HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0258.009 2008-2010
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From: Gail Byrne [gailbyrne@hawaii.rr.com]
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 10:25 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for Reso 106 L~t1g flf''R 20 a~ 10 13
Attachments: 0904 Fact Sheet for Pao'o and Kaiholena.pdf; ATT00014.txt C;O; i; .j C+_C{,:<
LJ Q
3904 Fact Sheet for ATI-00014.bd (95
Pao'o and B)
Aloha,
Please distribute the attached information to the County Council today. This is
background information regarding resolution 106 and purchasing Pao'o, Kaiholena, and
Puapuaa.
Thanks!
Gail Byrne
938-8880
COMM. No.~ Sg~
Ref. To:
1 Ref. Date 21 2009
Fact Sheet for Pao'o and Kaiholena
Page
Parcel information and background 1
Map of N Kohala Coast with Pao'o and Kaiholena highlighted 2
Letters from landowners and representatives stating willingness 3,4
to sell for conservation purposes
2006 Letter to Mayor Kim from 30+ Kohala businesses and 5
organizations supporting preservation of N Kohala coast
Documentation of 40+ years of work to preserve the N Kohala coast...... 6
Parcel Information and Background
Owners, Acreage, TMKs, Contact Information
Both are coastline parcels
Parcel Name Owner Acres TMKs
Pao'o Jonathan Cohen (Aloha LLC) 10.61 3-5-7-001-005
Kaiholena Pohaku Kea LLC 151.615 3-5-8-001-011,019,020,024
Kaiholena EWM Investments LLC 110.864 3-5-8-001-021,022,023,025
See page three and four for the attached letters from the landowners and representative for
contact information for the landowners.
Cultural and Archeological Information
These parcels, which are contiguous and adjoining, have the MOST NUMEROUS, INTACT,
PRE-CONTACT ARCHEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SITES IN THE STATE.
Pao'o has a unique complex of canoe hale and a burial complex including a unique burial
enclosure for a Kohala Ali'i with walls that are sacred and hold special meaning for Hawaiians.
Kaiholena has many sites including ahu, burial sites, platforms, enclosures, terraces, walls,
compound structures, etc.
In 2001, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (representatives of all Civic Clubs) passed a
resolution urging the Hawaii County Council to redesignate the North Kohala Coastline to
Conservation/Open and recognized the long history of community support for preserving the
Kohala Coast and that the North Kohala coastline is historically and culturally very important to
all people of Hawaii, but particularly to Native Hawaiians
Open Space Commission Reports
Pao'o and Kaiholena have been on all three Open Space reports (2006, 2007, and 2008). Pao'o
was ranked #1 for purchase by the County in 2007 and #2 in 2008 and Kaiholena was prioritized
for purchase in the 2007.
County Council Resolutions
Resolutions, numbered 616-08 and 644-08, were passed unanimously by the County Council and
Pao'o and Kaiholena Information Page 1 of 10
direct the County to purchase Pao'o and Kaiholena, respectively.
Community Development Plan
The North Kohala Community Development Plan identifies both Kaiholena and Pao'o as
priorities for preservation, free of development.
Community Support
The community has been working for 40+ years to preserve this coastline including Kaiholena
and Pao'o. See the attached summary of work, petitions, plans, resolutions, and bills on Page 7.
In 2006 30+ businesses and organizations sent a letter to Mayor Kim asking him to prioritize the
North Kohala coast for protection. See page 8 for the letter to Mayor Kim.
Nearly 8,000 signatures have been collected calling for the preservation of the North Kohala
Coast
In 1990 community members created a video featuring kupuna William "Papa" Akan and Clyde
"Kindy" Sproat expressing the communities desire to preserve the Coast for future generations,
and
Statewide Significance
In addition to having the most numerous intact precontact archeological and cultural sites in the
State, purchasing Pao'o and Kaiholena will assist with preserving the longest protected open
space stretch in the State viewable and accessible by a highway.
In 1988 and 2001, Senate Concurrent Resolutions 179 and 146, S.D.I passed both houses of the
State Legislature, urging the retention and preservation of open space along the coastline of the
North Kohala District.
Natural Resource Protection
Preserving Kaiholena and Pao'o
will protect near shore marine
environment and water quality -
which we need given the
significant degradation to water a
quality and the reef just south of
this area caused by development f +
activities. -WR
M1.
i
fi
Pao'o and Kaiholena Information Page 2 of 10
From the North Kohala Community Development Plan, Page 31
Pao'o and Kaiholena identified as key purchases to preserve North Kohala Coast
Chapter4 Action Prggrams
Figure 6: Key Purchases to Preserve the North Kohala Coast
Key Purchases To Preserve North Kohala Coast
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Pao'o and Kaiholena Information Page 3 of 10
Confirmation that Landowners of Pao'o and Kaiholena Are Willing to Sell
FSW T s,~ .;E;a<,.,
=MV4_721 .89&„o; JO."v TI-TANJ COHEN :O: M'562 '
April 5, 2009
To Wham it may Canoem:
County of Hawaii
Ref. Pao'o TMK -5.7-01:5
Following your enquiry I Confirm that, it mutually aaept" pice and terms can he agreed, I am
willing to sell Pao'o fret above) for mns abon purposes. I am also waling to discuss this with
the County.
10
Jonathan J Cohen
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Pao'o and Kaiholena Information Page 4 of 10
March 26, 2009
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
RE: Availability Status of Kaiholena Oceanfront Acreage -262+acres
TMK#315-8-1-011,019,020,024 (approx 151= acres) Owner. Pohaku LLC
TMK#3/5-5-1-021,022.023.025 (approx I I I+acres) Owner: EW;N Investments, LLC
To whom it may concern,
This transmittal is to confirm that the above referenced properties located at Kaiholena,
North Kohala District, County of Hawaii are available for purchase, and are actively,
MLS listed, for sale with our office, REMAX Pacific.
We believe that either or both, of the two separate property owners would consider
cmtcring into negotiations with the County of Hawaii for their purchase.
The Kaiholena property has approximately 1.5 miles of ocean frontage and
approximately I mile of frontage between mile markers I I & 12 on the Akoni Pule Hwy.
If you wish additional information please feel free to call or write.
Sincerely, r
Charles A. Anderson, PB
REMAX Pacific
/j Pacific
65.1323 Kawaihae Road • Kamuela, Hawaii 96743 • Office: (808) 885-5557 • Fax: (808) 8854895
Pao'o and Kaiholena Information Page 5 of 10
2006 Letter to Mayor Kim from 30 Kohala Businesses and Organizations
Malama Kohala Kahakai
(Preserving the Kohala Coast)
January 31, 2006
Kohala Hawaiian Civic Club
Aloha Mayor Kim,
Kohala Senior Citizens Club
This letter is sent on behalf of the 30 organizations and businesses
North Kohala Merchants Assoc. listed to the left and the individuals named on the next page. Over the
(representing 15 businesses in last 30 years, the people of Kohala have continuously expressed the
North Kohala) desire to see the Kohala Coast permanently protected. The reasons
that the people of Kohala have wanted to save the coast in the past
North Kohala Community are still just as compelling and relevant today and include,
Resource Center • areas of unquestionable archeological and cultural significance
including the best pre-contact Hawaiian archaeological sites in the
New Moon Foundation General state, which haven no protection, such as Holo Moans, the only
Manager,Suranna Gratz navigational heiau on the island,
• one of the last most contiguous view planes from a highway in the
Kohala Community Land Trust state,
• protection of theI foundation for a sustainable economy that
Kohala Action F.-News respects the unique cultural and environmental landscape of
Kohala,
Historic Hawaii Properties LLC ' a relatively small number of large land owners, which makes
acquisition and protecting this area easier and more efficient
HokuWai Inc. • protection for pristine marine environments
• sustaining access to areas that have been used for generations for
Hawaii Natural Resource camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, etc.
Services LLC
For these reasons, we urge you and the Public"Access, Open Space,
Maika'i Ka Makani Inc and Natural Resources Preservation Commission to prioritize for
protection the North! Kohala coastal area makal of Akoni Pule
Kohala Natural Healing Arts Highway from Kohala Waterfront to Puakea and for select other
coastal sites of significance such as Hale O Kaili Heiau, Kapanaia,
Mulama Kai Foundation Mookini Heiau, the Kohala Lighthouse area, etc. A map delineating
this area and listing the associated Tax Map Keys is enclosed.
Kohala ['reject Venture
For some of the individuals signing this letter, preserving the Kohala
Na Huapala'O Hawaii and Coast is the work of their heart and soul and they are committed to
Malama Kukui Cultural spending the rest of their lives on this work.
Learning Center
Mahalo for your kokua in preserving these irreplaceable natural and
Mulama Kohala Kahakai cultural resources.
Cc: Hawaii County Council
Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission
Representative Dwight Takamine
Senator Lorraine Inoyue
Rick Bennett, Ph.D., Hawaii Island Land Trust
Joshua Stanbro, Trust for Public Lands
Contact Information
Fred Cachola and Gail Byrne Go North Kohala Community Resource Center P.O. Box 2, Hawi, Hawaii 96738
Fred: 808-685-4293 or Gail: 808-883-8268
FredCachola@aol.com gailbyrne®hawaii.n.com
Page 1 Of 2
Pao'o and Kaiholena Information Page 6 of 10
I
40+ Year History - Preserving: the North Kohala Coast
Preserving the North Kohala Coast has over a 40 year documented history of community
support for and work to preserve this incredible coastline in open space and keep it free of any
development makai of Akoni Pule Highway. The 40 years worth of petitions, government
resolutions, letters, and plans are summarized below.
For decades, four of Kohala's most beloved kupuna and community leaders have worked to
preserve the Kohala Coastline in open space. Their names and signatures are on many of the
documents, petitions, and letters summarized below. These kupuna are: Marie Solomon,
William Akau, Armstrong Yamamoto, Clyde Sproat'
In 2009, HOUSE BILL 26 TO DOWNZONE STATE LANDS TO CONSERVATION TO
ENSURE NO DEVELOPMENT OF STATE LANDS MAKAI OF AKONI PULE HIGHWAY
between Kohala Ranch and Kukuipahu-Haena was,re-introduced.
In 2008, the HAWAII COUNTY'S PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL
RESOURCES COMMISSION again identified Pao'o as a top priority for permanent protection
by the County.
In 2008, HOUSE BILL 2607 TO DOWNZONE STATE LANDS TO CONSERVATION TO
ENSURE NO DEVELOPMENT OF STATE LANDS MAKAI OF AKONI PULE HIGHWAY
between Kohala Ranch and Kukuipahu-Haena was introduced. Organizations from around
the State have testified in support of HB-2607 including the University of Hawaii and the
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
In 2007, the HAWAII COUNTY'S PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL
RESOURCES COMMISSION identified the four North Kohala coastal parcels as the top four
priorities for permanent protection by the County. These properties are: Pao'o, Kukuipahu-
Haena, Mahukona, and Kaiholena.
In 2006, the HAWAII COUNTY'S PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL
RESOURCES COMMISSION identified the three private in-holding in Lapakahi as a high
priority for purchase for permanent protection. The Commission also identified Mahukona,
Kamano, Kou, Hihiu, and Kamona ahupua'a along the Kohala Coast as priorities for purchase
In 2006, THIRTY (30) KOHALA BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS signed a letter
requesting Mayor Kim to prioritize the North Kohala Coast for permanent protection
In 2001, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 146, S.D. 1, passed both houses of the State
Legislature, urging the retention and preservation of open space and view planes, historic sites,
and traditional access along the coastline of the North Kohala District and again called for
collaboration to discourage subdivision and building development
In 2001, CHAIRPERSON of the STATE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES,
Mr. Gilbert Coloma-Agaran, testified before the State Senate Committee of Water, Land, Energy
and Environment, in support of SR 146 and pledged DLNR's support to coordinate with the
residents of Kohala and County of Hawaii. His testimony also recognized the importance of the
numerous natural, scenic, historic and cultural resources abounding in Kohala and its coast.
In 2001, the ASSOCIATION OF HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUBS (representatives of all Civic Clubs)
passed a resolution urging the Hawaii County Council to redesignate the North Kohala
Pao'o and Kaiholena Information Page 7 of 10
Coastline to Conservation/Open. The resolution recognized a long history of community
support for preserving the Kohala Coast and that the North Kohala coastline is historically and
culturally very important to all people of Hawaii, but particularly to Native Hawaiians.
In 2001, the KOHALA HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB, KOHALA FILIPINA COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATION, KOHALA PUERTO RICAN SOCIAL CLUB, KOHALA HISTORIC AND
CULTURAL PRESERVATION GROUP AND REVERED KUPUNA WILLIAM AKAU requested
the Hawaii County Council to place a moratorium on all subdividing and development makai of
Akoni Pule Highway from Kawaihae to Pololu Valley.
In 2001 and then again in 2002, the KOHALA COMMUNITY REPRESENTED BY REVERED
KUPUNA and community members signed and sent a letter to the County documenting
Kohala's 30+ years of work to protect the Kohala Coast. This letter recognized that people from
all over the Island (Ka'u, Hilo, Puna, Hamakua, Kona) still come to Kohala with their families to
fish and camp.
In 2002, the KOHALA HISTORIC AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE submitted a petition
with more than 1,000 signatures requesting the County protect and preserve the Kohala
Coastline
In 2002, the COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING COMMISSION with the agreement of the
HAWAII COUNTY PLANNING DIRECTOR recognized the significance of the feeling of open
space that is so important to North Kohala and incorporated SR 146 into the Hawaii County
General Plan
In 2000, the KOHALA HISTORIC AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE collected well over
six hundred signatures from Kohala residents and submitted them as part of a community
response to the update of the Hawaii County Comprehensive Plan, urging the preservation and
protection of the region from Kawaihae to Pololu Valley
In 1994, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 116 called on the Department of Land and
Natural Resources to consider public acquisition of the Kohala Coast prior to construction of any
additional infrastructure
In 1994, SENATE RESOLUTION 85 urged DNLR to consider Kohala Coastal acquisitions
In 1993, HAWI TOWN CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS identified the "undeveloped coastline"
as a defining element of the town character
In 1992, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 211 called on the County and State to
develop a plan to protect the open space and historic sites makai of Akoni Pule Highway and to
promote non-exclusive public enjoyment of the area AND that the County and State should
discourage any subdividing and building until such a plan is in place.
In 1992, THE NORTHWEST HAWAII OPEN SPACE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PLAN, calls for a comprehensive effort to protect valuable North Kohala coastal areas as open
space for public use and enjoyment
In 1991, THE GOVENOR CALLED FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE NORTH KOHALA
COAST IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS.
In 1990, LOCAL RESIDENTS PRODUCED A VIDEO FEATURING CLYDE SPROAT AND
WILLIAM AKAU (revered kupuna) documenting the community's desire to protect the Kohala
Pao'o and Kaiholena Information Page 8 of 10 '
Coast
In 1990, the HAWAII STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY and the HAWAII COUNTY
DEMOCRATIC PARTY both adopted resolutions at their conventions calling for the State and
County to develop and implement a plan to protect the open nature of the coast, preserve its
valuable historic sites and promote nonexclusive enjoyment of it by residents and visitor alike."
In 1990, DECISION - ACTION 90's, a report to Hawaii County, calls on the State and County to
"quickly and clearly establish areas in the County that are never to be developed" and cites
Kohala as an example where development should be discouraged
In 1990 COASTLINE CONFERENCE - recommendations to form a special area designation for
the coast such as scenic heritages or historic corridor
In 1989, the HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE passed a resolution calling
for protection of the coastline from development and calling for a survey of the coast. The
resolution was passed unanimously
In 1989, the WEST HAWAII REGIONAL PLAN says the State and County have already over-
committed West Hawaii in resort and resort-residential development and shows no resort-
residential development in North Kohala. The plan identifies the cliffs and valleys of Kohala
Mountain and the panoramic coastal views from Kohala Mountain as highest on its list of
"important scenic heritage resources"
In 1988, almost 6,000 HAWAII ISLAND SIGNATURES WERE COLLECTED FOR A
PETITION CALLING FOR A BUILDING MORATORIUM makai of Akoni Pule Highway. The
signature were collected by the Citizens for the Protection of the North Kohala Coast and over
half of the signatures were from Kohala
In 1988, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 179 passed both houses of the State
Legislature and called on governments to work together to ensure public view and open space
along the coast and to discourage development makai of Akoni Pule Highway
In 1988, DLNR commissioned the study "NORTH KOHALA: PERCEPTIONS OF A
CHANGING COMMUNITY", which indicated the intent of past state administrations and DLNR
staff to preserve and protect the North Kohala Coast. This study also stated that the North
Kohala Coast has the most numerous and intact, are-contact archeological and cultural
sites in the state
In 1983, THE NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN, adopted by resolution
by the County Planning Commission, which implements the General Plan for the North Kohala
District, recommended for OPEN classification the entire length of the North Kohala Coast
In 1972, the DLNR study entitled "NORTH KOHALA, PRESERVATION OF ISTORICAL
RESOURCES" indicated the intent of past state administrations and DLNR staff to preserve and
protect the North Kohala Coast.
Early 1970's newspaper articles discuss the need to preserve the coast
In 1963, the KOHALA-HAMAKUA REGIONAL GENERAL PLAN stated that development and
resorts should be concentrated in South Kohala and away from existing residential areas such
as Hawi. No resort zoning was identified along the North Kohala Coast.
Pao'o and Kaiholena Information Page 9 of 10
Additionally, many important community organizations have continually offered their support to
preserve the North Kohala Coast and have signed and supported the above petitions and letters
and resolutions. These organizations include:
• Kohala Kupuna Council
• Kohala Filipina Association
• Kohala Hawaiian Civic Club
• Kohala Puerto Rican Club
• Kohala Historic and Preservation Group
• Long time local merchants
Pao'o and Kaiholena Information Page 10 of 10