Testimony - Kau Forest Reserve public access Naalehu Hill Consolidation and Resubdivision

Home

NA ALA HELE awai°i Trail & Access System August 5, 2025 To: Mr.Jeffrey Darrow, Director c/o Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street,Suite 3 Hilo, HI 96720 From: Terrence Noda,Chair Hawai'i Island Na Ala Hele Advisory Council c/o Division of Forestry and Wildlife 19 E. Kawili Street Hilo, HI 96720 Re.: Ka'u Forest Reserve public access, Na'alehu Hill Consolidation and Resubdivision, Application No. PL-SUB-2024-000279,TMK:9-5-008:001 Aloha Director Darrow, Please consider the following recommendation related to public access and PL-SUB-2024-000279,TMK: 9-5-008:001. Recol"Tamaw'ndat ion The Hawai'i Island Na Ala Hele Advisory Council (AC) recommends the Planning Department take appropriate action to establish a public vehicular and pedestrian access easement to the Ka'6 Forest Reserve through the mauka areas of the ahupua'a of Kaunamano, Kahilipali II,and Wai'6hinu. The recommended alignment is an existing unpaved road that traverses the mauka portion of TMK 9-5- 008:001,as indicated in the satellite view map contained within this letter. The Advisory Council's review On December 11, 2024,the Ka'u Community Development Plan Action Committee held a meeting and took public testimony on PL-SUB-2024-000279, Na'alehu Hill subdivision, Phase 1. The Ka'u Calendar published an article the next day about the proposed Consolidation & Resubdivision (C&R)and various concerns expressed by the public. Members of the Hawaii Island Na Ala Hele Advisory Council (AC)were subsequently contacted by individuals concerned that the public access crossing the mauka portion of the TMK and accessing the Ka'u Forest Reserve may be endangered. As a result,the AC placed the proposed C&R on the agenda for its June 18, 2025 meeting for discussion and decision-making. The AC determined that the public was in fact using this access route and failure Division of Forestry and wildlife Phone:808-974-4221 19 E.Kawili Street,Hilo,HI 96720 Department of Land and Natural Resources Fax: 808-974-4226 Email:jackson.m.bauer@hawaii.gov