HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 133 Draft 01 2012-2014 ;#11.9S NVI. .
COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 133 13
A RESOLUTION URGING THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION AND THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO ASSIST IN
CREATING A SAFE SWIM AREA NEAR THE POHOIKI BOAT RAMP IN THE
DISTRICT OF PUNA AND TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY.
WHEREAS, there are over 50 miles of Puna coastline, however, there are only a few
places in the district to safely access the ocean; and
WHEREAS, there are many families and new arrivals in Puna that access the ocean at
the easiest and seemingly safest place, the Pohoiki Boat Ramp; and
WHEREAS, Pohoiki Boat Ramp is one of the smallest boat ramp facilities in the State
and the most dangerous due to its heavy subjection to strong currents and shoreline surges; and
WHEREAS, it is illegal and dangerous to swim at Pohoiki Boat Ramp where rules are
enforced by the Hawai`i State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating
and Ocean Recreation; and
WHEREAS, local fisherman use the ramp day and night, and launchings have recently
increased to include tour boats launched for lava viewing tours; and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawai`i maintains a 15.65 acre public park adjacent to this
State facility, however, the park has no safe ocean access; and
WHEREAS, there has been an ongoing effort by community members, elected officials
and County departments to identify and procure an area near the State facility and County park to
create a safe swim area near the north end of the boat ramp, similar to the one at Onekahakaha
Beach Park; and
WHEREAS, creating a safe swim area where none exists is a monumental undertaking
that will require partnerships with the Federal Government, the Hawai`i State Legislature, the
Hawai`i County Council, and the County administration; and
WHEREAS, in a support letter from the Department of Parks and Recreation, Director
Clayton Honma expresses his hope that "funds will be allocated to this very worthy project that
will minimize the dangers of boaters and swimmers sharing waters in such close proximity...";
and
WHEREAS, agreements to affirm partnerships, share information, and work with the
goal to create a safe swim area in the Puna district is the first step in the process, the second is
appropriating funds for a feasibility study; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
hereby supports the effort to create a safe swim area in the Puna district and urges the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Hawai`i State Legislature to work with the
County administration to fund and undertake a feasibility study for its creation.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the National Marine Fisheries Service Division of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration; the Honorable Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair David
Ige; the Honorable House Committee on Finance Chair Sylvia Luke; Department of Land and
Natural Resources Chair William J. Aila, Jr.; the Honorable Mayor William P. Kenoi; and
Department of Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma.
Dated at Kona , Hawai`i, this 24th day of July , 2013.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMB', COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i EOFF X
FORD X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by ILAGAN X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KANUHA
County of Hawaii on July 24, 2013 X
KERN X
ONISHI X
ATTEST: POINDEXTER X
WILLE X
YOSHIMOTO X
Reference: C-319/GREnC -2
'OUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 133 13
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