Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br />William P. Kenoi BJ Leithead Todd <br /> <br />Director <br />Mayor <br /> <br />Margaret Masunaga <br />Deputy Director <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />County of Hawai‘i <br /> <br />PLANNING DEPARTMENT <br />PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE <br /> <br />Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 <br /> <br />Phone (808) 961-8288 Fax (808) 961-8742 <br /> <br />January 8, 20123 <br /> <br />Senator Russell E. Ruderman <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 217 <br />Representative Faye P. Hanohano <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 303 <br />415 South Beretania St. <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> <br />Aloha Senator Ruderman and Representative Hanohano, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />The Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee (PCDP AC) respectfully requests funding <br />for a study to determine the feasibility of creating a safe and legal swimming area at Isaac Hale Beach <br />Park. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks and Recreation has expressed support for this <br />project, but has indicated that they would need to work in partnership with the State and DNLR, <br />including a need for state funding in order for the study to move forward within the next year. <br /> <br />As currently envisioned, the potential swimming area might be developed by creating a man-made <br />lagoon on land (TMK (3) 1-4-002:008) that is currently owned by the county and within the State Land <br />Use Conservation district. Please see attached map for the potential location. <br /> <br />We estimate that not more than $100,000 will be necessary for the County of Hawaiʻi Department of <br />Parks and Recreation to hire a consultant to: <br /> <br /> <br />Determine the feasibility of creating a safe shoreline swimming area within Isaac Hale Beach <br />Park; <br /> <br /> <br />Develop a conceptual plan; <br /> <br /> <br />Map out the necessary permitting process; and <br /> <br /> <br />Develop a preliminary budget. <br />If the development of a swimming area is deemed feasible we do anticipate the need for additional <br />state funding for its design and construction. <br /> <br />Widespread community support for the development of a safe swimming/ocean access area in the <br />Pohoiki area is evidenced by the hundreds of residents, including swimmers, surfers, fishermen and <br />local landowners, who have signed a petition in support of this idea, as well as the efforts of the <br />Friends of Pohoiki, a community group spearheaded by Luana Jones. <br /> <br />Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer <br /> <br /> <br />