HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0493.122 2000-2002 June 20, 2002 ` 1~EC:lci'vi~
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Kau Draft Strategic Plan: Executive Summary dote ~ ~ ,
Whatever happens in one district effects all districts of the island, and I am here to share the Kau Draft
Strategic Plan. After some preliminary discussions, the community of Kau District began in the year 2000
a series of meeting to formulate a Strategic Plan. The planning process was named Hoomaka Hou (HO-O-
MAKA-HO) or New Beginnings. Several public meetings were held to gather opinions, which generally
supported the community wishes and likes/dislikes that have been gathered in seven surveys in recent
years. A further survey was held at the 2001 Hula Fest.
The general character of the plan, what "we as a community would like to achieve, with the help of County
and State government. "Kau is an economically depressed district, which has not recovered from the loss
of the sugar industry in the mid-1990's. It's area is over 1,000 square miles, but the population of 6,000 is
too small to give Kau significant economic clout.
No elected or appointed official speaks for Kai alone, and it is remote from Hilo or Kona. With no specific
budget, improvement projects normally rely on grant proposals, and although Kau has been fairly
successful in winning funding, there is a consensus that the community has benefited very little. Also, the
constituent communities have differing needs and often find it difficult to speak with one voice.
Kau wants to retain its rural character and preserve the Hawaiian culture. Economic development should be
culture-sensitive. This reflects the desires of the community. Agriculture is the economic mainstay,
especially Mac-nuts and coffee. Tourism makes a small contribution to the economy, but the 1.2 million
visitors to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is presently an undenased resource. Rest-stop tourism
should be developed, and the community supports two Culture Centers that are planned.
Kau has many historic sites and areas of natural beauty. Historic restoration and improved access to the
ocean and forests would help boost tourism revenues as well as provide recreational opportunities. We seek
the designation of the Honuapo Pond as a nature reserve and are seeking restored access to Pohue
(POO-WHO-EE) Bay. We welcome the appointment of an administrator to restore the Ala Kahakai Trail
and would like to get priority for the section between Honuapo and Punalui?. One of our priorities is the
creation of a Hawaiian Heritage Corridor in Kau. As a small beginning, we obtained from County Research
and Development a grant for clearance of a historic church on the Kamaoa Road, where Father Damien
preached.
Water is a key issue, both for residents and agriculture. Although potentially there~uge water reserves,
agriculture is limited by water availability, and subdivisions at Ocean view and Green Sands lack county
water. The state recently gave the county $500,000 for a comprehensive plan for Southwest Hawaii water,
which includes South Kona farms. If Ocean View could just have a continuously supplied tank in the main
commercial area, they could build schools and a clinic. This is a fast growing community, and the
elimination of the water hauling from Naalehu would give Ocean View a major economic boost. We hope
that the effort to compile a Strategic Plan will bring a realization of the need for the community to lead in
the struggle to improve its own future.
Marge Elwell
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