaurant, and any other proposed structures should be
built behind the pond where the old restaurant and cultural center
were located."
"No housing or structures should be allowed in the shoreline area.
It is especially important that the area near Ninole Pond be
untouched. Any structures should be behind the existing golf/pro
61 The Ka a Listening Project
~e
shop. This might require a change in the zoning."
"My bias is to build off the water, put some of the development
mauka of the highway."
"Say the number of homes was 600, only 125 units would be year
round. There would be little impact if you blended it in to reduce
the visual impact."
"Keep it away from heiau and water. Push it in back."
"There better be no high rise around the chapel, it is so sacred. It
should be more like Kona Village."
"I want to preserve the ocean front, so the development will fit into
the environment and I won't see any building from the sea or land.
The homes could be built into the trees for a canopy."
"The real value here is the space, the undiminished views. It's not
the beaches or the greenery. So consequently there is value for
hidden homes, hidden density, stuff you don't see."
Existing Facility
Many residents had personal history connected with Sea Mountain,
either because they were or are employees, or because of family
occasions held at the site. Most decried the deterioration of the facility
and expressed frustration at the owners for not keeping the place up.
For example, when the golf club house began experiencing sewage
problems, the owners reportedly instructed portable bathrooms to be
installed. When the Liquor Commission told them that portable
bathrooms were not permissible in a liquor establishment, they closed
the shop, put a sign on the building saying "Closed for repairs," and
moved the golf pro shop to the snack shop elsewhere in the complex.
"It's a shame it [the current facility] was neglected so long."
(Widespread)
"The water tank is rusty and leaking. It is only able to be half-
filled because of the large leakage occurring."
"Punalu~u beach needs to be rebuilt. No one is taking care of the
place, its not welcoming."
62 The Ka u Listening Project
"The working conditions are almost intolerable, things are barely
running, broken equipment and everything."
"I'd like to talk with the owners, `Why did you let this place go
down hill?'"
"C. Brewer built the berm in front of the pond. It should be taken
out to let the ocean have an inflow and outflow.°
"Fix Punalu~u. It's an eyesore. Respect the graves and heiau."
"People used to take care of it."
"The concession owners will not put money into it. Like new golf
carts. Golfers are complaining about this. The carts are hard to
start. They moan and complain."
The concession owners don't upgrade the equipment or facilities.
There are problems with sprinklers too often. This business is for
sale, so they don't care. The right company should buy this and
upgrade it, need new turf. I was promised 6 new carts 6 years ago
and every year we still have nothing. I am really stressed out. My
crew is doing the best it can."
Amenities and Services
"We need redevelopment in Punalu~u. We need jobs. It's not just
for tourism. We locals will use it too. We are having a reunion this
weekend and there are not enough places for everyone to stay.
People would stay at the hotel if they could."
"A lifeguard is needed. It is too unsafe. They are always pulling
someone out. It's a very dangerous beach. When water looks calm,
it is the worst. You get past the boat ramp and it will suck you
around the corner and smash you on the rocks."
If the resort goes, the needs of police department will increase.
They will need more staff."
"If the development came we would have to get more police patrols,
our infrastructure would have to get better."
"We play tennis and enjoy the courts. Now of course they are
falling apart and only one court is really functional. We just play
and put up with the other three courts. But wouldn't it be nice to
have some real courts?"
63 The Ka a Listening Project
Commercial Services and Opportunities
"There is nothing at this end of the island that will draw people
and make them stay. If there is a resort, at least there would be a
few stores, shops and that kind to give people a place to visit."
"Would there be opportunities for local businesses on site?"
"How can farmers and growers make it with vegetables and coffee,
market to the development, the hotel and restaurant?
"Would there be places to locate kiosks and small shops at the
Cultural Center for local items?
"If you have a major economic development project, you'll have
over flow of other types of business sprouting up. Crafters can't
buy supplies here. They all have to mail order it or go to Hilo. If the
resort comes, you71 get tourists who want to stay and buy locally-
made products."
"We need more B&B's [Bed and Breakfast establishments] here.
The few we have are nice."
"There should be low interest loans so the business owners could
get on site, maybe fix up these buildings.°
"Agriculture can be supported by development at Punalu~u
through purchase agreements to buy the products."
The Current Status of the Community Benefits
Package
Sea Mountain has agreed with the local community to provide a
Community Benefits Package aimed at addressing many community
concerns and opfimizing benefits to the community. Many of these
provisions were negotiated through the community group, ~O Ka u
Kakou. The process of completing the benefits package was aborted
because of the level of controversy.
"The community never had a chance to debate/discuss the
`nuances' involved in this development."
"We never got to finish the Community Benefits Package. It got so
hot, everybody just backed off."
64 The Ka u Listening Project
~7
Elements of the Community Benefits Package Included
in the Draft EIS
The specific provisions listed below were included by Sea Mountain Five
in its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The "unresolved
issues" listed in the DEIS were: Affordable and Workforce Housing, Police and
Fire, Schools, Medical Services, Electrical Services, and Beach Crowding.
Income Revenue to Community
Sea Mountain Five has proposed the creation of a community fund
managed by a board of respected community members.
During construction, the following funds will be contributed to the
Community Fund:
1. $1,000,000 will be contributed to the Community Fund upon fmal
approval of the Special Management Area (SMA) including any
court actions.
2. $1,000,000 will be contributed prior to obtaining a grading permit
for the start of construction.
3. Sea Mountain will contribute 0.3% of the gross sales price from the
initial sale of each residence or lot sold.
After the initial sales, the Community Fund will receive funding from the
following sources:
1. 1% of the gross sales price of the resale of any house or lot.
2. $3.00 for every night any hotel room is rented.
3. $1.00 for each round of golf played
4. $3.00 per month per unit from every homeowners' association fee
charged.
Over the first 15 years of construction and operations, it is estimated in
the Draft EIS that Sea Mountain will contribute approximately $12
million into the Community Fund.
Economic Opportunities
The development of Sea Mountain will provide short-terms jobs during
the construction of the project as well as permanent jobs that will last
the life of the community. It is estimated to provide 3,800 jobs during
65 The Ka u Listening Project
311
_ kFJte}~
construction as well as 517 permanent jobs in Ka u. In addition, it is
expected to provide 7,200 total jobs through multiplier effects.
The project is expected to create $735 million in economic input and
$342 million in new household income.
The new households and visitors also will provide opportunities for
people to start their own businesses like landscaping firms, property
management companies, maintenance companies, home repair and
remodeling firms to name a few. It will also provide additional buyers for
products from local farmers and fisherman.
Sea Mountain has also agreed to fund a program to provide small
business loans to local people that want to start their own businesses.
Job Training Program
To prepare the local community for these jobs, Sea Mountain Five has
agreed to provide job training programs. These will prepare people for
resort and construction jobs as well as helping the entrepreneurs in the
community to start and operate businesses to serve the existing
community as well as Sea Mountain's population.
Local Hire First Policy
Sea Mountain has agreed to a policy of hiring local people first and will
require businesses such as the hotels to also have a hire local first
policy.
Additional Elements of the Community Benefits
Package under Negotiation after Submission of the
Draft EIS
The following community benefits have been included in the discussions
between Sea Mountain Five and the community organization, O' Ka'u
Kakou (OKK~. These elements were not included in the Sea Mountain
Draft EIS, and there have been no written agreements on these elements
concluded with Sea Mountain Five. OKK and many residents considered
these negotiations to be incomplete as of this writing. The current
perceptions of residents about these elements were told to the field team
and are included here.
66 The Ka u Listening Project
Affordable Housing
Sea Mountain Five agreed to work with OKK, the community at large,
and the County of Hawaii to create affordable housing programs and
financing programs that will foster affordable housing and workforce
housing as required by the county ordinance.
As indicated under Community Issues, a majority of residents reacted to
pricing information about proposed housing with, "Oh, that's not
housing for us," or some similar comment. The recognition was clear that
some of the housing must be for local residents to create a true
community benefit. Moreover, people would often include statements
like, "Don't think that $350,000 is affordable,° alluding to the reported
cost of housing under the affordable program of the County. Part of the
negotiations on housing between OKK and SM5 included the idea that
the number of required workforce housing and affordable housing could
be reduced in exchange for mortgages which are truly affordable for local
residents.
Discussions included the idea that housing for local people could be
located in the existing communities of Na'alehu and Pahala. Many local
residents liked this idea, partly because it would reduce impacts at
Punalu~u and partly because it would offer workers a real community
instead of aresort-oriented, part-time community. On the other hand,
some residents also said the housing should be located at the resort in
order to make it a real community.
Cultural and Educational Center
Discussions were undertaken to build and support a living educational
village setting with replication of Hawaiian Ahupua a lifestyle and diverse
ethnic groups that settled in the Ka u District. Oceanography and other
appropriate educational information relevant to the area would be
included.
Kamehameha Schools (KS), Sea Mountain Five and OKK had meetings to
discuss the opportunities to develop 90 acres of KS land next to the
development site as a site for the cultural and educational center. Talks
centered on protection and respect for important cultural sites, and the
creation of cultural events on the site. Sea Mountain Five had agreed to
consider their provision of needed infrastructure. As the controversy
deepened over the development proposals, these talks did not go forward.
For the negotiators, the resort hotels and the cultural center go hand in
hand, as it is the attraction of the cultural center that would draw the
67 The Ka'u Listening Project
hotel visitors and encourage them to stay longer than they otherwise
would.
Residents are drawn to the notion that development could bring a
learning or cultural center. For them, it would be a way to maintain the
history and culture of Ka'u.
"Build a cultural center where the old building is."
"The Learning Center is a plus. Package it smart to include
National Park Service type jobs, jobs in marine science, etc."
County Park
Sea Mountain Five agreed to donate to the County of Hawaii the land
currently being leased to the county for a park. In addition, Sea
Mountain Five will donate an additional acreage to the county to enlarge
the park. The total amount of land has not been finalized but the last
negotiations called fora 56 acre park. Because of the recognition that the
County would be unable to maintain it, Sea Mountain Five had agreed to
operate and maintain the park.
Golf
Sea Mountain will initiate and support a year round junior golf program
at the golf course. Golf fees for local residence will be offered at a
discounted fee. SM5 also agreed to an environmental standard of golf
course construction using the Audubon Society rating and approval
system to guarantee environmental controls.
Alternative Futures at Punalu'u
Four alternatives were discussed among residents regarding possible
alternative futures for Punalu'u. They are:
1. Federal ownership
2. The Ka u Preservation development alternative
3. A rural, eco-tourism approach
4. A scaled-back version of Sea Mountain Five proposal with
completed Community Benefits Package
Each will be discussed in turn.
6g The Ka'u Listening Project
~1+
1. Federal Ownership
A few people suggested that federal ownership would be the best way to
protect valued shoreline resources and to provide community benefits.
Several people mentioned a "reconnaissance study" performed by the
National Park Service recently. Apparently that study rated the shoreline
and cultural resources of sufficient quality to warrant further study and
a bill has been introduced in Congress to authorize and fund the study.
One of the possible designations is a National Seashore.
"It would probably be better if the federal government acquired the
land, then the regulation on use would be for our benefits, with no
fees, use the area anytime, right?"
"A National Seashore designation would like limit fishing rights. It's
not as good a cultural fit as the Ka'u Preservation proposal.°
"I want it to be a National Seashore. It would offer something
positive, some jobs, and protection. Separate the park to assure
access."
"It's so nice here. People are down to earth. A national park would
be the worst thing that could happen."
"It will get too congested like Kona. I want it to be a national park."
2. The Ka u Preservation Development Alternative
Ka'u Preservation has developed a site plan showing their vision of how
the land could be managed to offer the level of protection it thinks is
important and offering positive benefits for the community. It calls for
acquisition of the shoreline back to 2000 feet. Ideally, the group would
like the whole ahupua a protected through additional land purchases.
The shoreline area would contain camping areas, a living classroom, and
a visitors/cultural center. The group's website had this description:
"To protect Punalu~u forever as an essential gathering place for
local families, a nesting site for the endangered Hawksbill Sea
Turtle, a habitat for the raze and endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal,
the Hawaiian Hoary Bat and other endangered plant and animals.
To create Ka u as a Living Classroom that can become an `Eco-
Campus' for students and educators from around the world. We
believe Ka u can become a model for sustainable Earth friendly
development for the rest of the world. With public input and
69 The Ka u Listening Project
community involvement we can create a vision that comes from
people of Ka u who have protected its resources for nearly two
thousand years."
A flyer from the organization called their vision the Punalu~u Cultural
Preserve which
"will create better jobs through educational careers and a stronger
economy for Ka u and the island of Hawai i by building
partnerships with leading educational institutions around the
world.. The Living Classroom Outdoor Campus will offer `hands on
learning"' ...in a variety of natural sciences and Hawaiian studies.
On June 6, 2007, Ka tit Preservation posted a site plan on their website
that showed the distribution of various facilities on the development site,
including an eco-hotel, numbers of employees and salaries per employee.
Residents said the site plan even had a tram shown at one point. Upon
last review of the website on September 14, this information was
removed.
Clearly, the features of this development vision are changing and it
appears as if there is not yet a real development plan.
If Resolution 169-07 passes, residents were unclear whether the County
would manage the property, Ka'u Preservation, or another community
group. Concern was expressed about the possibility of County or Ka u
Preservation management.
"This is a no-take-care-of County. If the County gets the land and
the park, it will be terrible."
"There is no money to buy the land and no ability to maintain the
new park. You just have to look at the other parks the County
owns. They can't keep toilet paper in the restrooms. Other County
parks are substandard. Punalu'u will be come a dump if the
County buys it."
"The 150 acre park proposal can't work. It's a government taking.
I wouldn't like it if they did that to me. The government is
overreaching."
"If we get a County park then there will be beach access problems,
a gate and certain times you can come and go. We don't want that,
we want it to stay just like it is. Whatever, we must preserve the
beach and turtles."
~ 7p The Ka u Listening Project
"The County can't let [KPI] manage the property. They will not
make it over the long haul. Look at Magic Sands-a small group
took over the management of beach for the county and it fizzled
within 6 months. The toilets were broken, plugged, inoperable,
trash around. [KPI] is not in the business of park management.
[KPI] is in the business of self serving."
"There is growing resistance to the resolution [169-07] because no
one wants [KPI] to run it."
It is a short sighted idea, especially [KPI] proposing its own
management."
"If you give it to them they will destroy it. is mainland
influenced now."
"If the Ka'u Preservation board is so for preservation, let them sign
an agreement that they will never personally receive money as a
result of Resolution 169-07."
"Who's going to maintain the park if [KPI] gets it?"
"We are worried if the County or KPI gets this land they will gate
it."
"The County does not take care of the park. The sand needs to be
pushed back, we can't do it. It's a heavy job. The road is blocked."
" is so vocal and he grandstands the whole thing in public, but
[KPI] doesn't have the money."
3. ARural-Oriented, Eco-Tourism Proposal
Some people criticized Sea Mountain Five for its development proposal by
saying it was not creative enough or in tune enough with the rural Ka u
landscape.
"The SMS plan is following a model."
"SM5 has a traditional approach. They only did a few meetings,
and with key people. They did not sell it."
"It's a proposal driven by lot sales.°
'7~ The Ka u Listening Project
Many people talked about the value of "eco-tourism" as an alternative
way to approach development of the Punalu~u area.
• Birth it freshly
• A Living Village, throwing nets, learning a Hawaiian way of life
• Living with the land, low impacts
• Oriented to the rural character of Ka u, that is smaller and
dispersed
• No golf course
• Dark at night
• Minimize visual impact, blend it in
• Optimize links to agriculture, perhaps agreements to purchase
local agricultural products by resort businesses and creating
value-added agriculture by having retail outlets for agricultural
products
• A rural experience
• Use of environmentally-friendly ("green") building design and
materials. Use of recycling and solar. LEED (Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design) certification.
• Create agricultural hui, with shared spaces, supported by housing.
• At a scale like Volcano, small and rural in flavor
"It will bring new jobs and economic growth that will prosper and
create other jobs. And careers we haven't even thought of."
"Do eco tourism, like Cousteu is already doing. They are very
specialized resorts with low impacts, with hiking trails, cultural
events and education. A resort like that would bring a special
person."
"It would help the resort sell better if alternative forms of energy
were emphasized, if the building materials were green. It would
send a message to other developers. A low rise and dispersed
resort is more profitable. Sea Mountain Five is an old model."
"Build for uniqueness that the different cultures represented in
Ka u. The Filipinos have their beautiful heritage and pride in their
culture."
"The hotel or lodge could be dispersed away from the beach.
Commerce could be created around development.°
"Maybe aneco-hotel, up the mountain but not on the beach. Why
not take state land up the mountain, and build the hotel, a lodge
that would represent the uniqueness of this area?"
'72 The Ka u Listening Project
ie
"Build a lodge like Volcano up Kahuku Mountain. An upscale lodge
would be low impact, away from beach, that costs a lot of money to
stay so only certain tourists can come in."
"Look at the beach. The resort is not the right kind for that beach.
It's not a stereotype Hawaii beach, white sands and huge like
Waikiki. It's small, very special for local people, and not a
swimming beach. This means it should be a rural resort for a
different type of traveler."
"Ka'u would probably best be served by eco-tourism, with
homestays, fazmstays, B&B's [Bed and breakfast establishments],
and nature tours types of businesses that are low impact and
provide a decent income to residents. Large-scale resort
development does not belong there...the beaches are not good for
swimming, there are no restaurants or services, not even a decent
grocery store.°
"Don't `Konafy' Punalu'u. No to all condos. Keep it quaint,
country."
"Bed and breakfasts, like Volcano."
"We should, as a state, mandate buildings to have solar. The Big
Island on the Kona side has so much sun. Why is a developer
allowed to build without putting in solar? Hawau is so faz behind
in recycling. We aze a tiny island and it's a shame that we don't
recycle."
"Consider alternative building designs for Punalu~u - an `eco-
development,' similar to Kona Village near the Kona Airport. I don't
like the concept of `scale-down,' but prefers building from the
bottom up."
"I would like to see some development, but small scale and to
encompass agricultural aspects of the area, with use of what is
grown here."
4. A scaled-back version of Sea Mountain Five
proposal with completed Community Benefits Package
The section above on Community Issues described the range of concerns
that people expressed with the current Sea Mountain Five proposal. The
73 The Ka u Listening Project
fourth and final development alternative discussed by local residents was
a scaled back version of the current proposal.
The scaled-back version included these recommendations and ideas from
citizens:
• A further setback from the shoreline to 1000 to 1500 feet.
• Housing units reduced in number ranging from 400 to 500.
• Current agreements remain in place such as the park proposal,
affordable housing, cultural center, and local hiring policy.
• A completed community-benefits package.
• Retail footage for affordable businesses.
• No gates or exclusivity.
• Insertion of the agreed upon commitments as a "Social Impact
Mitigation" inserted into the final EIS, for inclusion in the Special
Management Area (SMA) permit.
JKA estimates that a complete community benefits package would take
three to six months to complete. Such a process would have to be more
systematic and broad-based in its citizen contact and would truly
represent "community based design." It would be important to structure
the process to create safety for people to participate. Section Six
addresses this topic.
Figure Four is a proposal for awin/win answer to Punalu~u offered by a
local resident.
']q The Ka u Listening Project
fl
Figure Four
A Citizen's Proposal for aWin/Win Solution for Punalu'u
Why can't we have conservation and job creation?
The basic assumption is that compromise is possible-that a plan acceptable to all shades of opinion
can be worked out. In compromising, everyone gets something and gives up something.
PHASE l: AGREE ON CORE COMPONENTS
What can we all agree on before getting into the hard negotiations?
1. There has to be broad agreement that some redevelopment of Punalu'u is acceptable. If
hard-liners in KP prevail, further consideration is pointless.
2. Conservation is a key element: protection of turtles, perhaps with regular volunteer patrols.
3. Conservation of the black sand beach- perhaps a new plan agreed by experts on how best to
reduce the loss of sand.
4. Conservation of historical sites and respect for known burial sites.
5. No charge for admission to the beach.
6. Relatively easy access for local residents driving cars.
7. "Locals first" hiring policy, maybe with ILWU input on priorities.
8. Water quality is a key issue; SM5 firm up on Audubon standards for golf course and high
standards for sewage treatment.
9. SM5 agrees to make fixing up the infrastructure a priority.
10. Boat ramp access maintained.
PHASE II: NEGOTIATIONS
11. County agrees to accept 56 acres or something close as a donation and establishes a new, larger
beach park.
12. SM5 agrees to downsize to perhaps 800-1000 units including hotel(s).
13. County agrees to rezone mauka land to allow fewer units makai of highway.
14. KP gets teaching center with partial funding from SM5.
15. KP agrees to no litigation to delay the resort or line someone's pockets.
16.OKK agrees to share a Hawaiian Culture Center with KP. (restored Aspen?)
17. County agrees to use some of the funds it has saved on a major renovation of the pavilions,
including bigger and better bathroom facilities.
18. County and SM5 agree on a joint maintenance agreement for the shoreline area.
19. Bob Jacobson agrees to withdraw his resolution; the new #1 pavilion is named the Jacobson
Pavilion in recognition of his conservation efforts.
20.Tour buses are allocated parking away from the beach, perhaps restoration of the scenic
walkway by the lagoon.
21. Everyone agrees on a walkway from the black sand beach to Ninole with shelters along the way,
as a means of reducing pressure on the beach.
22.OKK and KP agree on priorities for the Public Benefit package; maybe both nominate members of
a Board of Trustees that selects projects to be funded.
23. SM5, OKK, and KP agree on a management plan for the Cultural/Teaching Center.
75 The Ka'u Listening Project
Section Five:
An Assessment of Conflict
Residents' comments described communities deeply divided over the
future of the Ka uarea--and over the Sea Mountain Five proposal
specifically. This chapter describes three major cultural themes in Ka u
related to this conflict that were in the stories of citizens. It further
describes how the citizens view the role played by Ka u Preservation, Inc.
[KPI] in fostering conflict.
Maior Cultural Themes about Conflict
There are three major themes that emerged from the stories of the people
regarding this conflict. Each one is addressed in turn.
1. "Talk Story until there is a balance."
This theme is the most widespread of the comments received from
residents. Citizens showed that talking story is a part of their cultural
mechanism for getting things done. When an action is contemplated that
involves other people, the respectful thing to do in Ka u is to talk story.
Over time, it begins to be clear the course of action that is appropriate.
That is what residents have asked for related to this conflict-that they
be given a chance to do what they always do-talk story until there is a
balance.
"It's like asee-saw or ateeter-totter. You have to keep talking story
until there is a balance."
"People need to take a look at what is best for the whole
community."
"Balance is possible. It'll require give and take on both sides. `Keep
Ka u Ka'u' also means the people who live here.°
"Preservation is good to a point. I'm concerned about the turtles
and access to the beach. I want development but not too big. I'm
afraid that if they open it for one development, too many more will
come."
"A balance is possible if the beach is protected for quality and
access."
} '7( The Ka u Listening Project
.
"All or none is the wrong frame."
"Change will happen regardless. Make the change how you want it.
That's what we are doing in Ocean View."
Many of the activists do not necessarily represent the silent
majority who want to stay in Ka u and raise their children within
the rural community."
"There are too many rules if you preserve. There are too many
rules if you develop."
2. "Conservation of the Resources and the People"
The second major theme is that people want a balance applied to
development and conservation questions. They want to conserve the
resources but the people too, for the long term health of the whole
system. "Preservation" for many implies locking up a resource. It is a
static term that suggests things will always stay the same, when
everyone knows that things change. "Conservation" means "taking care
of," in this case both the people and the resources.
"I'm for development and for preservation.°
"When you don't develop, you don't protect. This area is not
pristine. It has been developed for a hundred years."
"Ka'u Preservation talks about protecting turtles. Of course, save
the turtles. It is ridiculous that that is their stance. We also need
an economic base for our community." [Kupuna]
"Why preserve if you are not going to take care of it?"
"The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Ka u Preservation-they are
all tree huggers. What about the balance with the needed economic
growth"
"They say, `Save the turtles.' Our ancestors used to eat the turtles.
I don't understand what they are talking about."
"Sure the rocks and turtles will still be here, but where is the
children's laughter?"
"I want the beach and the turtles to be taken care of and jobs for
the people."
77 The Ka a Listening Project
~~rzs i},
"We're trying to do our best to say no, no no, but how do you say
yes to the benefits of the community?"
"I am in favor of growth. Without growth, we'll live in a ghost town
and that doesn't benefit anyone. The Punalu~u development is a
good one. I've followed the SM5's proposal of community benefits
and how they have scaled back and I think they seem like good
people. The development will bring huge benefits to the whole of
Ka'u and if it's done right, the turtles will be saved, the beach will
be preserved, and the people will flourish."
"We need controlled growth that will give us jobs. Make the
development smaller scale."
"Aunty says we need jobs. We can't just look at saving the turtles.
Sure I want the turtles saved too, but theyll be okay. What about
the children and the future of Ka u?"
"Save the people also. Our people end up in California and other
places. We lose some of them to crime and drugs. Some have
disappeazed never to be heazd from. That's very sad.°
"The people who aze for preservation only, with no regard for
economics, are elitists.°
"We have concerns about protecting the beach, the
shoreline azea, Ninole Pond, the sacred Hawaiian sites, burial
grounds, and the endangered species along with everyone else.
However, we believe that the development can occur without
destroying the habitat, significant cultural sites, and the beauty of
the area."
"People say. `Keep Ka u Ka u,' but what about the young families
that can't get jobs? We need an industrial park. No growth will
shut down the schools."
"People have to have a place to go. Someone at one time made
room for us."
"Yes, we need to focus on kids, education and the turtle, but the
land is not pristine.. Work with the mayor hand in hand to get a
balance. People are suffering while we are saving the turtle."
'7$ The Ka u Listening Project
t t}t
With controlled growth, Punalu~u is an appropriate place for there
to be development. I feel you can preserve the area the history and
the culture and still create jobs."
"I don't want any encroachment on the black sands beach area
and sea turtles but I think there could be a compromise
somewhere."
"Are they going to sacrifice people for the turtles? People are dying
on the highways, people have to commute so far and so long, they
are committing suicide. Family life is hard."
"They say preservation but what about the people?"
3. People Don't Want To Take "Sides"
The opposite of talking story is "taking sides." This theme is also
widespread and speaks to the frustration residents shared in the tactics
of Ka u Preservation. The notion of talking story is that discussion of
public issues is the only way to go forward in a way that includes
everybody. By contrast, the "taking sides" approach forces public issues
into awin/lose situation, with insufficient debate to understand the
merits of any one direction. In addition, if one or both of the "sides°
spreads rumors or misinformation, it is even more difficult to know what
is going on, a situation that describes the present time in Ka u Ka u.
"I don't like the dichotomy, not either for or against."
"How come you are talking to pro-development people?" [A
question directed to a JKA team member]
"We knew we needed community support. People have to get to
know you here but with Ka u Preservation being so loud, it was
hard for people to get to know us." [Sea Mountain Five owner]
"Maybe it's time for people to write the Mayor, call him, visit him,
voicing our concerns and what we want. Enough fighting each
other."
"We don't always agree, but we always agree to talk civil to one
another."
"There is no that side and this side, just God's side."
'79 The Ka u Listening Project
;tx.
"I teach the kids to listen to all sides of stories. Kids have been
torn on this issue because other kids have different opinions. One
school teacher was telling students that development is really bad."
"I don't take sides. Each side should step back and figure out if
one or more of the group is stopping dialogue. Both sides have real
concerns. Those that want power while we are losing. Losing is
having to move to California, ride the hele-on bus."
"They do have parts of their argument correct, but are flying high
with intimidation power. They will fall down one day, so who is
hurt? The native Hawaiians will be, not us. We can always move
away. If politics are too hot, Hawaiians still have to stay. Damage is
already done and being close to separating families. That causes
them to choose sides."
"Yes it is a tragedy what is happening in our community. One
group is hard headed. They are concerned about setting a
precedent of larger scale building on coast of hotels and other
tourist type business. Can be like Kona, very cluttered. We for the
most part do not oppose development, but hope any development
will be thought out, using the people's desire.° [3 men after church]
"I am very concerned for the people and the sides they are taking,
dividing the community. It is very tragic when friends and families
are divided. What is worse is that there are some violent people or
person scaring the residents. People tire and strike violently back
and things will explode. I pray to God this will not happen."
"We don't want fight and had friends that now will not even talk to
us. Other families are facing the same. They are trying to
intimidate people."
"If was worth his salt, he should not be taking sides and
backing one faction. He should try to facilitate the balance and a
plan."
"We gotta help each other instead of fighting. Haoles fight each
other and bring that attitude to us. We have to learn to get
together and shut out the trouble makers."
"We are not against or for."
"In the eyes of some, it's about, `I have to be the one that came up
with that.' Some people have to get the credit."
~ gp The Ka u Listening Project
"I was on [KPI] board, I didn't want sides."
"There is a small minority of people here that have shut down so
many good opportunities, the space port, and other things. There
were many lies put out about the space port. There was only going
to be one shuttle per month and would have created many jobs.
The prison would have brought jobs and security hot heads came
and disrupted the meetings. Ka u needs jobs badly."
"I live here because it is country and I like the open space. I want
the land preserved. We also need jobs that are non-polluting,
where developers keep the trees and land intact."
"I was surprised by some of the kupuna making fun of and
putting her down, I have never heard kupuna talk about one
another like that, and I guess I was disappointed in them even
though what they said was true."
"I'd like to see both sides win."
"You have the loud mouthed haoles versus the modest Hawaiians."
"I am after balance. I can see both sides."
"I can see both sides of the issue. I have heard about the tactics of
Ka'u Preservation group and I do not agree with how they do
things."
What People Said About Ka'u Preservation, Inc.
KPI
The organization, Ka u Preservation, came up repeatedly in the stories of
residents. There were two main areas of concern related to this group:
Support for the values and the mission, and frustration with the
methods. Each is addressed in turn.
1. Support for the Values and Mission
Many residents are fearful of resort development, believing that the
impacts cannot be managed and the benefits cannot be guaranteed.
These concerns seem to be amplified by looking at other places on the
Big Island and other parts of Hawaii of development without controls and
the negative effects that resulted.
g~ The Ka u Listening Project
~i~+
Moreover, the value for taking care of the earth, and the sense that
ecosystems are in imminent danger of collapse, lends an urgency to the
debate. Many people feel strongly about this issue.
"We don't want this place destroyed. I will fight to the end to
protect this place, all the sewage dumping into the ocean. The
people get to change the beds. It's not our future.°
"What are owners of the land going to do to support agriculture,
local jobs that are not menial, cultural education?"
"We will create a world class cultural school to educate the
children of the world."
"Development should go in Na alehu and Pahala."
"We need to preserve the entire coast line from any development.
The development will cause impact to the ocean and the fragile
ecosystem there. I have a degree in biology/marine certified, and I
see what can happen and what is happening. The coastline should
be for public use with public access. People want access to the
beaches. I'm not against development in general just development
on the coast, including Punalu~u."
"Some places should be left alone and this is one of them. Anything
can happen as long as it is not at Punalu'u."
"The plan that Ka u Preservation has is a pretty good one. They
have a cultural center planned, along with school, and science
education, but nothing right down on the beach. They have a nice
ecological park with composting toilets planned. They will include
the history of the whole azea with all the cultures. Fishing,
ranching, hunting, sugar cane, Filipino, Japanese, and Hawaiian."
"In Hawaii, passion is respected, even if people get a little out of
line."
"I support preservation and living classroom. is purchasing a
living classroom, bringing kids to study ocean works, beaches, the
outdoors, really sacred. No hotel."
I firmly believe the County of Hawai i should purchase as much
land as is possible in Punalu~u to keep it from resort and urban
development. Give the local community a chance to follow through
on their plans to create an eco-campus, a live learning lab for our
children and grandchildren."
g2 The Ka u Listening Project
"I believe in saving the environment."
"I believe that we must save this incredibly precious resource,
especially for the children of today and tomorrow. As a local-born
islander and now an elementary teacher, I see the invaluable
opportunity that Punalu~u serves as a Hawaiian resource in its
`outdoor classroom' setting.'"
"[KPI] stands its ground, supports rural character."
°I read the EIS [Environmental Impact Statement]. The coast will
be destroyed. I spearfish at Punalu~u. I see tourists touch turtles.
It's too pristine."
"Activists go too far, but somehow they speak to something that
hurts, a loss, fairness."
"It's not fair to us. We're giving up our area and what do we get?"
"I am not with Ka'u Preservation but I am concerned about
preserving Punalu~u. I noticed that it is a `gathering place' for
locals, and that there is no other beach access for them."
2. Frustration with Methods
The concerns of residents with the methods of Ka u Preservation were
widespread and strongly held. This group came up time and time again
in negative ways, related to their style of operating in the community.
The categories of complaint are listed below.
"I don't like the tactics of the Ka a Preservation group nor their
rhetoric. I don't think they have such hot ideas, either. I'm here
because I like the rural life."
"They don't want to talk story."
"They have some good ideas, but their strong exclusionary stand
does more harm than good."
"[KPI] has taken over the preservation talk but that issue does not
belong to them. It belongs to everyone. Other people have gone
underground with this issue."
"You'd think they'd want to talk and share their viewpoint."
g3 The Ka u Listening Project
at~~t
"[KPI] makes us all mad. They refuse to hear my opinion. The only
thing they want to talk about is the party line. They think they
know what is best for me. They are not open to negotiation. It is
their way or the highway.°
"[KPI] is not willing to dialogue. They are unwilling to find middle
ground. We hear so many comments that it will be over 's dead
body."
"I finally learned that if I wasn't going to be with them, they were
going to be against me."
"He needlessly alienates so many people. He attacks them and
demonizes them, for what?"
"I'm tempted to email and tell him to lighten up. Theybe
got to be more open and get some dialogue going."
"They are not willing to negotiate. If you talk up at meetings you
are ridiculed, booed, and looked at strangely.°
"If people want to work in hotels, let them go to where the hotels
are. If you have to drive to Kona to work, you should live there."
[KPI officer]
"That attorney comes in and wants me to be against everything,
but he is so negative. I'm sick of it."
The officers of KPI announced in a letter to the Mayor and in a letter to
the editor stating that they refused to participate in this JKA research
project. KPI officers did not return team phone calls through the course
of this project. Late in the research period, two of the officers agreed to
talk with us, each of them prefacing their remarks with, "We are not
speaking for the organization, just for ourselves.°
"I have no interest in talking about this with you." [KPI officer]
I heard someone called somebody from your group a snake. That's
awful. We all know who. The people from your team handled the
incident good, that was awesome."
"We hear that the mediators were told to stay away from the
festival at Naalehu. Go, it's open to the public."
g¢ The Ka u Listening Project
~~a~
"You are not from here, you don't know the facts. You have messed
it up. The mayor is coming in too late." [KPI board member,
shouting]
"They lie and distort information."
"[KPI] was not involved in the protection of the Honu~apo area,
except that they testified at the end, and then claimed credit for
the accomplishment."
"I know the lies and the truths."
"You are not the majority, where do you get that idea?"
According to several community members, the "South Kona-Ka u Coastal
Task Force" was dominated by members of KPI. At a general meeting,
KPI members were said to have driven out eight other task force
members, including a developer and planner for Sea Mountain Five who
had a right to be present as land owners. Official representatives of the
Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) did not protest the
act of exclusion. Residents complained that there was shouting, stating
that it was impossible to have discussion about options because only KPI
positions were tolerated.
"Some people on the Task Force wanted 1.5 mile setbacks and a
local committee to control. I told them they were nuts if they
thought the government would give locals control like that."
" and [Ka'u Preservation officers] ran the Task Force."
"They manipulated the process. When an important vote came up,
they would change the date to one which detractors could not
attend. A [KPI officer] came in with recommendations developed
outside the Task Force meetings and got them adopted."
"They are a loud and angry group."
"[KPI] is so loud and I don't like their tactics but I do believe in
their mission. I am a KP member."
"They will not budge, not talking things out, only loud bursts. It's a
very angry group.°
"But the biggest strongest toughest wins. So if they shout loud
enough theyll win."
g5 The Ka u Listening Project
g.
"[KPI] people get really loud and raise their voices and get angry
and won't listen to reason."
is so passionate he is right up in your face screaming and
pointing his finger and shaking his fist and shouting. You can't do
that, that scares me."
"People are afraid."
"People are afraid."
"I don't want to make enemies."
"The blood will flow in the streets [if the resolution does not pass]. I
can't wait to see that day."
"People are afraid to speak out. They have been intimidated and
they are timid people to start with."
"I feel so overwhelmed by this that is going on. Don't tell anyone. I
do not want to show fear about this in public. Have fun. You'll find
people who will talk story."
"People are insulting each other, friend against friend. It is a
shame. Cars are being defaced."
"We are appalled at the behavior and bias of the Ka'u Preservation
Group and the manner in which this group has been allowed to
dominate meetings and disrupt proceedings with their loud,
ignorant, obnoxious and sometimes, profane and
frightening ways. Attending meetings when able, we found too
many KPG leaders and followers come from outside the Ka u
District yet are allowed to testify, loud and long, often without any
facts or true figures, or regard for the truth. This is not right or
fair."
"We need some sort of development, I've got lots of friends that said
I'm not going to get up and testify but they want development."
"I was talking to my friends about Sea Mountain when walked
in. My friend tells me, `That is a person.' The room went quiet.
My friends got scared."
"We didn't show up [at the hearings] because we don't want to be
seen testifying. We take a chance to voice our opinion."
g( The Ka u Listening Project
"When people find out that [KPI] is coming to meetings, people
don't come out. No one will stand up to them."
"Blood might be in the streets and it won't be my fault."[KPI board
member]
"I've been here and raised my kids on that beach all my life. Every
weekend we go down there and play and visit with others. Thirty
years now, I watched those coconut trees grow. Today, they're all
grown up. Those people are violent and so the community is
scared."
"Because people are so violent, we don't bring up subjects like the
prison, hotel, or any jobs. We are afraid to speak."
"They single you out. They know you go to the meetings or speak
up then you have to watch out for your children. I can't speak up
because I have to think of my grandchildren."
"They have an outsider agenda."
"I am half Hawaiian. I feel what the people are feeling. I've been
here over 30 years. I know what is going on. The other side will not
give in, it's terrible. All of this started with the haoles. They came a
long time ago and started to impose their ways on the people.
People did not know what to do or how to really resist them."
We are getting tired of this. Haoles are getting native people to
fight/argue with ourselves. What is going on with Black Sand
Beach is an example."
"You know [KPI] is now all outsiders. We look around, that group
isn't even of locals anymore. I'm a local girl, born and raised, I
know.°
They [KPI] are mostly haoles. Some lived here for a short time.
They say they love our ways, then use native people to have people
think it is from the Hawaiians. They love money, use turtles and
the beach to gain power. Yes, development could be good, but let
us have a say, not their say."
"We know about the mediation team visit. It is good that your team
is hired by the mayor. Things are not looking good. The other side
is really throwing obstacles. They are so set on destroying anyone
who opposes them. They use intimidation, a lot of fears. Most are
$'7 The Ka u Listening Project
haoles. A few Hawaiians with them. It's an outsider agenda, not
Hawaiian."
"They want power and control."
"If can't gain from it, she'll make trouble.°
"It will take a settlement for them, as it has in other developments
around the state, before it is put to rest.°
"Access to the beach will be denied, especially to locals, if [KPI] gets
control of the beach. They do not even want to talk to us, anyone."
"The principal got flack from teachers for referring kids to the
Cousteau summer youth program because it was made into a
controversial issue."
"We're against them. They wanna do things for them not all of us.
They have changed their name so many times, you gotta wonder
why?"
"There were other names prior to Ka'u Preservation: Ka u Ohana O
Kalae; Pele defense fund; Punulu~u Preservation; then Ka'u
Preservation.°
"I've been coming here for years with my husband to the beach and
to Pahala. One family try keep everyone off beach, for themselves.
They use violence to get people to do things they want. Used to be
everyone worked together."
"I suspect there is money to be made by KPI. They have received
money from the government before. They can use the land to get
leverage, get more money. They are greedy, they will never budge."
"Ka'u Preservation teaches separatism and racism."
"These guys are too aggressive. There plenty local boys want this
thing [development]."
"We used to be aligned with [KPI]. We realized what they were up to
and disassociated ourselves with them."
"They are not Hawaiian in spirit."
"I am Hawaiian and I don't agree with Ka u Preservation."
The Ka u Listening Project
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"The traditional Hawaiian way is to make things right-Ho o pono
pono. That is not happening."
"They are founded on an old view of how Hawaii was stolen and it
does not serve our future."
"[KPI] professes to have the traditional spirituality and reverence
for the land, water, fish, turtles, all things. Yet they are responsible
for allowing the removal of pohakou (sacred rock) to be removed
and sent to Smithsonian."
"My biggest fear is that land will go to an organizafion that has no
aloha and is closed with no aloha. I may be haole but I have aloha.
I know some Hawaiians that don't have aloha."
Stories of Intimidation in Ka'u
Most disheartening of all the stories from citizens were stories of
intimidation. To intimidate is defined in the dicfionary as "to make timid
or fearful," and "to inspire and affect with fear." There were over 15
stories of physical and mental intimidation and violence that were related
to the field team. These stories have been sent to the proper authorities.
~ g9 The Ka u Listening Project
~T~ii~}~
Section Six
Toward Healthy Community Process
This community assessment has shown that residents in the Ka u area
can, by and large, agree on many challenges facing their communities.
They want:
• Natural resources and shoreline resources conserved for
themselves and future generations.
• To maintain Punalu~u beach as a local beach for future
generations to enjoy with their families.
• More economic activity of a type and size that fits the community,
protects the rural lifestyle, and creates opportunities for young
people to stay in the community and raise their own families if they
so desire.
• Agriculture to be supported and encouraged.
• To address current community concerns of education, drug and
alcohol addiction, job training, and housing.
There is much that the residents do not agree on. Many people simply do
not want resort development in Ka u under any circumstances. While
most people support ascaled-down version of the Sea Mountain Five
proposal, where exactly the balance is between conservation and
development is actively debated.
In the coming weeks and months, it is likely that community discussions
will continue about Ka u's future. The forum for these discussions could
be:
1. Hawaii County may find the means to expedite the Community
Development Plan (CDP), as we recommended in Section 1.
2. Completion of the design of, and the community benefits package
for, the Sea Mountain Five proposal.
3. If Hawaii County Council passes Resolution 169-07, it will then
have to be converted into a Bill or Ordinance form in order that
formal action can be taken to secure the land if Sea Mountain Five
is interested in selling. If that happens the forum could be on the
creation of a community plan for the purchase and management of
anew 150 acre park.
The preferred choice would be to complete the Ka u CDP. This would
allow the Ka u communities to avoid its current situation of reacting to
each development proposal. Instead it would allow the community to set
the "standards of development" for all to know-citizens, proponents, and
90 The Ka u Listening Project
~~:~s'ea 417
government. Moreover, CDPs allow each District to create a plan that
reflects the social and geographic uniqueness of each community. Such a
proactive, geographically-sensitive plan can provide all parties interested
in living, working, recreating and investing in Ka u-a greater sense of
predictability and reliability that would foster better policy choices in the
long run.
"There should be guidelines for building."
"Let the developers know what we want. We often say what we
don't want, but it's time to tell them what we do want."
"We need balance. We need to unite all of Ka'u. We need a long
term plan that dictates where we want to develop and where we
want parks etc. The people need to participate in shaping and
controlling growth and development. Need more of the Costeau
programs and get kids interested in this kind of stuff. We need a
vision for the future. Someone could water color paintings of how it
could be; what it could look like. The Mayor needs to hear ideas
about a long term plan before special interests or developers take
charge."
"Controlled, planned and well-funded development is best for the
economic future of Ka'u."
As community discussions continue, whatever their forum, it will be
important to create a process that builds safety and confidence on the
part of citizenry to participate in their future. A number of reasons have
been discussed that makes sustained participation by residents difficult:
• Many residents do not have a "culture of involvement" in civic
affairs-they just do not go to meetings. Many local people
commented that, "People will not go to meetings. You have to go
into their homes."
• Many Ka u residents are working people whose schedules preclude
regular attendance at public meetings. This is especially true in
recent years as people take more than one job to survive and the
commuting lifestyle has become more common.
• The polarized nature of community discussion in the last several
months has led to a lessening of communication among people of
differing views, making it easier to project negative characteristics
onto the "other" group.
9~ The Ka u Listening Project
4~*
The tactics of shouting, threats, and intimidation have led many
people to avoid public settings. With the moderate ground harder
to find, more extreme rhetoric has become the norm.
"Meetings don't work, people commute and they're tired."
"There is no time for meetings. All that fighting, people don't go to
meetings."
"Churches are good. In Na'alehu, go to the parish hall. Sundays
are best after church."
"People are working and they can't come to the meetings. The
people against can come to meetings."
Figure Five below shows a process that emerged from the stories of
residents which offers a way forward to healthier community
communication and decision-making. It shows that one-on-one talk story
is a productive beginning-that people love to talk in settings that are
comfortable and natural for them, they are active observers of their
community, and they have a sense of the future born of their experience
of living in Ka'u.
1. One-on-One. The Discovery Process at the individual level
reveals patterns in citizen issues (as exemplified by this
report) that can be used to build future communication and
dialogue.
2. Chat Sessions. As the patterns emerge, the second phase,
that of family and small group chat sessions, can begin.
Discussions and differences of opinions at this stage are
comfortable, and an initial round of agreements is possible
at this stage.
3. Neighborhoods. After chat session are concluded, the
process will take place in neighborhoods-in homes, cafes,
churches, schools, or other acceptable locations. In
neighborhood sessions, residents can present their initial
findings or work that describes their key issues and the
opportunities residents see to address them. Neighborhood
sessions, by bringing in more diverse informal networks that
have already participated in chat sessions, can begin the
more arduous task of making choices between options.
92 The Ka u Listening Project
53
Figure Five
Building Participation and Confidence in Public Policy
Discovery Process:
one-on-one talkstory
Family and Small
Group Chat Sessions
Neighborhood
Sessions
Inclusiveness
_ Regional Meeting _ _
-
Vision!!
Focus
Neighborhood
Sessions
Family and Small
Group Chat Session
Discovery Process:
one-on-one talkstory
At this level, people begin to think "outside the box," as their
perspective widens from focus on a single issue, which may
have compelled them to get involved in the first place, to a
broader focus on the whole of the community. The natural
leaders are obvious by this point as well.
By this point, there are large areas of agreement in which
people have a common understanding of the issues at hand,
and the policy choices which would address them.
4. District-Wide Meetings. The process culminates in one or
two district-wide meetings. The areas of disagreement, with
the attendant action alternatives for consideration by the
community, are presented as well. Then, a means is created
by which individuals indicate their preferences. The "means"
could possibly be electronic privacy voting pads, which
anonymously record the votes of citizens.
93 The Ka u Listening Project
i*~Il
This process, The Discovery Process, of drawing ever-larger circles is one
that creates inclusiveness and focus over time. It draws in greater and
greater numbers of people at the same time it focuses ever more intently
on the choices before the community.
It must be stressed that this process is designed to create safety for
participants so that final choices represent the best possible course of
action for the greatest number of people. From the chat sessions, to the
neighborhood sessions, and particularly at the regional meetings,
facilitators must protect against the domination by the few. Facilitators
can be trained about how to respectfully listen and take input from all
and not allow any one individual to monopolize the group or pressure its
members to act in a certain way.
In this way, the democratic process is strengthened.
94 The Ka u Listening Project
?~l>