HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0648.010 1996-1998 ' ~
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1Davul7G. 1t,oy, ]r., Consultant
~F[awaii,an ~listory, Culture, 9testorations
Ttatanut Pono i ku .~ina" , , `r 1
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Kai lua-I:ona -
Feb 20, 198 C:~~,. i
ids. Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Chairwoman,
County Council Ptanning Committee
15 Aupurii St
Hilo, Hawaii 9b721
ke: Kamehameha Investment Corp.
Keauhou 900 Plus Unit Subdivision
Dear b4s. Leithead-Todd:
I subiY~~it. this letter in support of the above referericed project in
lieu of oral testimony at your last hearing in Kona, which I was
unable t.o attend.
I am a n~~ember of the Keauhou Advisory Council, named "Aha
Hana Pono," (Council to Promote Proper Action 1, established
several years ago, and comprised of individuals selected for their
lifelong residence in Kona, familiarity with Hawaiian concerns
appertaining to changing sand use patterns and factors bearing on
Hawaiian values and local lifestyles, it has been my privilege to sit
in consultation with representatives of the above mentioned
corporation and those instrumental in the decisions affecting land
developerr~ent being considered.
As a native Hawaiian barn and raised in Kawanui, between Honalo,
and Lehuula, witri family real estate connections in Keauhau Bay, o
and personal boyhood relations with its inhabitants and tl
lose of oo' ~
nearby I=:ailua, and having ranged from norih to south Kona in the ~
process of growing up, also, having st ;~uied Hawaiian in all aspects, ~
I am keenly sensitive regarding the treatment of Hawaiian Kistoric ~
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P.O. Box 596_... .....Kailua-Kona, HI46±45.....:.,,,,Ph. 1808) 322-b1 +4...........2ax 322-3281 ~ ~ ~
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sites, landmarks and artifacts. together with Hawaiian cultural
nuances. An alder resident of Kona, I take an active tale in the
community and am whaily concerned with its future
development. It is and has been my goad fortune to ha~vre been
born here and observe Kona's growth, thus far.
In the past, unfortunately, much has occurred with development.
and physical changes have been implemented with afmast
complete disregard far what was deemed important by community
elements like me. As a result, same of Keauhou's mast treasured
sites have been altered or no longer exist.. Responsibility rests
with our County government officials as well as agents of the
landowner, although in hindsight, one might think of it as "the
nature of the times."
Yet, it must be admitted that those in leadership, the non-local
decision makers, ware callous to the feelings of the natives, and
proceeded with little thougrit given to such concerns as burials,
historic or sacred edifices in the form of ruins of heiau, trails,
village sites, lateral traffic exits, open space, and other community
concerns that improve the quality of life. Sarrie factors were
tangible items relatively easy to handle, while many were
intangible, cultural factors, difficult far newcomers to identify and
deal with There was a need for qualified input then, as there is,
now
It is uplifting tome that the developers in this case, after a period
of apparent indifference, sought out knowledgeable kupuna in the
Kona district with roots in Keauhou, to assist in establishing
guidelines, incorporating longstanding values in the planning
process, and to call far input of aft kinds, relative to features of tree
environment worthy of preservatiari ar otherwise careful
treatment and consideration, and to guide them in their thinking
concerning matters sensitive to the Hawaiian community.
In the progressive planning considerations, there has emerged a.
proposal, a plan for the preparation of salrie of tree forrner wild
country in Keauhau, calculated to rneet the future needs of this
P 0. Box 595.....:.__.ICailtr~-Kona, HI 96745.....:.,,,,Ph. (208) 322-ti174._........:fzuc 3~~-3Z81
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beautiful land, the former resort of Hawaii's alii, and, with tasteful
landscaping, Improve the appearance of the whole area as well.
Keauhou stands to live-up to its meaning, the "new era or period,"
complete with a shopping center, community services, major
resort hotels and facilities, and now, a support community to
enrich the overall destination.
In discussions with the developers, we have been exposed to a full
perspective of the of the district, not only of Keauhou itself, but
also all adjoining areas on the north and south with due regard for
developments and cornmunit.y concerns in other localities. The
subjects of consideration have ranged from the planned
arrangement of the highway to the south and its possible effect on
historic sites in the subject land and future impacts and
environmental changes in areas we now take for granted. t.o
~:onditions arising from contact with innumerable factors
cc}mmensurate with an active, creative visitor industry, including
road hazards, stressful conditions due to congestion, increased
traffic, new business establishments. services, and needs,
rer_reation, both land and ocean oriented; preservation of space
for basic industry activities, such as agriculture, exotic flowers,
r:__:__. , , y.
Lrll~:K i:i oIJS, l1~Illi1~, ITlarlllfa~vtllI e(1 gVoClS, cattle I'lrlclliri}~, et~_.,
pertinent to the general economic welfare of the district..
The land in question has long been used as a fattening area for
cattle and consequently is ,overgrown with acacia over almost the
entire section adjacent to the north of Kameharneha III Road and
below Kuakini Highway. With the passing of cattle ranching as the
primary econorriic factor and the rriusriroomirg growtri of the
population, residential development will become increasingly
passing and the need for input such as in this instance, will serve
to ease the abrasive aspects of eonfrontatian.
Assuming the subject development being In place, with exits and
accesses created, Alii Drive stands to be relieved of much traffic
along the residential front, the flow being shunted to the more
open outlets at the lateral exits leading to Kuakini highway, the
n__ ~ i ~ nnn
major arterial.. The I"11g1"iwcty pr olec4ed IJy V(;Car151i1e 1 GVV at, 4l le
P.O. Bux 595 ....Kailtu~-I:un& HI 96745.....: _,„Ph. L$081322-6174...........:fr7X 32~-381
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south would skirt the historic improvements made at the Lekeleke
Burial site, and present a more pleasant and appreciable view of
the country, at the same time avoid much of the historical
corridor along the ocean front..
[ Indoubtedly, the environment will undergo more positive
evolution with the expected developments by otriers along the
Kona coast but our Hawaiian values will not suffer for lack of input
and due consideration, if similarattempts are undertaken by other
land owners and developers. to accommodate the host culture.
Nou no me ka oia'i'o,
cc:Joseph Spencer, Ka hameha Investment Corp.
Francis Kauhane, Cultural Consuft.arlt
Gerard Jervis, Trustee, B.P. Bishop Estate Trustee
P."u. Bux 590-._. Kailas-Kona, HI 96745.....:.,,,,Ph. f.808) 322-6174...........:f~x 322-3281