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Attachment E - PONC 2025 - Kumukahi 4. Describe the level of urgency. The need for immediate action is critical due to the ongoing and escalating threats to Kumukahi's cultural, environmental, and public safety integrity. For decades, reports of vandalism and burial desecration have persisted, with incidents increasing in the 1990s due to uncontrolled access and lack of proper stewardship. The theft and disturbance of iwi kupuna, coupled with the failure of responsible agencies to manage the area effectively, have compounded these issues. Despite formal complaints and the adoption of a burial treatment plan in 2023, its implementation is contingent upon the reopening of Lighthouse Road - leaving many significant sites unprotected in the meantime. The urgency is further underscored by the following factors: • Increased Access & Public Impact: The 2018 Kilauea eruption created a new black sand beach, drawing significant attention from residents and visitors alike. Without safeguards in place, increased foot and vehicle traffic will amplify the risk of disturbance to burial sites, wahi pana, and sensitive ecosystems. • Environmental Vulnerabilities: The area serves as a habitat for endangered species such as the green sea turtle and native Hilo Ischaemum grass, both at risk from unmanaged visitor activity. • Public Safety Concerns: The existing conditions - including potentially dangerous ocean currents, rough lava terrain, an abandoned lighthouse, and lack of proper signage - pose serious hazards to visitors unfamiliar with the area's risks. • Modern Technology &Visitor Surge: The rapid dissemination of location data through social media and mapping applications is accelerating visitor interest and access to the area, compounding the need for proactive management. Given these pressing concerns, immediate action is necessary to consolidate land ownership, implement a comprehensive preservation and management plan, and prevent irreversible damage to Kumukahi's cultural, environmental, and public assets. Delays will only increase the likelihood of continued desecration, safety hazards, and loss of irreplaceable heritage.