2026-05-11 - Minutes DRAFT - Laserfiche WebLink

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b. Sugg. 26-02, Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch Beach & Estuary, North Hilo, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 3-6-005:0014-0002, 015, 3-9-001:017 Phaethon Keeney – Nominator, testified in support of Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch Anna Marie Mackey – Development Director with Laupahoephoe Community Public Charter School, testified in support of Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch Cmr. Lawson reported there was a good showing of community support when they arrived and it’s not surprising that there would be an offer on this property already as it is stunning. Cmr. Lawson continues to say that there are three separate parcels, the main Gulch and house are the bulk of the property where the community is most interested in working on. Cmr. Lawson further states that there are layers of history that has left its mark on the property and, as mentioned in the report, there is a lot to clean up, but the property has a lot of potential for restoration and agriculture. Cmr Lawson also informed the commission that the adjacent side of the Gulch is owned by the state so there would be an opportunity to connect both sides and preserve the entire Gulch in perpetuity. V. Chr. Britt asked if this is a fee simple purchase. Chr. Chang replied in the affirmative and also wanted to note that the site visit report incorrectly states that there is public ocean access through the aqueduct. Chr. Chang further stated that per the Real Property Tax site, it looks as though there is an unpermitted structure. Cmr. Lawson responded that there is a permit for a structure but not for the structure that is there which is potentially problematic. Chr. Chang also wanted to ask the suggesters if there were any maps available from 1892 or prior that show the presence of an Ala Loa trail as the information they’ve received is saying there is an Ala Loa there. Lastly, Chr. Chang mentioned that in our last meeting, one of the suggesters wanted to find out what had happened to the past nomination for Kaʻawaliʻi. Chr. Chang sugguests it would be helpful to ﬁnd out what happened in that past attempt. c. Sugg. 26-03, Haina Makai, Hāmākua, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 4-5-002:081 Randy Rickard – Decendant of previous Landowner, William H. Rickard, testified in support of Haina Makai Tawn Keeney – Nomitor, testified in support of Haina Makai Phaethon Keeney – Testified in support of Haina Makai Chr. Chang gave a brief recap of those present and wanted to emphasize that this property is a rare opportunity to secure Mauka-Makai public access and further explains DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of May 11, 2026 Page 6