HomeMy WebLinkAboutTestimony - Kau Forest Reserve public access Naalehu Hill Consolidation and Resubdivision Augustl8, 2025
Hawaii County Game Management Advisory Commission
c/o Mr. Leomana Turalde, Chair
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C, 2nd FL
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Re: Ka'u Forest Reserve public access,Na`alehu Hill Consolidation and Resubdivision,
Application No. PL-SUB-2024-000279, TMK: 9-5-008:001
Aloha Chair Turalde and Commission Members,
At its June 18, 2025 meeting, the Hawai'i Island Na Ala Hele Advisory Council voted to
recommend preservation of an existing public access to the Ka'u Forest Reserve through the
mauka area of Tax Map Key 9-5-008:001 involving the ahupua'a of Kaunamano, Kahilipali Nui,
and Wai`6hinu.
The landowner has submitted an application to the Planning Department for Consolidation and
Resubdivision of TMK 9-5-008:001, "Na`alehu Hill subdivision".
The public access is already established on the Pahala side of the subject property and on the Ka
Lae side through lands owned by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. Failure to preserve
would effectively remove this means for access to the Ka'u Forest Reserve through this area.
Please consider joining the state Department of Forestry and Wildlife and Na Ala Hele Advisory
Council in supporting the establishment of a public vehicular and pedestrian access easement
through the mauka portion of TMK 9-5-008:001.
Mahalo for this opportunity to testify,
Chuck Flaherty
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
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County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer,
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NA ALA HELE
awai°i Trail & Access System
August 5, 2025
To: Mr.Jeffrey Darrow, Director
c/o Planning Department
101 Pauahi Street,Suite 3
Hilo, HI 96720
From: Terrence Noda,Chair
Hawai'i Island Na Ala Hele Advisory Council
c/o Division of Forestry and Wildlife
19 E. Kawili Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Re.: Ka'u Forest Reserve public access, Na'alehu Hill Consolidation and Resubdivision,
Application No. PL-SUB-2024-000279,TMK:9-5-008:001
Aloha Director Darrow,
Please consider the following recommendation related to public access and PL-SUB-2024-000279,TMK:
9-5-008:001.
Recol"Tamaw'ndat ion
The Hawai'i Island Na Ala Hele Advisory Council (AC) recommends the Planning Department take
appropriate action to establish a public vehicular and pedestrian access easement to the Ka'6 Forest
Reserve through the mauka areas of the ahupua'a of Kaunamano, Kahilipali II,and Wai'6hinu.
The recommended alignment is an existing unpaved road that traverses the mauka portion of TMK 9-5-
008:001,as indicated in the satellite view map contained within this letter.
The Advisory Council's review
On December 11, 2024,the Ka'u Community Development Plan Action Committee held a meeting and
took public testimony on PL-SUB-2024-000279, Na'alehu Hill subdivision, Phase 1. The Ka'u Calendar
published an article the next day about the proposed Consolidation & Resubdivision (C&R)and various
concerns expressed by the public.
Members of the Hawaii Island Na Ala Hele Advisory Council (AC)were subsequently contacted by
individuals concerned that the public access crossing the mauka portion of the TMK and accessing the
Ka'u Forest Reserve may be endangered.
As a result,the AC placed the proposed C&R on the agenda for its June 18, 2025 meeting for discussion
and decision-making. The AC determined that the public was in fact using this access route and failure
Division of Forestry and wildlife Phone:808-974-4221 19 E.Kawili Street,Hilo,HI 96720
Department of Land and Natural Resources Fax: 808-974-4226 Email:jackson.m.bauer@hawaii.gov
to protect it via an easement would disrupt a traditional and customary access. The AC then approved
the formation of a subcommittee and authorized it to 1) research and document the alignment,and 2)
draft,complete,and submit a letter on behalf of the AC to the Planning Department with a
recommendation that a public access easement be established on the alignment.
About the N5 Ala Flele AdOsory Council
The Na Ala Hele Advisory Councils were established by Hawai'i Revised Statute 198D to provide advice
and assistance to the Department of Land and Natural Resources in implementing the Na Ala Hele
Program.
§198D-9(2) states, in part,that the AC: "Shall establish advisory councils to solicit advice and assistance
in the implementation of the trail and access program."
Mahalo nui loa for your consideration of this recommendation.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact at the AC's support staff,Jackson Bauer,at
Jackson.m.bauereh wak. ov or 808-974-4221.
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Cc: County of Hawai'i Game Management Advisory Commission
Ka'G Community Development Plan Action Committee
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