2013-05-13 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

Home

GORDON LESLIE Mr. Gordon Leslie spoke as a representative of the Henry Leslie Sr. Estate and Malama Pono Kealakekua Bay Community Association. He wants to let them know that Ms. Kelly Edwards is his partner for the last eight years and Parcel 28 is not for sale and will never be for sale. For Parcel 27, KS and the Leslie family has multiple claim interests in the property however in the 19his family lost 3,000 acres of land from this area up to the mountain to Bishop Estate by adverse possession and only lost it by default since they did not challenge it. However; when he filed a complaint on the use of this land with the Planning Department (PD), he found out that this land was not part of the quiet ore his family still had claim to it. He highly doubts that KS and the Leslie family would let this property be sold for 1.4 million so when the details come to that they would have to determine the value of the parcel. However he does agree with Mr. Prattas that the land would be in the best interest of the public if the County or State acquires ownership. The HF has many violations with the PD and still went ahead and developed the land. Their whole use is in violation of both County and State laws. After the tsunami, there was no sand left on the beach and the HF brought in tons of golf course sand from China which dumped into Kealakekua Bay, double class A waters, thereby creating an OCCL violation. Historically the significance of the inlet was very important to the Hawaiian people. This area was used as a warrior elite spear-throwing boot camp for Chiefess Kapiolani also designated this inlet Kapahukapu (the sacred box) which was chosen for the women in the village. In December 2012, his grandchildren went to the beach for a morning swim with the dogs and were kicked out by security of the HF. When he contested it a TRO was put on him and he feels that this is a good reason for the County to take over to ensure that public access continues. Mr. Hirakami asked what happens when the County takes it over and another big wave comes and washes out all the sand. Mr. Leslie replied it is what it is. The sand makes it comfortable for the people that use the beach and his biggest problem is how the HF controls access to the beach. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Nicholson asked if there is any discussion regarding the minutes. Ms. Byrne Baber noted that on Page 4 under the Department of Finance Report, last sentence of the first paragraph, for Kaiholena be change Motion: Vice-Chair Hirakami moved to approve the minutes as amended of March 11, 2013. Seconded by Commissioner Byrne Baber; all members voted aye, motion carried. Recess: 11:08 a.m. Reconvened: 11:15 a.m. - 3 -