HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2024-05 Green Sands Beach LetterAugust 14, 2024
Mr. Zendo Kern
Hawaii County Planning Director
Aupuni Center
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Mr. Kern:
The Mahana Bay Coastline Access and Resource Investigatory Subcommittee (MBCARIS) of the
Ka’ū Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee was formed to address the
concerns of the Ka’ū community about protecting cultural sites and natural resources in the
greater Ka Lae area particularly regarding Mahana Bay. Increases in tourism and related
activities have led to increased degradation of the area, resulting in significant damage to both
the land and marine environment including sea life. Additionally, important cultural sites,
including sacred burial grounds and native Hawaiian trail systems and other sites have been and
are in further danger of being damaged or destroyed.
The Ka’ū CDP addressed these issues in response to input from a large number of members of
the community during the many information-gathering meetings during its formation. The final
CDP acknowledges the importance of preserving this area throughout the document as follows:
1. Section 4.6, Protect and Enhance Ecosystems, encourage the collaborative development
and implementation of resource management plans and the enforcement necessary to protect
ecosystems.
Section 4.6.1, Community Objectives, lists the following Objectives:
●Protect, restore, and enhance ecosystems, including mauka forests and the shorelines,
while assuring responsible access for residents and for visitors.
●Encourage community-based management plans to assure that human activity doesn’t
degrade the quality of Ka’ū’s unique natural and cultural lands.
Section 4.6.4, Advocacy:
●4.6.4.4, Department of Health. Require implementation of management measures to
prevent nonpoint source pollution.
●4.6.4.5, Department of Land and Natural Resources. Following the recommendation of
the South Kona-Ka’ū Coastal Conservation Task Force, dedicate at least one State
DOCARE officer to the Ka’ū District to aid in enforcement.
●4.6.4.6, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). Maintain the Ka Lae (South Point)
coastal areas and related infrastructure for recreational, cultural, education, and/or
scientific uses in a manner that is protective of resources and is consistent with the
Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and all applicable laws related to Native Hawaiian
rights and public shoreline access. (GP 8.3(c) & 12.5.9.2(d)).
Communication No. 2024-05
2.Section 4.2,Protect the Coast from Development.This section protects coastal areas
from development with the CDP Land Use Map,shoreline setbacks,the Special Management
Area,and encouragement to the State to strengthen protections and the community voice in
land use decisions.
●4.2.4.1 Advocacy.Following the recommendation of the South Kona-Ka’ū Task Force,
amend HAR 13-5-40(b)to require that public hearings before the Board of Land and
Natural Resources be held in the judicial district in which the land is located.
The MBCARIS has found two recent studies regarding management of the Ka Lae area,one in
2012 and one in 2016.The DHHL Ka’ū Regional Plan was adopted in 2012 by Hawaiian Homes
Commission.This plan prioritized two projects to be implemented by 2015:(1)develop
vehicular roadway(s)and pedestrian pathways within the coastal area of Ka Lae (to manage
access to Kaulana Bay,the fishing grounds at Ka Lae,and protect sensitive resources),&(2)
protect and preserve sites in Kamā’oa.Phases consisted of:updating the Historic Landmark
designation;developing a circulation plan;pursuing partnerships;developing signage and
educational programs;obtaining funding;and constructing roads,fencing,and educational
signage.The South Point Resources Management Plan (RMP),prepared for the Hawaiian Home
Lands Trust,was finalized in October 2016.This plan stated: This resources management plan
identifies specific near-and long-term management actions for lands held under the Hawaiian
Home Lands Trust located within the ahupua'a of Kamā’oa-Pu'u'eo,Ka’ū District,Island of
Hawaii.It is intended to guide future actions to steward the land and resources of this area."
Of particular interest is the concluding paragraph on page vii of the 2016 document."The main
near-term priority for DHHL is to gain site control by managing vehicular access."
The Ka’ū Action Committee has listened to the concerns of the community and have agreed
that action needs to be taken.This issue is very important to the people of Ka’ū,as our
environment,our culture,and our history is being destroyed by lack of action by responsible
agencies.We are asking that the Planning Department forward our concerns to DHHL,DLNR,
Hawaiian Homelands Trust,and any other agency that would have authority to act,and ask
them to formulate a plan of action with a projected completion date.
Mahalo for your kokua,
Ka’ū CDP Action Committee
Jason Masters,Chair
cc:Councilperson Galimba
State Representative Kapela
State Senator Kanuha
Governor Green
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Division of Land and Natural Resources
Hawaiian Homelands Trust