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Murashige, Laura
From: Kevin Seiter [kseiter@hawaii.rr.comj
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 4:04 PM ~ ; ~ ~ ~ u~ n
To: Rory; Rick Bennett; Peaman; pAtRiCk Dorian; Page Dorian-Alapai; Nancy Pisicchio; Mike Varney;
Mike Matsukawa; michael me michael; L~ Ratliff; Eoff, Karen; Honorable Harry Kim; Ed Rapoza;
Doug Inman; Yuen, Chris; Chip Fletcher~yrryCiltestimony@co:hawaii.hi.us; Holschuh, Fred; Ikeda,
Donald; Arakaki, James; Higa, Stacy; Safarik, Gary; Jacobson, Bob; Hoffmann, Pete
Subject: Bill 116--To acquire Wai'aha Beach--testimony of Kevin R. Seiter
West Hawaii Surfing Association, Inc.,
a Hawaii non-profit corporation
Post Office Box 1839
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745
TEL. & FAX: (808) 329-0731
Email: kseiter@hawaii.rr.com
Stacy Higa, Chairman
Hawaii County Council
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
BILL 116-To acquire Wai'aha Beach
HEARING DATE: 7-22-OS
Aloha Chairman Higa and Hawaii County Councilmembers:
On behalf of the West Hawaii Surfing Association, Inc., a Hawaii non-profit corporation dedicated to
the preservation of the surfing culture in West Hawaii, I thank you for allowing me to testify again in
support oPBill 1 l6, to acquire Wai'aha Beach-"Honl's Beach", so it can be restored, maintained and
preserved as a public beach park for Hawaii residents and visitors.
To facilitate the restoration, preservation and maintenance ("RPM") of Wai'aha Beach, the Wai'aha
Beach Advisory Committee ("WBAC") has been formed and preliminarily includes a 6-member cross
section of our community, including Jerome Kanuha of the West Hawaii Kanuha Ohana, Dr. Rick
Bennet of HILT, Michael Varney, Fd Rapoza, Duane Erway and myself. I consider my fellow
committee members "watermen" with deep community roots, who share a common desire to coordinate
with HILT all aspects of the restoration, preservation and maintenance of Wai'aha Beach, and advise
1IIL"l~ on management practices consistent with our Mission Statement, which I would like to summarize
Ibr you:
The purpose of the Wai'aha Beach Advisory Committee (WBAC) is t~ facilitate the
restoration, preservation, and management of Wai'aha Beach in a manner that promotes and
preserves its natural and cultural significance {or the public benefit.
Wai'aha Beach is a unique coastal environment with unique ecological, recreational and
economic value. The beach and bay are a public resource which should he held in the , t
Comm. No. . ,3 4
Ref. To: Pre
7/21/2005 Ref. Date_~~~
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public trust. The lack of other public beaches in the Kailua Kona area demonstrates the
need for Wai'aha's preservation. (NOTE--The o[her accessible, sandy beaches between
Kailua and Keauhou are La'aloa (White Sands) and Kahuluu Beach Parr Keep in mind
White Sands only has a sandy beach about half the year (thus the name "disappearing
sands"). and Kahuluu has very limited sandy, oceanfront shoreline. In terms of usable,
.randy beach, Honl's is the "best buy"for the public, especially in light of the overwhelming
development around i[.)
We support coastal management practices which protect and preserve the biodiversity and
ecological integrity of Wai'aha, including coastal research and science-based management
at Wai'aha that will preserve the beach environment and public access to it. These
management practices shall promote the right oflow-impact, free and open access to
W ai'aha.
Through grants, donations, membership contributions and governmental
financial assistance made to HILT, we will seek to restore Waiaha including removal of the
dilapidated structures and sea wall that interfere with beach processes, removal of non-
native plants, restoration of the beach and dune, and maintenance and protection of
remaining flora, fauna and cultural sites. The WBAC & HILT will be responsible for beach
maintenance and will work with the State, County and adjoining landowners to keep
Wal'aha free of rubbish and human debris. The WBAC & HILT will work with the State
and County to adopt reasonable beach use rules and regulations which will maximize beach
users experience while minimizing the impact on beach resources."
Shane Dorian, Kona's legendary, professional surfer, asked me to read the following testimony. (He is
stranded on an island in Fiji for 6 weeks)
"I am a 33 year old surfer born and raised in Kona. I have been surfing
Ilonl's (Wai'aha) beach since I was five. Like many other kids in Kona,
I grew up within walking distance from Honl's. The beach is very
important to the Kona kids who live near there as it is one of the only
sand beaches in town. It is a place where they can spend time with
family and friends. A place they can learn to surf, swim, dive and
fish. A place I plan to share with my own kids. I believe Wai'aha
should be a park for all the people of Kona. Mahalo, Shane Dorian
Mahalo for your support in this long-awaited endeavor.
Kevin R. Seiter
www.lag uerdobros. com/seite r
7/21 /2005