HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0186.008 2020-2022 From: Sylvia Dolena
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2021 9:19 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: RES.80-21 Keakealaniwahine of Holualoa/ Banyans Surf Spot
Attachments: Banyans Skull foundjpeg; Banyans Poster March 2019jpeg; Banyans Surfjpeg; Banyans
Aerial shot for Ponc.jpeg; Attorney Sherry Broder for PONC at the County.jpeg; Banyans
Mayor Kenoi, Jr. Kanuha, Simmy,CJ, J Fear.jpeg; Banyans Mele's testimony 2019jpeg;
Banyans Mia's testimony 2019jpeg; Pacific Vibrations Surf 3 Generation of Wahine
Surfers jpeg; PONC Simmy Hilo testimony.docx; Banyans Keakealaniwahine for PONC Sub #
20-010.docx
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
Aloha, RECEIVED ...,/
I support the PONC purchase of Banyans Beach/Surfing Area described below. Time �:t 1 p" By ( )
Mahalo, Date APR 1 9 2021
Sylvia Dolena
VP, Aloha Lokahi Association
Hawaiian Culture non-profit bringing Aloha to the Planet
Aloha County Council Commissioners,
Please vote in favor for this Special Land to be saved for the NOW and FUTURE generation, OF
SURFERS!! (RES/80-21).
Banyans is of Chiefess Keakealaniwahine, who was the Queen of Hawaii, who lived and SURFED AT
THIS SURF SPOT. THIS IS OF HOLUALOA BAY AND KING KAMEHAMEHA I LEARNED TO
SURF HERE.
This is the last piece of property left at Banyans undeveloped.
Via a Contested Case Mediation to stop a 5 story condo, 20 feet from the shoreline, of an expired
permit, it was Attorney Sherry Broder who suggested "WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO MAKE IT A
PARK"!
Planning Director Michael Yee, Condo planner Bill McCowatt agreed, Keawe Alapai and myself of
West Hawaii Surfing Association was SO HAPPY and AGREED!
I then submitted my first submission to PONC, and I hope you will now purchase this land.
Here is a bit of personal History of this Surf Spot we call Banyans:
In the 1980's I held SURF CONTESTS at this beach for 10 Years! This was the first time Big Island
was represented at the Hawaii Surfing Association for State of Hawaii. I was able to take the very best
Surfers to compete at the State Championship on Oahu. We made a huge impact, my Grom Surfers are
now "Professional Surfers" They are known around the World, Shane Dorian, Mike Stewart 9 XS
World Champion, and Conan Hayes.I had brought over Professional Surfers such as Ben Aipa, Hans
Hedeman, Larry Bertleman, Loui Ferreira, Jeanie Chesser, and more. I retired after 10 years.
Hawaii Surfing Association contests continues each year to hold events here at Banyans! Competing
surfers from Outer Island now come to Banyans for this contest. I'm happy the Big Island is
represented with the State as well as in the National level. This year! SURFING WILL BE ADDED
TO THE OLYMPICS!!
Also, Shane Dorian (who was my team rider when he was only 10 years old, 1980's qualified for the
"World Championship" event in England. We held car washes, sold sweet bread, cotton candy, etc.., he
was able to travel with his mother Susie Dorian.) This was exciting for Kona to be represented and hit 's (ta %
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the front page news! Now, his son Jackson is carrying on with huge sponsors, gracing covers of
magazines,... the world is watching!
Shane has annual contests called "BANYANS KEIKI SURF CLASSIC" He brings to the contest
every year with the help of Daniel Sayre foundation, Professional Surfers, one in particular," Kelly
Slater who is 11 x's World Champion". The Keiki's are Stoked, and look forward to this event.
Sponsors giveaway huge bags of goodies, and numerous New Surfboards, also airline tickets to
compete at National Contests.
Highligted each year at the end of the event, a Special Award is annonced of the Outstanding "Surfer
of the Year". He or she does not have to be the best surfer, but, all around Outstanding Person.
This Surfer gets to order a custom surfboard by JC. via the Sayre's. We all meet, at my Surf Shop
"PACIFIC VIBRATIONS, since 1978" Here this Surfer is presented the Custom Surfboard, gets to
select a board bag, fins, leash, and surf pad!! This award no doubt gives this Surfer so much self
esteem! Many are now Professional Sponsored Surfers and grace the covers of magazines. The wahine
surfers went on to hold surf camps, and one is now an airline pilot. We are so Proud of these
SURFERS, and this has been a tradition for a DECADE!. The KEIKI'S OF THIS CONTEST DREAM
OF BEING THE SURFER OF THE YEAR!
PLEASE KOKUA AND HELP SAVE OUR SURF WITH THIS PONC PURCHASE! HERE ARE
SOME REASONS:
1. BANYANS SURF SPOT IS NUMBER ONE, ON THE ENTIRE ISLAND. NOT ONLY FOR
BEST SURF, BUT CONTESTS FOR OUR KEIKI'S!
NOT ONLY NOW BUT TO CARRY ON OF THE FUTURE GENERATION. AS OF NOW,
PERMISSION HAS TO BE GRANTED BY THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS.
2. PONC PURCHASE WOULD PRESERVE OUR SHORELINE ACCESS IN PERPETUITY! (
TOO MANY PRIVATELY OWNED BUILDING SEAWALLS, WHO RESTRICT SURFERS
ACCESS. BUILDING FENCES, WALLS, AND HIRING SECURITY TO BOOT OFF THE
GRASSY AREAS!
3. PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES WILL BE PROTECTED IN
PRESERVATION!
4. SMALL PUBLIC PARK SETTING FOR EVERYONE, KUPUNA'S, KEIKI'S, LOCALS, AND
TOURIST, CAN ENJOY A HISTORIC SI1'h OF CHIEFESS KEAKEALANIWAHINE!
5. TRADITION OF HOLUALOA BAY, CHIEFESS KEOLANAHIHI, AND
KEAKEALANIWAHINE HELD SURF CONTESTS IN THE 1700'S AT THIS BAY! HAWAIIAN
TRADITION TO BE PRESERVED!
I wanted to mention my moopuna's Melekailani, and Mia who testified at the Leeward Planning
Meeting to stop the 5 story condo's. They both wrote their own testimony and spoke so well at the
Leeward Commisioners Hearing. They understand how building on the ocean front only damage our
shoreline, harding the reef, and ruin our Surf. They drew pictures for the Commissioners, (I have
attached their drawings)
I hope all of you will vote in favor, to SAVE our SURF SPOTS FOR THE NOW AND FUTURE
GENERATION.
THIS WILL ENABLE KONA OF ALII DRIVE, TO CARRY ON TRADITION, " WAHI PANA", "
HAWAIIAN CHIEFS AND CHIEFESS WHO LOVED TO SURF AND HOLD CONTESTS".
MAHALO!
Simmy McMichael
President of West Hawaii Surfing Association
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