HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0257.012 2008-2010
County Council Finance Committee May 5, 3:30pm
Resolutions 105 and 106 In support
Testimony of Kamakani 'O Kohala Ohana - Kako'o
P.O. Box 76, Hawi HI 96719 website: kamakani.org
The members of Kako'o, ask the Council members to include the purchase of
the lands at Pao'o and Kaiholena together at the top of the County's priority list for
purchase. Together they will protect from imminent development two key joining
sections of the North Kohala coast.
We have offered testimony about the importance of preserving the legacy of
Hawaiian life during the Kamehameha period at the last hearing of these
resolutions. Today we want to show you how
Preserving the North Kohala scenic leeward coastline carries with it
many economic benefits to the County as well as to island residents and
businesses.
Archeological and scientific grants 700 years of evidence of Hawaiian
habitation lie intact in the soils of Kohala coastal lands. Because Pao'o and
Kaiholena are privately owned surveys on them have been focused only on surface
interpretation. As public land they would trigger far more intensive study of coastal
life as early as 1300. Grants would generate:
--extended visits by scientists involving housing, transportation, food.
--employment for research assistants, graduate students.
--teaching opportunities to benefit local university and high school
educators.
--support crews for dig sites.
Ocean research by leaving the coastline free of construction and exotic
landscaping the reefs offshore would be an ideal laboratory for study of the Kohala
reefs. These include:
--land and sea-based research grants involving housing, transportation
and food.
--employment for ocean-related jobs, research assistants and ground
support.
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--teaching opportunities for local schools.
Scenic drive - Preserving the coast from development of a string of oceanfront
mansion would maintain beauty and could be promoted to expand the use of the
coast as a scenic drive of visitors from Kona and Hilo. We would see:
--increase in car rentals.
--increase in visitor-oriented businesses and restaurants in North
Kohala and Kawaihae.
--increase in visitor activities such as fluming, horse and ATV trips.
Eco-tourism - An open coast free of development would preserve Kohala as a wild
place for visitors seeking outdoor adventure away from urban living. This would
lead to:
--employment and support base for boating and diving trips.
--employment and support base for kayaking tours.
--employment and support for hikers along the Federally designated
Ala Kakakai.
Film location - The pristine nature of the coast has already attracted millions of
dollars to the Big Island as location for full length films, documentaries and
advertisements. The wide sweeps of nature are a draw to location planners
creating:
--jobs in a variety of fields with filming on location.
--support facilities for film crews create jobs.
Hawaiian interpretive sites - The State Historical Park at Lapakahi attracts
many visitors and educational groups. Other lands added to the public domain
could turn the coast into a series of interpretive sites creating:
--jobs for cultural interpreters, crafts people, native practitioners.
--teaching opportunities for local schools.
Preserving the North Kohala coast is not just for saving historic sites and
viewplanes. It can benefit the county's economy as well.
Mahalo, Toni Withington, spokesperson