HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0459.071 2024-2026From: 2janmarshall
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 1:22 AM
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To: Council Testimony
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Subject: Testimony on RESOLUTION #286-25 for the LAAC committee
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Dear LAAC Committee Members,
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We urge you to support resolution 286-25 encouraging County purchase of the Honolulu LandingareawithVUNC
funding.
This nearly 1 mile of ocean front gets an enormous amount of public usage in a populated area with little ocean
access. There are always folks there enjoying the view— many coming for the afternoon on a weekend. It serves
as a favored fishing spot for the many native Hawaiians and other locals who live in the adjacent subdivisions as
well as people who come from throughout the Big Island.
The mauka 334 acres is also very important to get into public ownership. It contains a preserved Hawaiian Village
complete with raised walkways, house foundations, terracing, heiau's etc. Almost all other villages in this once
populated area were bulldozed for agricultural purposes.
Longer term we would hope that a trail could be built through the property by the local people to serve the many
people who currently can only reach the ocean,from mauka homes by walking down busy Kahakai Boulevard that
has no sidewalks, putting lives at risk. There are many thousands of people who have no safe walking area in the
Hawaiian Shores and Hawaiian Beaches area who could benefit from walking access through this property
adjacent to the Hawaiian Shores subdivision.
In addition to the local usage many tourists now drive or ride bicycles down Government Beach Road and also
enjoy this area in its present undeveloped state.
Togetherwith the adjacent State owned property this area, if protected, would create a large forested area for
wildlife habitat including endangered honey creepers.
There are plenty of non -profits willingto be stewards and local people who already come together to keep the area
well maintained. Community support for this initiative is very strong. The petition for its preservation has
garnered well over 1000 signatures. The only folks who refused to sign the petition were alarmed because it is
going to get sold and they use it a lot - but they did not believe that the County would be smart enough to buy
it. We hope that you prove them wrong. For the $4.2 million asking price this is a very good deal for the County
which will benefit the community forever into the future.
Jan Marshall and Kawika Young
Comm. MN�
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