Communication No. 2021-06- Simmy McMichael Public Testimony

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Introduction Royal Footsteps Along tete Kona Coast To me (Kailua) is the most interesting town on the islands, brimful of history as it is. Further down the Kona coast is Keauhou, where there are enough grass houses to fill the eye for once, and where the coco palms are tall and old and beautiful. Mabel Clare Craft Deering, Hawaii Nei, 1898 A fun and funky seaside village, Kailua-Kona has the souvenir shops and open-air restaurants you'd expect in a major tourist hub, with the added bonus of a surprising number of historic sites. Except for the rare deluge, the sun shines year-round. Mornings offer cooler weather, smaller crowds, and more birds singing in the banyan trees, you'll see dozens of tourists and locals out running on Ali'i Drive, the town's main drag, by about 5 AM every day. Afternoons sometimes bring clouds and drizzly rain, but evenings are great for cool drinks, brilliant sunsets, and lazy hours spent gazing out over the ocean. Though there are better beaches north of the town on the Kohala Coast, Kailua-Kona is home to a few gems, including a fantastic snorkeling beach (Kahalu'u) and a tranquil bay perfect for kids (Kamakahonu Beach, in front of the King Kamehameha Hotel). fodors.com, 2011 Mission: Honor the Ali'i Through experience and understanding, and, ultimately, greater appreciation and respect for Hawai'i's past and sense of place in the world, we honor the Alii. Vision: Ali'i Drive "Royal Footsteps Along the Kona Coast" is preserved and promoted in a manner that protects its intrinsic qualities and enhances residents' and visitors' understanding and appreciation of the archaeological, historic, cultural, natural, recreational and scenic resources of the corridor. The roadway serves as a vital seaside link between the communities along the route and provides a connection to the diverse resources in North Kona. This Royal Footsteps Along the Kona Coast Corridor Management Plan (CMP) has been developed through an inclusive, broad-based collaboration between the Community, the Sponsor and Governmental Agencies to protect, preserve, restore, promote and share the extensive and extraordinary intrinsic qualities along the length of AIN Drive. It is a guide to call attention to and protect the area's significant archaeological, historic, cultural, natural, scenic and recreational resources. An Introduction to the Scenic Byway and its Intrinsic Qualities Royal Footsteps Along the Kona Coast covers the entire length of Ali'i Drive, seven miles of roadway and over seven centuries of Hawaiian Royalty archaeological, historic and cultural traditions that have shaped Hawai'i into what it is today. The point-to-point Alii Drive byway corridor includes all lands along the makai (ocean) side of Alii Drive from the roadway to the shoreline and a 500' inland band parallel to the roadway along the mauka (mountain) side of Alii Drive (and all of Lekeleke Burial Grounds and Holualoa Royal Center). Royal Footsteps Along the Kona Coast Introduction Corridor Management Plan Chapter 1; Page 1