HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 428 Draft 01 2024-2026
A RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION TO PRIORITIZE AND EXPEDITE THE RESTORATION OF ISAAC KEPO‘OKALANI HALE BEACH PARK AT POHOIKI IN PUNA.
WHEREAS, the 2018 Kīlauea volcanic eruption partially inundated Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park and buried the adjacent Pohoiki Boat Ramp in sand and volcanic debris, depriving the
community of one of the few publicly accessible recreational areas in Lower Puna; and
WHEREAS, prior to the eruption, the beach park served as an important gathering place for ‘ohana, cultural practices and workshops, fishing, surfing, camping, and other community activities;
and
WHEREAS, following the Department of Parks and Recreation’s presentation of a proposed budget and conceptual park plan in October 2021, a County-community collaborative hui — Revitalize
Puna Resilience Capacity Areas and Co-Chairs — raised concerns over preliminary proposals and insufficient engagement with lineal descendants and area ‘ohana, prompting a robust collaborative
engagement process for the park’s restoration and revitalization; and
WHEREAS, after nearly a year of engagement — including meetings with Pohoiki area ‘ohana, in-person and virtual planning sessions with the broader Lower Puna community, and coordination
with governmental partners — a revised park improvement plan was submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in May 2022, with a subsequent implementation framework, Revitalize
Pohoiki, unveiled in October 2022, a copy of which is attached hereto as “Exhibit A,” and
WHEREAS, the Revitalize Pohoiki plan established guiding principles of lōkahi (unity and oneness), ‘auamo kuleana (shared responsibility), and kīho‘iho‘i (restoration and return to
wellness), key areas of restoration focus, and a detailed timeline to ground the entire process of planning, design, construction, and long-term stewardship; and
WHEREAS, Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park was initially scheduled to be restored by the end of 2023, a timeline that was subsequently delayed to December 2026; and
WHEREAS, a community meeting was held in July 2024 to gather feedback on preliminary park restoration concepts to inform a Draft Environmental Assessment, which was provided to the Department
of Parks and Recreation by a private planning consultant, The Limtiaco Consulting Group, in December 2024; and
WHEREAS, the restoration timeline is now further postponed to December 2028, more than a decade since the eruption, and spanning three mayoral administrations; and
WHEREAS, the continued delay raises serious concerns regarding the lack of urgency for a community that was directly impacted by lava inundation and continues to experience prolonged
recovery, particularly with respect to restoring access to this wahi pana for ‘ohana, keiki, and kūpuna; and
WHEREAS, visitors are already frequenting Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park, often venturing into hazardous, culturally sensitive, or privately owned areas due to the absence of restored
facilities, infrastructure, and directional signage, thereby increasing safety risks and placing additional strain on the area; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that the Parks and Recreation Director is hereby urged to prioritize and expedite immediate review, comment, feedback, and finalization
of the Draft Environmental Assessment so that the project may advance to the next phase of the planning and design without further delay.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Parks and Recreation is urged to work in coordination with the Department of Finance and the Kīlauea Eruption Recovery Division to finalize
a project budget and identify appropriate funding sources, so that construction may commence expeditiously upon completion of final design, permitting, project competitive bidding,
and contract award.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council encourages the pursuit of public, private, and philanthropic partnerships to support the long-term management, programming, stewardship, and sustainability
of Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable C. Kimo Alameda, Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi; Clayton S. Honma, Parks and Recreation
Director; Diane T. Nakagawa, Director of Finance; and Douglas Nam Le, Recovery Officer, Planning Department.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
HUSTACE
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KAGIWADA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
ATTEST:
KIMBALL
ONISHI
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.