HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0186.037 2020-2022 From: Simmy
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 6:13 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Fwd: RES.80-21 Keakealaniwahine of Holualoa/ Banyans Surf Spot
Attachments: PONC Simmy Hilo testimony.docx; Banyans Keakealaniwahine for PONC Sub # 20-010.docx;
Banyans Skull found.jpg; Banyans Poster March 2019jpg; Banyans Surf.jpg; Banyans Aerial
shot for Ponc.jpg;Attorney Sherry Broder for PONC at the County.jpg; Banyans Mayor
Kenoi, Jr. Kanuha, Simmy,CJ,J Fear jpg; Banyans Mele's testimony 2019.jpg; Banyans Mia's
testimony 2019 jpg; Pacific Vibrations Surf 3 Generation of Wahine Surfersjpg
COUNTY CLERIC
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEINED`e
Time 6:15 0..M. By
Date APR 2 0 2021
https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2020/03/10/video-mcmichaels-testify-to-preserve-kona-coast/
Landowner agrees to cancel plans for condominium near Banyans surf spot I West Hawaii TodayLandowner agrees to
cancel plans for condominium near Banyans surf spot I West Hawaii Today Commission grants petitions for contested
case hearings over proposed Banyans condo I West Hawaii Today
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 X'S 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.
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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 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 SITE 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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