HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0257.011 2008-2010
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Murashige, Laura
From: darkona [darkona@hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Monday, May 18, 20094:00 PM i0G9 PifiY 113 pt~ 4 03
To: 'Donald Ikeda'; 'Dennis lshi'; 'Emily Emily Naeole'; 'J Yoshimoto'; 'Mayor Kenoi'; 'Brenda. Ford';
counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us; 'Dominic Yagong'; 'Kelly Greenwell{'!Guy' Eniqu`es;. ~P jte
Hoffmann'; hecht.deb@gmail.com ,U_IN ['V IF Subject: Resolutions 105 and 106 Prioritization of properties for acquisition with 2% funding. Properties
include: 263 acres at Kaiholena and Pao'o.
Dear Mayor Kenoi and County Council Members,
In October 2006 a localized rain event in the North Kohala area produced run-off borne sediment
that covered a well developed and mature coral reef from the shoreline out to a depth of at 65 ft in at
least one area. This sediment smothered and killed substantial amounts of coral particularly at
Pohakuloa Gulch, Keawewai Gulch, and Kaiopae Gulch, all gulches adjacent to land developed within
the last 20+ years.
These reef areas still have not fully recuperated since the 2006 event. Therefore habitat for fish,
invertebrates and other marine life associated with a healthy reef ecosystem has been impacted and a
productive reef area has been destroyed for an indeterminate time.
Subsequent aerial reconnaissance by the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) and the Division
of Aquatic Resources (DAR) revealed numerous examples of egregious land use practices in the mauka
watersheds above these heavily sedimented areas.
Ongoing long term coral reef monitoring at DAR's West Hawaii sites (1999 to 2007) has also
documented substantial declines in live coral cover in North Kohala from 1999 to 2007. For example at
Kamilo Gulch live coral has declined by 14% while it has declined by 17% at Waiakailio. This is
obviously not a healthy trend and is certainly reason for concern. The 2006 sedimentation event may
well have contributed to the overall loss in coral coverage in North Kohala.
By virtue of its jurisdiction over land use practices, grubbing, grading and other development
related rules, Hawaii County has a responsibility to island residents to protect our coral reef ecosystems
in order to maintain subsistence fishing, their economic value and our quality of life.
The fragile nature of lands mauka of the ocean all along the North Kohala coast must be
considered in future planning, and probably should not be developed for extensive human habitation or
used for ungulate grazing. These lands should be revegetated with plants appropriate for the area and in
harmony with the Hawaiian field system that once covered much of these areas.
Mahalo for your concern and attention. If you have further questions, please contact us.
Sincerely,
Sara Peck, M.Ed., PO Box 56, Holualoa HI 96725, 769-4278
Bill Walsh, Ph.D., 88-1610 Mamalahoa Hwy., Captain Cook, HI 96704,328-8041
Comm. No.
Ref. To:
Ref. Rnte AMY 2 0 2009
5/18/2009