HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0186.062 2020-2022 From: lokemcmichael
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2021 9:00 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Res 80-21: KEAKEALANI AT BANYANS (AHUPUA'A OF HOLUALOA) TMK(3) 7-6-014:13 Land
Area (Acreage): 15,372 sq. ft.
Attachments: BanyansSurfjpg; BanyansKEAkealaniwahine.jpg; banyans.jpg; Keakealaniwahine Banyans Site
(1).jpg; Keakealaniwahine photo.jpg; Keakealaniwaihine_Banyansjpg; Banyans park jpg;
Holualoa bay.jpg; Banyans beautiful ocean and waves .jpg; Banyans is Saved from 5 Story
Condo July 8, 2019jpg; Banyans 2019 poster jpg; Banyan Tree Condo looking south from
lanai into the shoreline Feb 2019.webp; Banyan Tree condo Lanai inside waves harden by
seawall Feb. 2019.webp; Banyan Sea Turtle on Reefjpg; Banyans hearing Tiare, Celest,
Simmy, Keawe, Lokelani jpg; Banyans photo entire Bali Kai looking from Makai to Mauka
2019.webp
O ' J
Aloha County Council Commissions, '
PLEASE SUPPORT Res 80-21 KEAKEALANI AT BANYANS (AHUPUA'A OF IIOLUALOA) TI11C(3) G
014:13 Land Area (Acreage): 15,372 sq. ft.
My name is Lokelaniku'ulei Makamae McMichael, I reside in Holualoa and am Kanaka Maoli. Banyan is >rhr^ post
popular Surf Spot on Big Island. My parents own the First Surf Shop in Kona, since the 1978. My bracer aid I grew
up at Surf Contests my parents ran the West Hawaii Surfing Association in the 80's at Banyans Surf Spot. Pro's like
Shane Dorian, Mike Stewart(9X World Champion, Bodyboarder), Conan Hayes, Torrey Miester , Lahiki Minamishin
and more all grew up surfing this spot. Right now there is only a 10 foot sliver the surfers can access the ocean, and
parking is often a problem. I even saw former Mayor Billy Kenoi get a parking ticket. My younger brother and I got
told to "beat it" surfing there when we were little. And my mother and I got chased down the street by a big man for
walking across the sea wall of the condo. Condo owners illegally rebuild seawalls, Mom and I were checking out a
bunch of tarps that were left on the reef, suffocated to death sea turtles that attracted sharks. Some of the people who
live at the existing condo's have supported us wanting a park. One even went so far as to say he'd give up his condo if
it meant all of Banyans be a park (so nice!).
The first known Ali'i Aimoku Wahine ("Queens") Chiefess Keakealani Wahine, of the entire Island of Hawaii, ruled
here.. She inherited here Chiefess from her father. A warriorness athletic surfer that held ceremonies that at the time
had only been performed by men. Even dressing in a man's malo, skilled in weaponry. The great-great grandma of
King Kamehameha, who also surfed here.
I3anyans is the number 1 Surf Spot on Big Island and I don't want to see it go to another infill, another condo. The
view from this lot is of Banyans and Keolanahihi, which waves from both sides used to connect. It might have been
used as a grandstand to watch surf contests in the 1300's. Just south is a temple for surfers called Hale 'ama I-Ieiau.
The way the waves break is changing due to Sea Level Rising. Just last month I saw a pod of humpback whales so
close to shore. I never seen this ever before. It makes me wonder how the Sea Level is Rising rapidly.
Super Natural is Real. Respect, Preserve, Don't Destroy. Shoreline portion, extending approximately 200 meters
inland, was the main portions of habitation and activities of Burial, canoe storage, ritual, marine exploitation,
Surfing. Royal Centers and Chiefly Residences were also situated near the Shoreline. These Complexes included
residences for high status individuals and their supporters and attendances, Heiau, places of refuge, halau slides
and other structures. The Hawaiian Kings and Queen Keakealaniwahine loved to Surf. Kahalu'u Bay, and
Holualoa Bay Keolanahihi and Keakealaniwahine of Banyans on Ali'i Drive. All are Super Natural. Do what is
Coram.No. •IPZ
1 Ref.To:
Ref.Date I 7 7 1MIlr,
Pono, we move now to Save Banyans! Private Mediation resulted to seek a PARK . Mahalo to the Attorney
Sherry Broder Mediator.
PONC would provide access to surf, fishing and gathering. "Save Our Surf' by not using concrete or seawalls.
Please support Keakealani at Banyans for acquisition with 2% Land Fund monies.
Mahalo,
Lokelaniku'ulei Makamae McMichael
MAHALO FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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