HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0335.027 2004-2006
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July 7, 2005
Honorable County Council
Hawaii County
Dear Council Members,
As the Executive Director ofthe Hawaii Island Land Trust, I offer aloha and best wishes
from our Board of Directors.
Hawaii Island Land Trust (HILT) has been asked to be assistance to a long standing
community effort to protect in perpetuity the rare white sand beach known locally in
Kona as "Honl's'• or historically as Wai'aha.
Wai'aha beach is a small, albeit rare, white sand beach that has been accessible to the
public for decades. It has tremendous cultural significance as well. Since the 1950's it has
been envisioned by the territorial government as a protected beach pazk.
Public and visitor access to sandy beaches is central to the island way of life, its culture
and the tourist economy. Actions by Hawaii County to assure public beach access to
Wai'aha would be acknowledged and appreciated for generations to come.
1 have met with the community leaders and other parties that are keenly interested in a
program to protect this site. Specifically HILT as a non profit land trust is in a unique
position to assist land owners and the county in the acquisition and or restoration and
management of the lands.
r Comm. No. 3 .2
~ 7i ~ Ref. To: Pra~aRhrl
Ret. Uote JUL 7 711(15
Information provided me by the principal interests in the land; indicate that a transfer of
the development rights (TDR) to a receiving parcel well mauka of the shore azea provides
for means of protecting Wai'aha at without requiring county funds for the purchase of the
land. This solution merits the full consideration and support by the County and its
relevant agencies.
Restoration and management of the site could be provided through the Land Trust via a
combination of funds from county, private and public donations. Exactly how this will
be designed remains to be developed. Just the same there is a unique opportunity to move
forward to protect this rare site and do so at far less cost to the local government. Time is
however of the essence. The good faith of both the seller and the buyer must not be
squandered for the lack of a comprehensive county wide TDR program.
The Hawaii Island Land Trust is uniquely positioned to offer creative solutions that are
consistent with our mission. The protection of Wai'aha falls squarely within our mission
and we look forward to assisting the community bring the vision created decades ago to
life.
With or without participation by HILT, it is our opinion that the County should take
advantage of this unique opportunity to preserve this beach in perpetuity for the people of
Hawaii County.
Sincerely y s,
R. H. Bennett PhD
Executive Director
Kona Land Trust
Cc President Baird
Board of Directors
K Seiter
E. Rapoza
D. Erway
C. Yuen
A. Pilago