2006-10-09 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (Hilo Mtg)

Home

ELFIE WILKINS Ms. Wilkins came to speak on Kathleen Paunani Aina land on Kalaniana` ole street. TMK No.: 2- 1- 16 -2 -6. Ms. Wilkins stated it's on the Hilo side of the James Kealoha park. Ms. Wilkins stated they tried to get the parcel four or five years ago; they spoke with Aaron Chong. Ms. Wilkins stated because it's a parcel of private land the police can't stop the young kids from going in and drinking and abusing drugs. Ms. Wilkins stated she wanted to make sure the Commission had her survey form and the map that went along with it. IRENE KUBICA Ms. Kubica came to speak about Communication No. 06 -10- (Honolulu Landing). Ms. Kubica stated she only heard about submitting a proposal to the Commission in late August. Ms. Kubica stated in her talking to people interested in preserving Honolulu Landing, they were outraged that an acre of land was destroyed. Ms. Kubica stated there are people who are of native Hawaiian ancestry in the local area that want this area preserved because of burials and cultural sites there. There is also a great number of people who moved to Hawaii who love the `aina and feel this particular area of the island should be in the public domain and not left in private hands. Ms. Kubica stated Hawaiian Shores Recreational Park itself is very interested in Honolulu Landing and preserving it as it is or some other form. It's on the boundary line with Hawaiian Shores Recreational Park. Ms. Kubica stated she talked to a third party between herself and Dr. Habashi. Dr. Habashi and his daughter both live in North Carolina that holds this land. They have tried to sell this land several times with buyers jumping at the chance to develop because it's over 300 acres but found that they could not develop it due to lack of infrastructure. Dr. Habashi is very approachable and he's in contact with another person in Hawaiian Shores Recreation subdivision who has a good repertoire with him; trying to make Dr. Habashi, as a land owner, responsible for the trash being dumped there and responsible for the ATV's and motorcycles that go on the sand hill by closing off roadways. Ms. Kubica stated his land adjoins the DLNR land which is supposed to be a part of Nanawale Park; which has never been developed. Ms. Kubica stated Lot 19 is makai of the government beach road and Lot 20 is mauka of the government beach road. Ms. Kubica stated so much of Honolulu Landing has been washed away that is was quite possible the roadway being used by the public and maintained by the County could be on Lot 19 and 20. Ms. Kubica stated there are thirty acres of the makai portion lot 19 that Dr. Habashi might be willing to sell these lands if the County made an offer. Ms. Kubica stated the mauka portion has 300 acres which is all forest and has a large cultural site and burial sites on it. Ms. Kubica stated there is a lot of vegetation along with hills and all kinds of rock formations. Ms. Kubica stated Mr. Kepeepee, the person who runs the cultural school near the County Park, has said that no archaeological assessment of the entire Puna coast has ever been done. Ms. Kubica stated that Mr. Kepeepee feels that if they did assess the 5 settlements along the Puna coast, the State of Hawaii would find 5