HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-10 Susan Forbes TestimonyFrom: Susan Forbes
To: WPCtestimony
Subject: Testimony for Windward Planning Commission Hearing
Date:Monday,March 10, 2025 10:55:14 AM
Attachments: Testimony for the Windward Planning Commission re.odf
Aloha,
Attached is my testimony related to the final draft of the General Plan 2045.
In gratitude,
Susan Forbes
Susan Forbes
PO Box 199
Hakalau, HI 96710
808-286-6130/sksforbes@gmail.com
March 10, 2025
Windward Planning Commission, Hawaii County
Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hi, Hawaii 96720
RE: Testimony on Hawaii County General Plan 2045, Final Recommended Draft
Dear Chair Daniele, Vice Chair Perrin, and members of the Windward Planning Commission,
Thankyou for this opportunity to testify.
I have lived in Hawaii for the past 57 years and in Hakalau for the past 14 years.
My focus is Hakalau Point, parcels 29002079 and 81. In 2015, 1 submitted a suggestion form to the
County to acquire Hakalau Point under the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources
Preservation Commission (PONC). While a priority on the County's acquisition list, negotiations with the
owner failed. I was an active participant in hearings of the Hamakua Community Plan.
I'm testifying because of the inconsistency in the Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 and the
HCDP adopted by ordinance in 2018,which was the result of significant community input and
controversy during the HCDP process which lasted 9 years. My testimony summarizes the uniqueness of
the site in terms of the historical, cultural and scenic significance. In addition, I've raised some practical
issues related to safety within the community.
Hakalau Point(and Hakalau Valley) played a major role in Hawaiian history. King Kamehameha defeated
Maui warriors in Hakalau, an important step in the unification of the islands. (Attached is the 2015 PONC
testimony of Kehaulani Lum delineating the details.)
Hakalau Point and the mill area by the Bay were the hub of sugar production for over 100 years. The Point
was a work site.The sugar industry is significant because of the contributions of its workers, immigrants
from many cultures, and the values which enrich Hawaii today: Engage in collective effort. Look out for
each other. Honor hard work. Show respect for those who came before us.Aloha and Malama 'Aina.This
history enriches all of us.There are stories to tell and lessons to be learned from understanding the
cultural and historical significance of the area.
3..
T±i
a
L r t
G
1tt
y
Y
Hakalau Up Camp, Down Camp, Hakalau Point and Hakalau Bay, circa 1944-1945.
Photo courtesy ofAkiko Masuda
Conservation area along the cliffs and the availability of a recreational area are important. If we are
serious about preserving the cultural, historical and environmental significance, a majority of Hakalau
Point should be preserved for open/conservation/recreation.
Safety issues do exist and are worth mentioning.This is a quiet residential neighborhood, although there
are tourists who come to walk down to Hakalau Bay. Take a look at the setting in the Google Earth image
from 2023. There is one road in and out of this section of Hakalau, i.e., Old Mamalahoa Highway.This
poses a problem during an emergency, i.e., hurricanes, fires, etc. The road down to Hakalau Bay is
currently blocked off and the park has been closed since 2017. It will remain closed while the Hakalau
Bridge on Highway 19 is repaired/restored. This process will go on for years.
Ljj 1
Hakalau Point is scenic...from the highway, from walking around the neighborhood, from the Bay or
ocean. The scenic beauty is also worth preserving.
Thank you for your service to the County and the
people who live here.
In gratitude,
Susan Forbes
k
r
Walau Point, 9-10-15, courtesy of Susan Forbes
September 8, 2015
TO: Commissioners of the Hawai'i County Public Access, Open Space and
Natural Resources Preservation Commission
FROM: Kehaulani Lum
Aloha!
Mahalo nui loa for this opportunity to present my concerns regarding the cultural
and historically important lands of Hakalau Point.
My name is Kehaulani Lum, and I am a lineal descendant of Kapou,the son of a
Konohiki of Hakalau-nui and recipient of a Mahele grant in Wailea,which our'ohana
stewards today. I wholeheartedly support your consideration of this opportunity to
improve public access, open space and cultural, historic and natural resource
preservation.
Hakalau-nui carries the name of a ruling chief,who was the kaulana nui
administrator of land) of the area and a revered 'olohe, a master fighter. The 'olohe
of this area were renown for their prowess, and the ancient spiritual art of lua, from
self-defense to healing,was practiced and taught here.
In the Mahele,the lands encompassing Hakalau-nui, Hilo Paliku,were given by the
King to Mikahela Kekau'onohi,the granddaughter of King Kamehameha. She held
them until her death,when her estate entered into probate and was ultimately
ordered by the Court to be sold, rather than to be retained by her heir. Hakalau-nui,
thus, slipped away from their ancient purposes and entered into the holdings of
foreign commerce.
Along with the lands went the memories of a significant ancient battle which took
place on these very shores between King Kamehameha's armies and the warriors of
Kahekili of Maui.
It is widely known today that Kamehameha, who thereupon confirmed the prophecy
that he would be a great warrior king, lifted the historic Naha Stone,which sits
outside of the Hilo Public Library. Less is known, however, of the circumstances
that precipitated his act.
The Reverend Stephen L. Desha,who published a series on Kamehameha Paiea and
his great warrior, Kekuhaupi'o, in his weekly Hawaiian language newspaper Ka
Hoku o Hawaii,wonderfully captured the story in the 1920s. Desha writes:
After the passage of seven anahulu periods during which time Kamehameha
arranged his battle divisions, he asked Kekuhaupi'o to accompany him to Hilo
Paliku...Chief Kamehameha's great canoe was prepared and he took his warriors
with him, a very wise act,because during this journey they were attacked by some
Maui people.
This was a great canoe which Kamehameha had prepared, and it carried almost two
hundred men on one double canoe. There were also some swift sailing canoes, each
canoe being able to carry fifty men with ease.
Kamehameha and his warriors left Kohala, followed by Kekuhaupi'o and some
warrior chiefs of Kohala. They sailed easily to land at Hakalau where Kamehameha
and Kekuhaupi'o and their people were entertained by Chiefess Keakealani of Hilo;
Princess Likoa; and Kahipa,the daughter of Chief K anekoa of Hamakua. She was
living at Hakalau with her female hoahanau in those days. This visit by High Chief
Kamehameha was a cause for joyous entertainment by these high chiefesses of Hilo
and Hamakua...
When Kamehameha arrived with his people at Hakalau, Kahahawai was staying in
the upland forest of Hakalau, making a canoe for his lord, Kahekili of Maui. With
him at that time was Kaihe,the "black [tattoo] of Kahekili," one of Kahekili's very
great favorites, who was a famous warrior against Kahekili's men."
Desha depicts in great detail the great battle which ensued here between
Kamehameha's army and the warriors of Kahekili, revealing that it was the seminal
event which led to the young chief being called to test his strength, and lineage, on
the Naha stone. "On hearing of Kamehameha's victory in this battle with the Maui
people, Chief Keawemauhili sighed, and said: "This is perhaps the bravery which
shall achieve the conquest of these islands."
This victorious fight led other chiefs to announce to Keawemauhili, "Indeed,your
words at the time of this young chief s birth were really correct,that this was the
appropriate time to pinch the tip of the mulberry. Now at this time, the branch is
hardened, and the tip of the mulberry cannot be pinched off. Alas for us in the
future. Perhaps the bitter fruits of the actions of this young chief will come, for here
in the dust of morning [youth] that one's extraordinary deeds are already apparent."
Like Kamehameha's later battle at Nu'uanu Pali,which helped seal his victory on the
island of O'ahu, his battle at Hakalau-nui was a pivotal moment in his ascension and
led to his greatest achievement, the establishing of peace,through the unification of
the islands of Hawai'i.
Here is the historic story of Hakalau-nui which I believe truly makes this space
extremely worthy of protection. Mahalo nui loa for your sincere consideration.
Aloha, Kehaulani Lum