HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0638.001 1998-2000 c-) i' ;
P. O. Box 2891 ~ ~ ;
Kamuela, H! 96743 ~
~808~ 885-8022 ' ~ ~ ~ .X S 7
Fax: 87-1157
Aaron Chung r`~ , , . ~ _ ;'„~,i!
Chair, Finance Committee Feb 15, 2000
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720 Re: Communication 638, Bill 198
Wai'aha Bay Beach Park Land Acquisition
Dear Chairman Chung,
I am here to ask the Council to support the Wai'aha Bay Beach Park Land Acquisition Bill 198.
I believe this acquisition will be an important step in the development of the Kailua to Keauhou
area. Our community strongly supports a park here, as is evidenced in the 3000+ signatures
have been collected and submitted to the mayor.
Preserving open space at Wai'aha has had longtime significance to planners as is evidenced in
the attached Territory of Hawaii map: "Suggested Development Plan for the Kailua-Kona Resort
Center" prepared for the Territorial Planning Office, Territory of Hawaii. This map appeared in
the historical section of R.M. Towill's, The Master Plan for Kailua-Kona.
This map illustrates how the planners before us had the foresight to preserve valuable beach
resources by identifying the Wai'aha beach area as a public park and establishing the resorts
and commercial areas around that park. I believe this public park designation intended to
attract developers to the area of natural beauty and white sand beach without reducing its size
or limiting its use to a few private landowners.
The significance of this site to our predecessors is further evidenced in this map; note how Ali'i
Drive is distinctly routed mauka of the Wai'aha area to avoid encroachment and allow maximum
clearance of the then existing beach area. The value and potential of Wai'aha beach was
recognized and considered long before Hawaii became a state!
Recent large-scale developments proposed for the area between Kailua and Keauhou reinforce
the need for new parks to provide recreational areas for the imminent influx of residents.
We must maintain balance and foresight for open spaces in the long-term planning of this area.
The existing parks at Kahalu'u and White Sands Beach are already overcrowded. The beach at
Wai'aha is one of the few open spaces left that could be used to benefit Kailua-Kona's
continually increasing resident and visitor population. We should follow the example of past
planners who long ago recognized the sigrnficance of establishing Wai'aha beach as a public
park, long before are even more vital need to do so today.
I ask the Council to seriously consider funding for the purchase of the Wai'aha beach parcel.
Future assistance from the Federal Highways Administrations TEA-21 program could help pay
for improvements to this project.
Page three is acomputer-enhanced image of the park site.
SoBay, the owner of this parcel has just received the SMA use permit needed to build a
5 story, 21 unit condomirnum. Construction could begin anytime, so it is essential for the
County to take immediate action in order to preserve this beach for future generations.
Sincerely,
Michael L. Vamey Comm. No. (o ~0 . t~ ~ ~
Fite No.
Ref. To: ~
Ref. Date FEB 15 2000
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