Haina Landing Access Tawn Keeney COR-16-104244

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The purpose of this paper is to introduce a proposal to create a County Historic Park at Haina Landing. The following are a set of presumptions and observations which serve to illuminate the desirability of such a project. *E " .11 111 « " It is in the public interest and is universally acknowledged to place public parks in the most beautiful and most historically significant places. Haina Landing qualifies in both categories. It is, arguably of course, one of the most beautiful points on the Hamakua coastline. It has undeniable historic significance being one of the focal points of the Hamakua sugar industry, the point of embarkation. There are impressive architectural remnants present which distinguishes it from the many other points of great beauty along the coast. The residents of Haina had used it in the past, perhaps when there was easier access, as a leisure place. Now, residents of Haina will only occasionally be found at the Landing due to deteriorated access. There is no practical access to the coastline for Hamakua residents from Laupahoehoe to Waipio. It is customary that residents of towns and villages in Hawaii have public access to the beaches and coastline at an easily accessible point from their community. The rights of ownership of land should be subservient, or at least symbiotic with the communities which they encompass. Parts of the coastline below Honokaa have been and are currently being sold for private residences. Currently three of these coastal properties are for sale for residential improvement and four others have been sold, three of which have homes. There should be a public park designated here, prior to the land being all gone, with the obvious and most desirable location being Haina Landing. THE HAINA LANDING IS CURRENTLY VIRTUALLY UNUSED In the 15 to 20 times I have been there in the past 2 years only occasionally has there been anyone else there, a kayaker launching his kayak, a minstrel playing his guitar, a family on one occasion, an occasional person just enjoying the natural beauty. In spite of anchor stands for pole fishing from the cliffs I have not seen active fishing taking place. By my experience, the road has worsened in the past year. Of those persons who are familiar with Haina Landing, almost all say that it has been many years since they have been there, and no one they know goes there any more. Those who have been there more recently say that the access road down into the Nienle gulch is much deteriorated. I have a'rock climber' 4 -wheel drive but, though I am a timid driver, I find it unnerving to go to the landing with the present condition of the road. CURRENT OWNERSHIP OF HAINA LANDING IS BY HAMAKUA ENERGY PARTNERS PARENT COMPANY AND BY KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS Haina Landing encompasses the coastal entry of the Nienie gulch. There is a small boulder beach here. The cliff face of the Hilo side of the gulch is the 'Old Landing' with older