The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2026-02-04 HCDP Meeting Packet County of Hawai‘i HĀMĀKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720 (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742 C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Mayor Brad Kurokawa, Vice Chair Mahealani Maikui, Chair Ben Dalauidao Maile Lavea-Malloe Vacant Vacant Vacant Robert Nishimoto Tawn Keeney NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the following matters to be considered by the Hāmākua Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) in accordance with the provisions of Sections 92-3.7 and 92-7, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS). This meeting will be held in-person at the location listed in this notice and by Interactive Conference Technology (ICT) through Zoom. DATE: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 TIME: 5:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m. LOCATION: Honokaʻa Complex 45-541 Akia Street Honokaʻa, HI 96727 ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/i27mD2MgRFCi7tF872pdFg INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): A meeting held by ICT shall be automatically recessed for up to 30 minutes to restore communication when audiovisual communication cannot be maintained with all members participating in the meeting or with the in-person location identified in this notice. The meeting may reconvene when either audiovisual communication is restored, or audio-only communication is established after an unsuccessful attempt to restore audiovisual communication. If it is not possible to reconvene the meeting as provided in this subsection within 30 minutes after an interruption to communication, the meeting will be automatically terminated. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: The public may provide oral testimony at the meeting by joining Zoom or attending in-person at the physical location listed above. Although not required, to register in advance for oral testimony please contact staff at CDP@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8288. Pursuant to Section 92-3, HRS, interested persons who want to provide oral testimony may do so either at the time the committee takes public statements on the agenda, or at the time the specific agenda item is called. Please note that public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes in length per agenda item. In addition, although not required, to ensure timely delivery of written testimony to committee members, it is requested that written testimony be submitted by 4:30 p.m. at least two business days prior to the meeting via email to CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. When submitting written testimony, please specify for which agenda item written testimony is being submitted. All written testimony will be a part of the public record. AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES – The AC will consider approving the draft minutes from the December 3, 2025 meeting. III. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS – Pursuant to Section 92-3, HRS, interested persons who want to provide oral testimony may do so now, or at the time the specific agenda item is called. Public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes in length per agenda item. IV. BUSINESS: 1. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (DOT) Update on Roadway Safety and Hakalau Bridge Repairs – Hawaiʻi DOT will provide an update on roadway safety concerns on along Hawaiʻi Belt Road on the Hāmākua Coast, including the status of repairs to the Hakalau Bridge. Discussion and potential action to follow. 2. Letter Regarding Request for Information on Special Permit Process – The AC will discuss and consider submitting a letter regarding Planning Department’s Special Permit Process. Potential action to follow. 3. Letter of Appreciation Kawainui Makai Acquisition – The AC will discuss and consider submitting a letter of appreciation to Nā ʻĀina Kai regarding the PONC acquisition of the Kawainui property. 4. Letter of Support for Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) Nominations – The AC will discuss and consider submitting letters of support for the following PONC nominations: • Haina Makai • Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch in Oʻokala 5. Proposed Nīnole Community Hub (TMK (3) 3-2-003-006) – The AC will discuss the proposed Nīnole Community Hub and consider submitting a letter of support. Discussion will include additional information provided by Christy Toledo. 6. Election of Committee Vice Chair for 2026 – The AC will elect a Vice Chair for the 2026 calendar year. V. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – Public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. (Pursuant to SB 869) VI. THIRD-PARTY REPORTS; GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS – The AC may receive and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included in a publicly noticed agenda. The AC may only make decisions on matters originally raised by third-party reports from any government official at a later meeting, where the agenda for the meeting gives notice of decision-making on the matter. (Pursuant to SB 405) VII. PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS – AC members will discuss potential agenda items for the next meeting. VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS • The Planning Department is seeking applicants for the Hāmākua CDP Action Committee and requests assistance to get the word out to interested community members. The application can be found on the Mayor’s office website at: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions/boards-and- commissions-application IX. ADJOURNMENT NOTICE: This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Hāmākua Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public Document Repository: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/1/fol/109367/Row1.aspx. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. The recorded video of this meeting will be uploaded to the Planning Department’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cohplanningdepartment The purpose of the public hearings is to afford all interested persons a reasonable opportunity to be heard on the above items. A person desiring to submit oral or written testimony may indicate their name and whether the testimony is on their behalf or as a representative of an organization or individual. Written testimony can be submitted via email or hard copy. Hard copies should include an original and nine copies and be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. two business days prior to the meeting. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service, other reasonable modification, or language interpretation to access this meeting please contact the Planning Department at (808) 961-8288 or CDP@hawaiicounty.gov as soon as possible, but no later than five business days prior to the meeting date, to arrange for accommodations. If a response is received after the five- business days deadline, we will try to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but we cannot guarantee that the request will be fulfilled. “Other reasonable modification” refers to communication methods or devices for people with disabilities who are mentally and/or physically challenged. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawaiʻi County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist. (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai‘i County Code). A lobbyist means, “any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawai‘i County Code). Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk-Council, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720. HĀMĀKUA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE MAHEALANI MAIKUI, Chair Meeting Packet QR Code: HĀMĀKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4 December 3, 2025 5 CALL TO ORDER 6 Chair Brad Kurokawa called the meeting of the Hāmākua Community Development Plan (CDP) 7 Action Committee (AC) to order at 5:08 p.m. This meeting was held in person at the Pa'auilo 8 Elementary and Middle School Library and online via the Zoom platform. 9 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sklWi641ENs 11 ROLL CALL 12 Members Present (in person): Brad Kurokawa (Chair), p.m., Tawn Keeney, Robert Nishimoto, 13 and Ben Dalauidao. 14 Members Present (via Zoom): Mahealani Maikui (Vice Chair) arrived at 5:48pm 15 County Staff (in person): Maryam Palma and Jessica Lahip 16 County Staff (via Zoom): Kawelo Kalili 17 There were approximately eight (8) members of the public in attendance – (4) in person and 18 (4) via Zoom. 19 PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 3:33] 20 There was no public testimony at this time. 21 BUSINESS: 22 1. Proposed Nīnole Community Hub – Presentation by Christy Toledo on developing a 23 community hub at TMK: 3-2-003-006, which includes a gas station, post office, and 24 convenience store. Discussion and potential action to follow. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 25 4:48 & 1:33:56] 26 27 Christy Toledo provided a presentation on a proposed Nīnole Community Hub located at 28 TMK: 3-2-003-006. The proposed project includes a gas station, post office, and 29 convenience store intended to serve as a centralized community resource for Nīnole and 30 surrounding areas. Toledo described the project’s goals of improving access to essential 31 services, reducing travel time for residents, and supporting community resilience. 32 Toledo requested a letter of support from the Action Committee. Following discussion, the 33 Committee agreed to defer action on the request. Members indicated they would like 34 additional information on the proposed hub and requested that Ms. Toledo return at a next 35 HĀMĀKUA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of December 3. 2025 2 meeting with a more detailed presentation. The Committee also discussed the preparation 36 of a draft letter for consideration at the next meeting prior to taking any formal action. 37 Council Member Heather Kimball testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:38:35] 38 Meizhu Lui testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:44:12] 39 Tom Fratinardo testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:19:08] 40 2. Proposed Amendment to the Planning Department’s Public Notice Procedures 41 Update – Planning department staff will provide an update to the proposed amendment to 42 the Planning Department’s Public Notice Procedures. (See Communication No. 2025-02a) 43 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 30:16] 44 Planning Department staff provided an update on the proposed amendment to the Planning 45 Department’s Public Notice Procedures, which would expand public notification beyond the 46 legally required newspaper postings. The update included discussion of potential electronic 47 notification methods, as well as staffing and technical considerations associated with 48 implementation. Staff noted that both interim and long-term solutions are currently being 49 explored. 50 51 Meizhu Lui testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 40:12] 52 3. Roads-in-Limbo – Committee member Keeney will propose the committee prioritize 53 roadways where ownership and responsibility are unclear and hamper public access. 54 Discussion and potential action to follow. (See Hāmākua CDP Policy 49, page 71). SEE 55 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 45:57] 56 57 The Committee discussed the issue of roads in limbo, focusing on Mealani Road in the 58 Waimea area. Committee Member Keeney provided background on repeated efforts to 59 clarify jurisdiction and secure public bicycle access along the roadway, which is identified 60 in some records as a road in limbo. The discussion highlighted conflicting information 61 among County records, Hawaiian Homes (DHHL), property tax maps, and plat maps, as 62 well as prior legislative and engineering efforts related to emergency bypass planning. 63 Although a draft resolution was presented, it was withdrawn in favor of continued 64 investigation and coordination offline with Council Member Heather Kimball and relevant 65 agencies. 66 67 Council member Heather Kimball testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:00:57] 68 69 Meizhu Lui testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:00:19] 70 71 HĀMĀKUA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of December 3. 2025 3 4. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair – Discussion and potential action to elect a Chair and 72 Vice-Chair for the Hāmākua CDP Action Committee for 2026 [SEE YOUTUBE 73 TIMESTAMP 1:26:40] 74 75 Chair Kurokawa made a motion to nominate Vice-Chair Maikui for Committee Chairperson 76 for 2026. The motion is seconded by Committee member Keeney. The motion passed 77 unanimously. Vice-Chair Maikui accepted the role of Chair for 2026. 78 Chair Kurokawa agreed to serve as interim Vice-Chair for 2026 until a Vice-Chair is 79 appointed. 80 THIRD-PARTY REPORTS; GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 81 [1:47:07] 82 Council Member Heather Kimball provided legislative and programmatic updates relevant 83 to the Hāmākua district, including the passage of a single-use plastics ban, an update on 84 Bill 103 (Senior Farmer Tax Abatement Program), the proposed Wahi Pana designation in 85 Waipiʻo Valley, the Pepeʻekeo shoreline easement initiative, and the ongoing Hāmākua 86 Heritage Trail project, all of which involve coordination among multiple agencies and 87 community stakeholders. 88 Planning Department staff provided updates on the Falls on Fire contested case involving 89 Tepe Mountain LLC, noting that a hearing was held on November 13 and that the 90 Hearings Officer will issue a recommendation to the Windward Planning Commission, 91 which is expected to consider the matter in January or February, with additional public 92 testimony to be received at that time. Staff also relayed an update from Mass Transit 93 regarding bus shelter planning in Papaʻikou and Pepeʻekeo, clarified that the Kaʻahakini 94 Stream Bridge project scope includes Old Māmalahoa Highway embankment repairs, and 95 provided an update on the coastline setbacks project, including completion of GIS data 96 collection, ongoing policy development, planned public outreach, and anticipated 97 completion before February 2027. 98 In relation to the Falls on Fire contested case, Chair Kurokawa shared community 99 concerns regarding large festival-type events on agricultural lands, including potential 100 impacts to environmental resources, agricultural operations, public safety, and access, as 101 well as concerns related to compliance and enforcement. Following discussion, the Chair 102 indicated an intent to draft a letter based on relevant Hāmākua Community Development 103 Plan policies for the Committee to review at a future meeting. 104 PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA 105 There was no public testimony at this time. 106 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:07:42] 107 Vice Chair Maikui made a motion to approve the October 1, 2025 meeting minutes, as 108 requested by Chair Kurokawa, with an amendment to Line 85 to read: “The work is being 109 HĀMĀKUA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of December 3. 2025 4 treated as one project. Stormwater continues to contribute to bank erosion near 110 Kaʻahakini Bridge, and the embankment issue needs to be resolved sooner rather than 111 later.” The motion was seconded by Committee Member Keeney and passed 112 unanimously. 113 NEW BUSINESS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:21:45] 114 • Draft Letters: Ninole Community Hub and Falls on Fire 115 • Fire Safety (abandoned houses) 116 • Follow up status of Mealani Road 117 ANNOUNCEMENTS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:23:00] 118 • Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) installed at intersection of Highway 19, 119 Mamalahoa Hwy and Mill Rd in Pāpaʻikou. 120 • The Planning Department is seeking applicants for the Hāmākua CDP Action Committee 121 and requests assistance to get the word out to interested community members. The 122 application can be found on the Mayor’s office website 123 at: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions/boards-and-124 commissions-application 125 126 ADJOURNMENT 127 Chair Kurokawa adjourned this meeting at 7:34 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:26:08] 128 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Hāmākua 129 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 130 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning 131 Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 132 Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee January 27, 2026 Jeff Darrow, Hawaii County Planning Director 101 Pauahi St. #3 Hilo, HI 96720 RE: Letter of Support for Proposed Ninole Community Hub TMK 3-2-003-006 Dear Director Darrow, The Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee met on December 3, 2025. Christy Toledo, owner of the above reference parcel made a presentation to our committee to solicit input on a proposed commercial development on that parcel. The proposed project is for a community hub, a gathering place for the community to obtain services including a gas station, post office and convenience store. Input from the Action committee included continued community engagement to garner support for the project as well addressing potential concerns such as traffic safety. Market research is encouraged to ensure long term viability. Support for providing diesel fuel was strong to encourage fuel accessibility and convenience for agricultural purposes particularly. Overall, the Hamakua CDP Action Committee supports the project as it moves forward. As the County’s General Plan is currently being updated, the Hamakua CDP Action Committee urges the Planning Department to amend the Draft General Plan currently under consideration to reflect the rezoning of this parcel and perhaps adjacent parcels from ____ (planning please fill in-existing RURAL designation per current CDP may suffice for allow neighborhood commercial) to LOW DENSITY URBAN which would enable appropriate neighborhood commercial activity and services for such a community hub for residents and visitors. The following sections of the Hamakua Community Development Plan provide supporting rationale for our committee’s support of the project and our recommendation to amend the General Plan. Communication No. 2026-01 A. HCDP 3.13 Existing Policy - GP 14.1.3 (b) Promote and encourage the rehabilitation and use or urban areas that are serviced by basic community facilities and utilities. B. HCDP 3.13 Existing Policy - GP 14.1.3 (j) Encourage urban development within existing zoned areas already served by basic infrastructure, or close to such areas, instead of scattered development. Furthermore, Hamakua district GP 14.3.5.4.2 (b) notes “Suitable commercially zoned lands shall be provided as the need arises.” GP 14.3..5.3.2 (c) states “Do not allow strip or spot commercial development on the highway outside of the primary commercial area. The project parcel is in fact the location of the former Nishimoto Store. (Please confirm!) It is centrally located on Mamalahoa Highway in what is considered Ninole/Honohina “village” where the nearby post office and Honohina Hongwanji acts as a defacto community center. C. Policy 1 and Policy 12 - This effort provides an opportunity to demonstrate parcel level scale alignment between the GP Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) map and the CDP Land Use Guide Map. As our Hamakua community grow and change, these policies seek to align State and County (GP and CDP) land use with guidance regarding infrastructure, and appropriate commercial development. D. Policy 14 - As the project is refined it will be important that the developer consults with the community to ensure that preservation and enhancement of historic and cultural village character. This project provides an opportunity to bring the community together to envision how it wants to guide the revitalization of Ninole/Honohina. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, P H O N E A D D R E S S URL Mahealani Mai’kui Chairperson, Hamakua Community Development Action Committee Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee January 28, 2026 Jeff Darrow, Planning Director Hawaii County Planning Department 101 Pauahi St Hilo, HI 96720 RE: Request for Special Permit Process Reassessment Dear Director Darrow, The Hamakua Community Development Action Committee (HCDPAC) would like clarification on the Planning Department’s procedures for Special Permit Applications. The SPP-2024-000075 case brings to light challenges and raises questions beyond the specifics of that case. The desirability of Hawaii island and our state in general makes our lands and cultural uniqueness highly susceptible to commodification. This case highlights the difficulty of evaluating the appropriateness of unique non-conforming activities and development and their impact on our community, aina and culture. The Planning Department’s favorable recommendation of the Special Permit application seems to inadequately address community concerns regarding noise, traffic, neighbor, fire hazard and environmental impacts. Additionally, there seems to be some misalignment between the State and County’s regulatory process. Consequently, HCDPAC has the following questions: -Why be favorable to combined commercial and industrial uses into a single special permit on agricultural land? -If Hawaii County has the authority to enforce HRS 205-4.5, which specifically states that overnight camps are not a permissible use in the Agriculture District, why are applications like SPP-2024-000075 being given favorable recommendations. Communication No. 2026-02 - Why not follow the process of requiring district boundary amendments for uses not permissible in the State Land Use Agricultural districts, instead of continuing to give favorable recommendations to Special Permit applications in State Land Use Agricultural districts. - The County’s General Plan and Hamakua CDP documents have dozens of policies and rationale for protecting areas that are designated as Important Agricultural Lands. Why were none of these policies noted in the Planning Director’s Background Report? These challenges call upon us to reevaluate our current regulatory process and oversight for its rigor and thoroughness to best protect our aina, culture and community. Teppy Mountain LLC, the owner of the lands in question, has indeed purchased additional large parcels (800+ acres) in Hakalau. Without singling out Teppy Mountain LLC, there is the high likelihood of other similar requests for Special Permits by not only Teppy Mountain LLC but other landowners. It behooves us to thus examine and evaluate our current regulatory process to better prepare us for these inevitable requests on at least an island and if not statewide basis. Accordingly, the HCDPAC respectfully requests that you and the Planning Department hold broader discussions and examination of this issue and for those conversations to include all the CDP Action Committees, the Planning Commission and other community stakeholders. This would provide an opportunity to reassess our Special Permit process, its criteria and enforcement and how it would be better aligned with the State’s Land Use Classification system to guide our island’s future development. Respectfully, Mahealani Maikui, Chairperson of the HCDPAC on behalf of the HCDPAC Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission Division of Property Management County of Hawaii Letter of Support: Nomination of the property ‘Haina Makai’ to the PONC process for County of Hawaii acquisition The Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee enthusiastically endorses the nomination of the property described as ‘Haina Makai’, a 38 acre coastal property below Haina and Honokaa toward County of Hawaii acquisition through the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission mechanism. Such an acquisition would further the interests of the residents of the Honokaa and greater Hamakua area by availing the public of coastal access when such access is currently quite constrained. It further would ensure the access of the ﬁshing community to an important ﬁshing site situated on the this property which has been used extensively by generations of ﬁshermen and which is currently for sale, most likely to private residential acquisition. The proposal made in this nomination toward a vision of restoration of native forestation and culturally guided agroforestry, and serving as an applied learning experience for Honokaa High School is an excellent model leading to a generational enrichment of the Honokaa and area’s communities and environment. This property also is of historical and cultural value as described in the nomination papers, its proximity to the site of the Ka Loa heiau, now vanished, and its relationship to the storied William Rickard. The acquisition of this property by the County f Hawaii toward the values cited above is strongly supported by the Action Committee of the Hamakua Community Development Plan. ______________________, Brad Kuramoto, Chair, … Communication No. 2026-03 ATTACHMENT B - AMENDED Provide a clear statement detailing how public acquisition would fulﬁll one or more of the above resource values. Explain the intent, long-term vision, and/or strategy of this proposed acquisition or project. 1. Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches & mountains Recreation: A) Securing public access to a site on the Hamakua Coastline. The Hamakua coastline in the days of plantation management of the coastal lands was much more accessible than now. The lower cane haul road which runs 20 miles from Kukuihaele to Ookala and provided passageway to the coastal cliffs below has now been closed, and consequently ocean access points are rare. Any such access is over private land with 4-wheel drive and are known to a relative few. Between Laupahoehoe and Waipio, this property currently being nominated has one of the very few, relatively convenient, access points (4-wheel or all-wheel drive over approximately 1/4 mile) to the ocean cliffs. Thus, procurement of public oceanside access along this coastline of Hamakua should be a priority consideration for the County. Of the few complaints expressed by residents of Hamakua about their district, lack of access to the coastline is the one most frequently heard. From Honokaa, the nominated property can be accessed via Standard Oil Road (the diagonal road from the Hilo end of Mamane Street to the power plant below Haina), or through Haina itself. Two points of access onto the property then exist. The access at the top of the property leads to a dirt 4 wheel drive path through the center of the property to the cliffs. There is also access to the coastal portion of the property by turning onto the paved road below the old plantation mill A-Frame. Then after 100 yards one follows the gravel road on Hawaii Health Systems property down past the Honokaa Sewage Treatment Plant. One then turns onto a dirt Jeep trail across the coastal segment of the nominated property. If one does not turn down onto the Hawaii Health Systems gravel road then this road quickly becomes unpaved and leads after 3/4 mile to Haina Landing. Currently discussion is taking place between Hamakua County Council representative Kimball, Hamakua’s State Representative Kusch and Kamehameha Schools about opening the Lower Cane Haul Road to pedestrian and bicycle recreational access. If this should be successful, and Council member Kimball indicated in the last Hamakua CDP Action Committee meeting that she cautiously optimistic that this could happen in the next 4 to 6 months, then points of access from this road to the oceanside would be even more of a priority in that the coastline would be ‘in sight and mind’ but lack of access frustrating. This property lies somewhat midway along and below the 20 mile Lower Cane Haul Road (8 miles from the Kukuihaele end and 12 miles from the Ookala end of the road). Thus, this Haina property with its access to the oceanside could serve as the beginning or end of this potentially newly accessible (should it happen) cane haul road in either direction. Remarkably, this property has County water present and sewer line access potential, thus making a restroom facility available at either the beginning, middle or end of an excursion on the Lower Cane Haul Road if the road were to become accessible. B) Securing access by the ﬁshing community to one of the most used ﬁshing sites on the Hamakua coastline. This property contains on its coastal cliffs, one of Hamakua’s most frequented ﬁshing sites. The ﬁrm packed dirt of the cliffside grounds, with stanchions cemented in the dirt and rocks for ﬁshing poles, and the presence of a rustic table testify to generations of ﬁshermen using this site, which lies predominantly on the nominated property. In my approximately ten to twelve daytime trips past this site over the past 2 years, I have seen ﬁshermen there 4 times. As this undeveloped 38 acre property is for sale by its absentee owners with recent $500,000 price drop to now $1.9 million, it is likely that any new owners will build an upscale residence not far from the ocean cliffs, accompanied by extensive landscaping, much as has happened to the adjoining property to the east. Even if the public’s ﬁshing continues to be allowed, there will likely be a sense of unintended intimidation felt by ﬁshermen in such a renovated environment. It would likely make this less of a ﬁshing destination. Thus, saving this property in its unimproved form would be of signiﬁcant beneﬁt to the ﬁshing community. The name of this site among ﬁshermen is _________________. The ﬁshermen that I have spoken to about this site have expressed support toward the vision, elaborated in this nomination, of management primarily by a hui of environmental and cultural organizations, one of which might be a newly formed association of ﬁshermen from the area, partnered with Honokaa High School and others toward development of agroforestry (food-forest) and restoration of native forest on this property. C) Education. The vision which is proposed in this nomination is one which transforms this current landscape, one of Guinea grass and scrub-brush dominated low intensity pastureland, into restored native forest and culturally guided ‘food forest’ or agroforestry. The principal and Agriculture instructor at Honokaa High School have expressed enthusiastic interest in making this proposed transformation a project undertaken by students at the school in association with organizations offering expertise and experience in the proposed vision. Currently a number of HHS students in the agriculture classes receive college credit for work which they do in the ‘food forest’ cultivated by the Hui Mau collective in Paauilo on the coast. That project emphasizes Hawaiian cultural practices for food cultivation through community engagement, offering it’s bounty to community participants. Hui Mau has offered it’s guidance for this Haina makai project, though due to its extensive commitment in Paauilo it cannot assume Stewardship responsibilities for this nominated property. Likewise, the Kohala Center has an experimental garden in Haina, and has culturally guided agroforestry experience, and so could avail Honokaa School of guidance, but is unable to assume Stewardship of any new properties. Food forest would likely be a limited segment of the 40 acre project. More extensive in land area would be the restoration of native forest. This would need guidance from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife or one of their affiliated branches or organizations. Riley DeMattos from Forestry & Wildlife, DLNR, has indicated that he could serve as technical consultant with site visits perhaps 1x/month should the property be acquired by the County toward forestry as described. Alysia Fischer, official of Na’puu Conservation which contracts with DLNR for restoration of native forest at Puu’waawaa has expressed interest in the project and lives near Honokaa and could serve as informal consultant. Undoubtedly there would be interest and participation as individuals from the Honokaa/Haina community. The Honokaa High School principal has indicated that their Agriculture program or their Alternative Education Academy would be the likely residence of educational engagement in developing this property as forested areas. Whether college credit might apply, as is the case with the students participation in the Hui Mau project, would be a consideration. Interest in and encouragement for this proposed program has been expressed by the Hamakua Youth Center here in Honokaa, and thus might lead to some level of participation. However, the Youth Center students are generally younger, in the grade school and junior high range, and their participation in transformation of this environment might be limited to enjoyment. The Hamakua Heritage Center director likewise has been enthusiastic toward support for the image of public transformation of this property, and would be especially helpful in situating the property in its historical context. 2. Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites. Cultural remnants have been thoroughly erased by over a century of plantation Sugar Cane cultivation on the property. Currently this is intermittent pasture for cattle. It is the case however that this property and the adjoining areas do have cultural and historical signiﬁcance. This particular parcel was owned initially by William Rickard in Grant from the Kingdom. Mr. Rickard, storied owner of the elegant and historic Honokaa traveler’s inn/boarding house (now Salvation Army managed), served prison time for his support of Lilioukalani after the overthrow of 1893. Mr. Rickard’s grandson is now on the board of the Hamakua Heritage Center which has an extensive collection of Mr. Rickard’s writings and ﬁles. Going further back into veiled history, it is likely that the ‘old heiau’ marked on the accompanying maps of 1870 and 1880 represents the Ka Loa heiau, one of approximately ten named heiau in the Hamakua district, and only one of two that I am aware of to be distinctly marked on maps of the era. Several of this number are in Waipio and on the close rimland. Then the Malanahae, Kawela, Wawaimakilo heiau lie between Honokaa and Waipio. Then this heiau marked ‘old heiau’ on these maps is likely to be the Ka Loa heiau. The Manini Heiau once stood in the coastal area of Paauilo, perhaps in the Koholalele Landing area. This ‘old heiau’ (see maps), appears to lie a short distance from the east side boundary of this nominated property in a beautiful diminutive valley. It appears to lie on the boundary of this property itself in the maps from the 1800s, but then subdivision of lands after the plantation closed in 1995 seems to have located the Heiau’s site within the adjoining property but close to the boundary. Survey by the State Historical Division carried out two years ago, after these maps were pointed out to them, has not identiﬁed remnants of the heiau however. At that time, on this adjoining property there were multiple short remnants of stone ‘walls’ present close to the cliffs, but apparently of more recent origin. There was a large spherical stone perhaps 30 to 36 inches in diameter sitting on compacted ground constrained by 8 to 12” stones in a small circle under a tree at approximately 100 yards from the cliffs. The original heiau stones likely were removed for construction of a berm across the small valley of this east side adjoining property. This berm supported the rail transporting molasses/sugar from the mill to the Haina Landing where it was loaded on ships for California. It is too late that these sites and areas can be preserved, but they can be recognized for their historic signiﬁcance. The reference, ‘The Archaeology of East Hawaii’ states, “Two heiaus are known to have existed near Honokaa. At Honokaa (Haina) Landing on the top of the bluff was a heiau named Wawaemakilo. Nothing remains to mark its site except a few stones which may have formed part of the foundations. Thrum (65-c, p.41) describes another temple named Ka Loa as being about 100 by 70 ft, wider at the west end and with a platform on the seaward side. At the time of Thrum’s (1908) writing it was in ruins and overgrown. It is said to have been near the Honokaa mill on a slight rise on the Kukuihaele side of the tracks. I was unable to ﬁnd anything suggesting a heiau at this spot.” This description by Thrum certainly implies the site marked as ‘Old Heiau’ on the 1870 and 1880 maps. The ‘slight rise’ may be reference to the area of current boundary between the property being nominated and the adjoining property to the east. However this would make the description of the heiau being on the Kukuihaele side of the tracks somewhat incongruous with the old maps. Hudson (1930) writes of the culture and land characteristics of this coastal Hamakua area in his era in the following passages. “The population of these ahupua’a varied considerably. The 1839-1858 church records (Lyons 1839-1858) for some ahupua’a list over 100 names - for example, Honokaia (next to Haina ahupua’a, this property’s residence, to the west), Kawela, Koholalele - so, adjusting for post-Contact population declines, these ahupuaa may have had over 200 people at European contact. Other ahupua’a had very small lists of names and probably had less than 50 residents.” Hudson states “In speaking of the country around Honokaa, Ellis (1835) says “…We proceeded on our journey over a country equal in fertility to any we had passed since leaving Waiakea. The houses were in general large, containing usually three or four families each.” With the extensive writings and records (many boxes, as yet not indexed) from the era and pen of William Rickard in possession of the Hamakua Heritage Center and the Center’s interest in this project involving his property below Haina and his grandson’s membership on the Center’s board it is very likely that a detailed image of these grounds in that era could be reconstructed 3. Protection of natural resources, habitat or ecosystems. One must acknowledge that this proposal is one of restoration rather than protection or preservation. This property is now utilized as pastureland for cattle roaming freely across several adjoining properties. This nominated property is not fenced. Currently the property is dominated by Guinea grass, shrub brush, ironwoods dominating the low cliffs of the coastline and a modest gulch harboring invasive small trees and shrubs. There is no built structure. The Honokaa sewage treatment plant begins about 30 ft. beyond its west boundary. The towering and dilapidated old sugar mill A-frame stands about 100 yards southwest beyond the property’s upper west corner. The Hamakua Energy power plant resides between 1/4 to 1/2 mile to the west. Prior to the property’s use as pastureland the property was in sugar cane cultivation. There is no known evidence that this property was used as sugar mill discharge or disposal area, as was a property perhaps a quarter mile to the west, and thus it is less likely to be harboring toxic remnants such as has been conﬁrmed in that property to the west. It is unknown if soil toxicity studies have been performed, though this seems unlikely. To the east this property is bounded by 4 or 5 elegant residential properties of 10 to 20 acres each. Thus there is little in the way of natural resources, habitat or ecosystem to be protected or preserved. Rather than protection and preservation, our challenge here is restoration. It is the vision of this nomination that these natural systems be restored with commitment to native reforestation and culturally aligned ‘food forest’ development and maintenance. It is the vision that the furtherance of the educational programs of Honokaa High School will provide one mechanism for design and materialization of these natural resources, habitats and ecosystems. It is the vision that generations of students, and thus adults as these students mature, will be attracted to participate in maintenance of this natural world which they are restoring. There is ample experience and potential for guidance in nearby resources. A number of Honokaa High students currently participate in the cultural ‘food forest’ development occurring in Paauilo under the care of Hui Mau. It is anticipated that the Hui Mau experience will help guide the development of this Honokaa/Haina project in a manner of that which has been achieved by Hui Mau. DLNR’s division of Forestry and Wildlife will be consulted for guidance and expertise in native reforestation. This project has been presented to Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, a 501c3 organization which has achieved much in reforestation of the lands below Mana Road starting about 10 miles southeast of this proposed project in the area of Kukaiau. HLRI is also engaged in a reforestation project in the Hakalau area. It is possible that HLRI will have interest and participate in an advisory and consultation role. 4. Preservation of forest, coastal areas, natural beauty and agricultural lands Let’s speak of restoration rather than preservation. Reforestation of a 40 acre property may have only limited environmental impact. However, it should be noted that the coastal properties beyond this property’s west border belong to Hawaii Health Systems, operating the Honokaa sewage treatment plant, and then, on beyond, Hamakua Energy holding another 30 to 40 partially wooded acres. Beyond that lays Bishop Estate’s vast land holdings. It is suggested that these institutional owners might be receptive to native reforestation projects on their properties as well. Their properties are partially grazed by cattle, but also dominated by Guinea grass and scrub brush and invasive forest. Thus, those institutions would observe with interest a project of reforestation, both native and productive from the ‘food-forest’, on their boundaries. Thus this initial project of native reforestation here could initiate a generational project of reforestation along a much broader expanse of the Hamakua coast. It might be that even as County acquisition was achieved, proposal could be made to these institutions toward development of an upper Hamakua, coastal scale native forest and food-forest restoration. Again, Hui Mau and Kohala Center and the State Division of Forestry & Wildlife have offered their operational guidance, however, they are unavailable for administrative Stewardship responsibilities. It would be an organization such as Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative that could lead a project of that scale. HLRI’s experience has been with expansive mauka lands. It would be perhaps desirable in their eyes to begin with a small property such as this to conﬁrm their techniques at coastal management. Again, access to County water is a great advantage of this property. Perhaps the 40 acres under consideration could be seen as an ‘experimental’ forestation prelude capable of near limitless expansion westward. The preservation of the natural beauty and the coastal areas is self-evident in this proposal. The residential properties to the east are truly architecturally and situationally beautiful, each on their 20 or so acres. But gazing west from this property is the incomparable exhilaration of uninhabited coastline. This particular site on the coastal cliffs and access thereto, should belong to the ﬁsherman, to the public, as it has for generations. 5. Protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply From the forest comes the rain. And, it is the forest that holds the water after the rains. Reforestation is the fundamental proposal here. If the reforestation of this nominated property should lead to, or be accompanied by, the reforestation of the much greater expanse of institutional properties to the west then the 50 years of progressive drying along this coastline which I have been witness to, might possibly be reversed, or at least slowed. In the biggest picture, water and food is what this proposal is about. Again, 40 acres is of little consequence in this big picture, but it could be a testing ground, perhaps a beginning. It is notable that my contact with leaders of the several indicated organizations, the Youth Center, the Heritage Center, the High School, Hui Mau, etc. has quickly led to identiﬁcation of other individuals in the community expressing enthusiastic interest in the imaged project. It has been suggested by the director of the Heritage Center, and I completely concur, that a hui of interested individuals could be quickly organized and incorporated which would then be in a position to accept assignment as Stewards of this property should acquisition by the County occur in a timeframe perhaps a year from now. Such a group, guided by uniﬁed interest, could focus on identifying and directing potential resources toward the shared vision. Of course, it would be overly presumptuous for such a group to assume that the County would acquire this property. However, in the interim such a group could focus on courting interest from other agencies and organizations such as Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, Trust for Public Lands, Legacy Lands and Hawaii Land Trust. With the expression of support or involvement from those multiple resources, conﬁdence could be gained that the proposed vision would materialize. However, it is also the case that, should Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative have interest, which would require an expanse far greater, reaching on down the Coastline, their experience and expertise would present credentials worthy of assuming Stewardship in tandem with the image presented above. Attachment E 1) How would this proposed acquisition of project beneﬁt the general public? The public would beneﬁt by having assurance of access to the oceanside cliff-line in service to recreation. The ﬁshing community would beneﬁt by having access to the important ﬁshing site used by generations which lies on this property. If the current discussions between Bishop Estate and Hawaii County State Representative Kusch and County Council Representative Kimball regarding recreational usage of the Lower Cane Haul Road come to fruition then this property with ocean access from the road and restroom capability would create a desirable embarkment, rest stop or end point. The public beneﬁts by having a school program instill knowledge and care for the Aina in its children in addition to learning the skills necessary to perpetuate that relationship. 2) Describe any signiﬁcant historic, cultural, or natural resources on the property. A Coastal site on this property has been used for generations of ﬁshermen which should therefore be considered an important natural resource. The signiﬁcant historic and cultural resources have mostly been erased in the plantation era, however, recognition of the historical importance of the adjoining property to the east, as described above might be considered of importance. I can only hope that the new residents building a home in the vicinity of the ‘old heiau’ are treated with kindness. 3). Describe any signiﬁcant relationship to larger historical, cultural, and/or natural landscape. Again, this has been described above in Attachment B with accompanying maps, both current and as far back as 1870. Again, I emphasize that this property at one end of a natural landscape that stretches contiguously all the way to Kukuihaele. Thus, to initiate restoration of native forest and ‘food-forest’ here, below Honokaa, seems appropriate with long term vision to extend westward. Currently, the property is not fenced and there is cattle grazing as exists on most of the properties in this area. 4). Describe the level of urgency. This property has been ‘For Sale’ for one year however there has been a recent reduction in sale price by $500,000 to a current $1.9 million. The property is zoned Ag 40. Whether the sewage treatment plant on the adjoining property to the west or the prominent truck garage and outbuilding adjoining on the east side of the opposite boundary might be a modest impediment to sale is unknown. The wind pattern should carry any sewage fragrance away from this nominated property. 5) Describe any special opportunities for acquisition that presently exist. No special opportunities for acquisition are known. 6). Have partnerships with other government agencies or private or nonproﬁt entities been identiﬁed to leverage resources? [ ] Yes [ ] No [ X ] Unknown I am currently intending to discuss this potential acquisition with the Legacy Land Commission and the Trust for Public Lands and The Hawaii Land Trust. I have not yet investigated the deadlines for submission of applications to those entities. I will certainly keep the PONC Commission notiﬁed of progress. 7) Is the property available for acquisition? [ X ] Yes [. ] No [ ] Unknown This property is now listed ‘on the market’ and the Realtor, a Honokaa resident is enthusiastic about the possibility of acquisition by the County representing the Public. Of course, her obligation to the owner is to pursue possible sale whatever direction that might take. 8) Are there any covenants, encumbrances, restrictions, (association or maintenance) or easements on the property? [ X ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unknown There is an Easement for access to the East side coastal property across this nominated property’s mauka section on its east side boundary. The realtor will be questioned regarding covenants, restrictions or encumbrances. 9) Describe any known hazards on the property. This property contains a relatively short coastline. This coastline is comprised of a cliff sloping from probably 50 ft. above sea level to possibly 100 ft. above sea level. The area, perhaps 15 to 20 yards in length, used by the ﬁshermen seems well protected by a raised rocky boundary. However, all cliffs are dangerous. The upper cliff on the property has a spectacular view, but might be considered more hazardous, especially if wet. Investigation will be initiated as to whether the Plantation might have discharged toxic materials or ﬂuid onto the mauka section of the property. The initial presumption is that this did not occur as the well known discharge areas were properties west of this property by several hundred yards. It is unknown whether a toxic materials survey will need to be undertaken in light of the fact that the proposal in this application presumes the presence of youth working the earth. Letter of appreciation: Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden, Governing Board and Director, Charles O’Neill The Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee, representing the residents of the District of Hamakua on the Big Island of Hawaii, herein expresses our appreciation to the Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden, its Governing Board, and its Director, Charles O’Neill. Na Aina Kai, through the action of its Board and advocacy of its Director, has enabled the acquisition by the County of Hawaii of its property bounding the Kawainui Stream as it enters the ocean between Pepeekeo and Papaikou. For over 25 years this 80 acre parcel of unsurpassed beauty has been cared for with graciousness and benevolence toward the Community by its Na Aina Kai custodians, never a fence or ‘keep out’ sign to dissuade access from the foot paths that led into its beautiful stream, waterfalls and estuary. As a ‘steward’ of aina, Na Aina Kai is to be congratulated. That stewardship will now be passed to the Makahanaloa Fishing Association, a collective of over 150 members, ﬁshermen and their families residing in the Pepeekeo and Papaikou area. It will be under the administration of the County of Hawaii. This reﬂects the understanding that the important estuary and stream lying within this property is the spawning ground to much of the ﬁsheries of this coastal area. It assures that the property will continue to be cared for with sensitivity and respect. Much is owed to the previous caregivers, the Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, by the people of the Big Island, particularly, those of Hamakua. It is understood by those of us watching this process of transition that Na Aina Kai had opportunity to allow purchase of this property by investors from outside the Islands who had imagined the possibility of subdivision. Undoubtedly this offering was accompanied by a price which was beyond that which could be attained by the County of Hawaii. It is a testament to Na Aina Kai’s commitment to Aina and Community that the acquisition by County of Hawaii was allowed to occur. This letter expresses the greatest appreciation of the people of Hamakua for that commitment. Aloha, ____________________________, Chair, Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee ________________________, Representing the group nominating Kawainui makai toward County of Hawaii acquisition Communication No. 2026-04 PUBLIC OPEN SPACE & NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION NOMINATION - KAWAINUI MAKAI Attachment A 27-920 Old Mamalahoa Hwy 40.30 Acres 270110010000 TMK: 2-7-11:01 27-870 Old Mamalahoa Hwy 40.89 Acres 270100270000 TMK: 2-7-10:27 Link to County of Hawaii Real Property Tax Office Online Map Click here for Tax Map Key h27010 & h27011 for higher resolution. County Council District 1. Communication No. 2026-04a Attachment B KAWAINUI MAKAI “He aloha nā hoa o ka pali - la, Love to our friends among the cliffs, O ka waiʻau o Kawainui -la.” Those swimmers of Kawainui. Mailuhi, Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, 15 Aug 1863 “When I first visited Kawainui in 1985, I scrambled down the side of the valley as I was quite nimble in youth. There was a whole bunch of community kids swimming in the stream at the river mouth” Ed Johnston Pepeʻekeo Resident, Kahua Ahupuaʻa, Pers Comm. 2024. Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains The proposed purchase of lower Kawainui stream would preserve and allow enhancement of access to forests, streams, and shorelines for community recreation. These opportunities include swimming, fishing, walking, picnicking, paddling/sailing canoe, and sustainable gathering of resources like hoʻio (fiddlehead fern), as well as potential access to rich agricultural land and ʻāina based education areas. RECREATION: “6 Tons” bridge on Old Mamalahoa Hwy/Onomea Scenic Route is a well known swimming hole for the Onomea and Pepeʻekeo Communities. The 6 Tons pool is located just mauka of the North Parcel (01) via an unmarked but easily visible short trail on the property itself where there is room for about 3-4 cars to park. Visitors frequently stop to look at the historic wooden bridge and go swimming as well. ʻOhana picnic and gather on the stream banks running makai of the bridge on most weekends the sun is out and the stream is not rushing. The swimming area on Upper Level of the nominated parcels of Kawainui are is frequented by the community, including scenic access to the top of an estimated 50-60 ft vertical waterfall into the Large Mid Level Pool (about 150ft x 200ft ). Below this is another waterfall about 30-40ft tall into a the Lower Level Pool (about 160ft x 175ft) which after a short rocky divide leads to a massive ocean level pool with sandy bottom (about 700ft long to ocean x 140ft at its widest) where saltwater and freshwater meet as muliwai, and where the lapping of ocean waves can be seen upriver. These areas as well as the river mouth are all accessed via trails of varying conditions over the nominated properties. The diversity of physical features on the property add to its many uses for a broad range of community members. Uses of the pools and ocean entry beyond subsistence gathering include boating, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, swimming, and diving. Traditionally Kawainui was accessed as well by canoe and we envision a community space to revive that important cultural practice. Possible uses of the upper plateau if converted to a cultural stewardship area include forestry, agroforestry, and agriculture, as well as native plant remediation, cultural gatherings, camping and trails. The coastal scenic vistas along the pali provided by these parcels inspire awe and, paired with the natural beauty of the river, we can imagine use by visual artists such as painters and photographers. In the story of Hiakaloka, the chief Kulukuluua surfs - with throngs of his people - the surf break just outside of Kawainui stream.” Preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas, natural beauty, and agricultural lands FORESTRY: Approximately 50 of the 80 acres of these two parcels are planted with a Mahogany and Teak forestry operation, planted by Na Aina Kai circa 2008. Documentation & Valuation estimates of the Forestry operation should be forthcoming, however cursory remarks from the UH Forestry Department indicate a well planted operation and interest in establishing a UH Field Lab for students if the opportunity arises. Online information provides estimates of a 60 ft, 20 inch diameter mahogany tree at current 15 years of age at approximately $35,000 in processed material. Teak is estimated by a local Hawaii island Hardwood business at $55 per board foot (comparable to Koa due to its use, desirability and slow growing nature) and mahogany at $7 to $15 per board foot, depending on species and age. These local businesses often operate by coming onsite to carefully and selectively harvest, mill and market the wood, making it easy to envision a partnership that would allow the stewardship group resources and funds to maintain the property or offset the purchase price. Mahogany and Teak are wonderful building materials and also could be used on site for railings and traditional structures. We envision community stewardship operating the forests as a hardwood resource in transition to native species and agriculture, alongside native species remediation in the remaining Conservation zone along the riverbanks and pali that will ensure a verdant future for the people of Hawaiʻi. AGRICULTURE: The Onomea/Pepeekeo area where Kawainui river resides is characterized as one of exceptionally deep, rich soil, with abundant rain and running water and is therefore one of the top agricultural zones on the island. Agroforestry could be conducted in the understory of the open areas cleared by selective harvesting within the uplands. In addition to the opportunities provided by the existing hardwood operation, food based agriculture for the community could be incorporated, as the people of Hāmākua were once known for. In this area working with the forest was a traditional method of agriculture, namely the pakuikui style, where nitrogen rich kukui trees were mixed with ulu and other forest crops and native species for optimal growth and ecosystem balance. The revitalization of this method is part of a solid ongoing effort by neighboring organizations such as HuiMAU, the Ulu Co-op and Project Kanu. Healthy relationships with ‘āina using these cherished and invaluable traditions, as well as community partners, would be a guiding principle in preserving and promoting the agricultural and cultural character of the community. SCENIC VALUE/COASTAL LANDS: The proposed purchase and subsequent management of these parcels would protect and enhance the natural beauty and quality of this forest, valley and coastal area of North Hilo. Development pressures for large private coastal estates are high, especially near sandy beaches and waterfalls as at Kawainui. Community stewardship would work to preserve and improve the natural resources and spectacular view planes for present and future generations to enjoy, providing a lush safe haven amongst the mounting pressures to develop Hāmākua coast. The location of these parcels along the Onomea Scenic Route make them a natural addition to this route’s storied places of scenic interest, which serves as additional economic opportunity for nearby businesses in the area as well as the greater Hilo/Hamakua Heritage Coast. Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites HISTORY: The Kawainui Makai parcels are situated within both the Onomea and Kawainui Ahupua’a, and are connected to a larger historical context of the Onomea/Pepeekeo area. There are significant historical stories, names, and physical sites that would be directly preserved through acquisition and management of this ʻāina. Historically the Hawaiian people lived all along the valleys and uplands of Hilo Palikū. Known historic sites nearby in Onomea Ahupua’a include Papio Heiau (Thrum 1908), and Kumuohia (a boundary and kauhale where canoe makers lived in Onomea ahupuaʻa and most likely launched from the Kawainui River. Excellent fishing practices and mauka-makai land management is a storied tradition in this area, as Hilo Palikū was home to Pïna‘au who sparred with Ka-Miki in a famed riddling contest at the court of the chief, Palikū-a-Kīko‘oko‘o, covering knowledge of the whole island from mountain tips to the depths of the ocean, and descriptions of kalo (taro growth), the ala loa (trail systems), and nä mea lawai‘a (fishing practices) (Kepā Maly, Mālama Pono I ka ʻĀina, 2001). Kawainui and Onomea are also named in the kaʻao (oral tradition) of Laukaʻieʻie in which the god Makanikeoe requests of Hinauluʻōhiʻa to cover the cliff sides of Onomea with ʻōhiʻa trees. Until the early 1900ʻs, Onomea was referred to as Kalehua because of the famous ʻōhiʻa trees that covered the entire area. On the nominated parcels themselves, there is not much remaining on the upper plateau of the properties after the bulldozing by the sugar plantations for agriculture, however there are two separate kuleana parcels contained within the southern TMK 27 which should be a focus for archaeological survey. Possibly on the northern parcel was Kawainui Village. Within the gulch there remains terracing and rock walls along the south side of the stream, indicating a kauhale complex of agriculture and fisheries and the long standing value of this rich Kawainui river ecosystem. There appears to be a foundation with steps at the valley opening that is likely a halewaʻa (canoe house). The legacy of the sugar plantation is evident in the foundations of the old railroad trellis that delivered sugar across the coast. Cherished local families trace their lineages to this place, and the perpetuation of local traditions, Hawaiian values, and ways of life are deeply rooted in place based connection with this ʻāina and could be preserved in perpetuity through this acquisition. SUBSISTENCE: This ʻāina holds special value through itʻs abundant natural resources including fisheries, hunting grounds, native plants for gathering for lei, la’au lapa’au, and other subsistence uses. Kawainui makai remains a place known for its abundant aquatic resources that are fished by the areaʻs local lawaiʻa (fishers). The stream, estuary, and ocean produce prawns, hoʻio, āhole, moi, ʻamaʻama, limu, ʻopihi, and many other important food sources for local families, as it once did for those who lived in Kawainui village near this bay. This subsistence resource is particularly important for rural communities such as Pepeʻekeo and Onomea who have a large portion of the population statistically living below the poverty line. Preserving these community lifeways through public acquisition will help maintain this special place and these valued traditions in perpetuity. Protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply WATERSHED: According to the 2008 Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) Atlas of Hawaiian Watersheds Kawainui, translated as “The Big Water”, is a perennial stream running 29.7 miles with 8.9 square miles of associated watershed reaching over 4000 ft mauka with 67% of the watershed zoned Conservation. The stream overall scores well (8) against streams statewide factoring both watershed (forest land cover 9, wetness 9 etc) and biological rankings of Native Species presence, however the survey omits ranking the streamʻs lower reaches, including the estuarine and shallow marine waters as no Biotic Sampling has been conducted by DAR, only the middle and upper reaches. This is unfortunate, as the estuary, where mixing of seawater and freshwater from the river and tributary springs provides high levels of nutrients and aquatic life, is known to be especially productive by local fishermen. Estuaries are among the most productive natural habitats in the world, and the relative size and undisturbed nature of the features in lower Kawainui stream within these parcels are unique along the Hamakua Coast and Big Island. This, alongside testaments to the richness of the resources there and in the surrounding reefs and open ocean, speaks volumes to the biological value of this area and the need for it to be surveyed and protected. Kawainui stream scores a 0 on the Stewardship ranking by DAR, indicating a need for land and biodiversity protection that is vital to its overall well being. Community level engagement with this watershed is sorely needed for the protection of these mauka/ makai relationships to ensure the wealth of water for this and future generations. The 1990 Hawaii Stream Assessment ranks streams Statewide and indicates Kawainui stream as moderately in need of protection, following the larger rivers such as Wailuku, Honoliʻi and Hakalau based mainly upon biotic sampling. We have found precious little information available about the stream flow in the limited time for this application, as Kawainui is one of the many Hamakua coast rivers that was not sampled/had no gaging station to provide information for that study. To our knowledge Kawainui is the only perennial stream of this size to be nominated and no PONC acquired property has a stream of this magnitude in it. We feel this significant freshwater source must be studied further as part of its natural value. Protection of natural resources, significant habitat or ecosystems, including buffer zones NATIVE SPECIES: Native fauna and flora have found refuge in the hidden ravine and pools of upper Kawainui, which is home to one of the most pristine aquatic ecosystems remaining in all of Hawaii (Koa Timber Commercial Forestry Aquatic Organisms Study: Bishop Museum Hawaii Biological Survey 2002). The predominance of native species up river and relative reach of the upland forest downslope along the tributaries of Kawainui river towards the sea also enables a more intact mauka-makai corridor for native species to thrive. “A major finding of this study was the rediscovery of one population of native aquatic insect that was presumed extinct since 1971, the long-legged fly Sigmatineurum omega.” The 2002 Hawaii Biological Survey also states “The high percentages of native aquatic fauna found within the proposed project area, great densities of native aquatic species, and the high diversity of native taxa all indicate the aquatic habitats within the proposed area contain some of the best remaining examples of endemic native Hawaiian aquatic biodiversity within the archipelago.” Native aquatic animal species also inhabit the lower Kawainui Makai river on these nominated parcels themselves, including notably the increasingly rare, endemic & federally listed endangered species, the Orangeblack Hawaiian Damselfly (Megalagrion xanthomelas). Spotted there in a 1995 survey by the Bishop Museum Hawaii Biological Survey, it was noted that this was the likely northward extent of the somewhat salt tolerant freshwater lowland species that breeds along the terminal and lower mid-reaches of perennial streams there, while being extirpated from both Maui & Kauai, and near extirpated on Oahu. The study advises “this pattern of decline can perhaps be stabilized through protection of remaining natural habitats or construction of suitable refugia.” Also present in Kawainui (Division of Aquatic Resources Atlas of Hawaiian Watersheds) are the large neritid snail hīhīwai (Neritina granosa and all FIVE species of o’opu. Although abundant in North Hilo there is a relatively small area on Hawaiʻi Island and certainly in the State that contain watersheds with all five species of ʻoʻopu, of which four are endemic. “The few coastal estuaries exemplified by the Kawainui estuary are critical nursery habitats for coastal gamefish species.” Dr. Bob Nishimoto Retired East Hawaiʻi Biologist. Hawaiʻi State Division of Aquatic Resources Pers Comm. 2024 Critically endangered Hawksbill turtles are known to frequent this area to nest (Satellite Tracking of Hawksbill Turtles Nesting in the Hawaiian Islands, 1995), especially within the 5-10 mile radius of rich estuarine and black sandy beaches provided by Hilo Palikū. Reef and fish species differ greatly near this area as compared to just a few miles up the coast Northwards along temperature, streamflow and salinity gradients, but prudent management actions along the coast appear to have greater and more direct impact on the health of nearshore fishery communities than any of these factors (Akau, North Hilo (Hilo Palikū) Coastal Fishery Assemblages 2017). Within the valley and along the pali native ʻōhiʻa, hala, naupaka, kukui, niu, and ʻulu grow. The graceful koa’e kea and noio can be found nesting among the sea cliffs, and the ‘iwa can be found soaring above. The Hawaiian Hawk ʻio nest in the trees along the shoreline and the ʻaukuʻu (night heron) hunt the streams. Hawaiian Hoary Bat, opeʻapeʻa are also very present in the shoreline cliffs of North Hilo and have been observed at Kawainui. Preserving lower Kawainui through the PONC process would ensure that there is a better understood and protected ecosystem to house these treasured species. FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS: Due to the nature of agricultural use and desire to live along the coast, streams and gulches are often the last fragile refuge of remaining native fauna and flora in the lowland island areas, yet these areas are also highly at risk. For example, the neighboring Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden at Onomea Bay, as owned by Dan Lutkenhouse Sr, attempted to restrict Public access to the bay for over 2 decades from the 1970s thru the 90s. Simultaneously, the business bulldozed the ravine to create illegal dams, man made lakes, diversions of the Alakahi & Onomea river and more in itʻs quest to attract visitors with the allure of exotic and introduced species (Hawaii Tribune Herald, Botanical Garden to Create New Entrance, Oct 21 1996). Remediation of some of these issues was ordered by court after lengthy & hard won community efforts, but ecosystems are a complex web that are hard to untangle once disrupted. Also, we are not sure why or if related, but it seems Kawainui river is still diverted to create supplemental flow for Onomea stream (Kido, Baseline and Monitoring Studies of Onomea & Alakahi Streams, 1998). Also of note in the study of the Orangeblack Hawaiian Damselfly cited above, despite the species preferential river lowland and estuarine range (and population at Kawainui in those areas), the study found it conspicuously absent in that area within the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, yet found in the parcel just above the garden. Community members have linked this to the mass spraying of pesticides for visitor comfort such as mosquito prevention, but without more study we cannot know. Also nearby and more recently is Lyman Bay/Pāpaʻikou Mill trail to Glass Beach as formerly owned by Charlene Prickett and James Waugh, where the issue of Public Access has also been boiling nearly 2 decades to the present, leaving a sour note for many in the community with regards to the mounting push of private landowners to restrict access to treasured community resources, including those who would seek to study and care for it. To date, management of the nominated Kawainui parcels by Na Aina Kai non-profit since 1989 has focused on developing the forestry value of the parcels in Teak & Mahogany without active limitation of Public Access or significant development of the stream area. The community appreciates and commends Na Aina Kai for this. The rain follows the forest, and although native species such as Koa and ʻOhia, or canoe plants such as ʻUlu may have been preferential for a multitude of reasons, the area is now fully forested with tall mature trees, providing vital watershed and ecological services, such as buffer zones, alternative habitat for the native species such as birds and insects, and more complex understory succession and soil services such as carbon sequestration. However the non-profitʻs holdings also include an extensive paid-entry 240 acre Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden in Kauai, (including a large teak forestry operation) which strengthens the argument that development or restriction of Public Access might occur if held or purchased by similar entities in the upcoming sale. INTENT AND LONG TERM VISION: Since the fall of sugar, Hāmākua has slowly been developed. The shoreline in particular has transitioned from open fields to residential housing. With this shift have come many gates and fences that restrict customary access to what should be a shared space. The intent of this nomination is to preserve access to the lower reaches of Kawainui stream and enhance the parcel as a space for community to gather, recreate, learn and continue to aloha ʻāina. There has historically been casual stewardship, as community members take it upon themselves to clean up rubbish and debris along the trails, maintain the access points, and share local knowledge of the place with friends and families, including cultural programs and classes. Now facing access and ecological remediation issues from all sides, is the desire of the community to have a more legalized and concrete role to protect these resources from undue exploitation or unchecked use. As an extension of that community driven effort, Makahanaloa Fishing Association is willing to spearhead the stewardship of Kawainui with support from local community centered organizations. We are actively seeking other funding sources and collaborative organizations as well as expertise and resources to leverage into this proposed acquisition, including the opportunity offered by the forestry operation on these parcels to help offset the cost of purchase or upkeep of the property. The long-term vision for Kawainui is a community driven space that includes continued community access to the natural and cultural resources of the area, particularly the stream and shoreline, increased safety measures for the general public and visitors, and forest and shoreline resource management. Kawainui makai would need to be archaeologically and biologically studied to identify sensitive resources such as the possible presence of endangered species or historic sites, which would aid in the development of a comprehensive stewardship plan. We envision a more active forestry stewardship where selective harvest of the tree plantation would give way into more traditional Hawaiian agroforestry. Little fire ant and pig management would also be essential. Management of the existing natural resources would be based in the traditional reciprocal relationship of Hawaiian resource use whereby a community can aloha ʻāina and therefore may be fed from the source. With a robust and culturally appropriate stewardship framework, the Kawainui Makai parcels could provide an invaluable resource for the Onomea/Pepeʻekeo area, and the entire Hāmākua Coast. The opportunity provided by natural resource conservation alongside the economic engine of a functional forestry and agricultural project could provide much for this and future generations. There are additional concrete areas of environmental and community stewardship that we anticipate and offer in detailed outline within the draft stewardship plan in Attachment D. Attachment C: Letters of Support Included in Nomination Below Hawaii State Department of Aquatic Resources Heather Kimball - Current County Council Hāmākua Representative Na ʻĀina Kai - Property Owner Community Organizations and Individuals that can be contacted for further information Name Affiliation Email Phone # Kuʻulani Muise Community Member, Historian, Cultural advisor to the MFA kuulanim@gmail.com (808)936-2489 Edward Johnston Community Member, Historian, Led effort for Onomea Access aliapoint@gmail.com (808)896-0546 Dr. Tracey Wise President of Pepeʻekeo Community Association pagemenot@gmail.com (808)895-2593 Tawn Keeney Former chair Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee tawn@honokaapeople.com (808)937-7674 Phaethon Keeney Nominating Hui member and Author honokaapeople@yahoo.com (808)430-8396 Additional Letters of Support have been secured but are NOT included within the nomination due to questions of page limitation. These letters will be sent separately as Public testimony in support of the public acquisition of Kawainui Maka and include: 1.Valerie Poindexter - Former County Councilwoman from District 1 2.Lamalama ka Ulu - Pepeʻekeo based non-profit that supports Native Hawaiian health practices 3.Makahanaloa Fishing Association - North Hilo non-profit dedicated to fisher practices 4.Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund - Local Non-profit dedicated to wildlife stewardship and marine health. Alapai Ledward Director on BOARD of MFA and fisher Alapailedward@gmail.com (808)854-4207 Heather Kimball County Council Rep. District 1 (808)961-8288 Skipper Butts Community Member, Fisherman,Hakalau Paka wabutts12@gmail.com (808)936-3275 Ryan Okano Community Member, Lead Biologist for Dept of Aquatic Resources ryan.ly.okano@hawaii.gov Attachment D: Identified management/maintenance partners Pepeekeo Community Development Corp, Makahanaloa Fishing Association Hawaii Island Land Trust Onomea Resiliency Hub Lamalama ka Ulu Department of Aquatic Resources DRAFT Stewardship Plan Introduction The plan below presents a process to develop a comprehensive community driven stewardship plan of the lower reaches of Kawainui Stream within Kawainui and Onomea ahupuaʻa. Makahanaloa Fishing Association is willing to spearhead the stewardship of Kawainui with support from community centered organizations such as the Pepeʻekeo Community Development Corporation (formerly the Pepeʻekeo Community Association), the County of Hawaii, and the State Department of Aquatic Resources. The long-term vision for Kawainui would include continued community access to the natural and cultural resources of the area particularly the stream and shoreline, increased safety measures for the general public and visitors such as signage, and forest and shoreline resource management. We see Kawainui as a community driven space that fosters a sense of aloha ʻāina and continues to feed our ʻohana both spiritually and physically. There are some concrete areas of environmental and community stewardship that the Makahanaloa Fishing Association anticipates and offers in detailed outline within the following sections. Community consultation, mapping, planning · Conduct community focused group meetings to gather input for the vision and scope of restoration and management and community use of the area. · Identify a core group of stakeholders to establish a land advisory council for continued stewardship. This group should certainly incorporate descendents of the area, kūpuna, and residents of the immediate and surrounding areas. · Gather data, identify themes, and report back to the community · Survey the area to develop a detailed map of natural and cultural resources including endangered plant and animal species and significant habitats, historic structures for preservation, and proposed spaces in line with the community vision · Develop stewardship plan in detail and budget incorporating feedback from the community meetings, land advisory council, the County and other relevant government agencies. Managed Access and Safety · Identify and maintain historical accesses through ongoing maintenance. This includes maintenance of trails and mowing of grass. · Manage community access for natural or cultural stewardship and recreation. · Identify possible community safety hazards including parking issues, visitor traffic safety and dead or fallen debris. · Create and install signage in collaboration with relevant government agencies i.e. signage to inform visitors of the hazards of swimming in unknown waters. Restoration and Management of Native Ecosystems, Forests, and Fisheries · Develop fisheries and planting recommendations to incorporate into stewardship plan · Clean up rubbish along the stream and uplands section. · Install fencing around the 50 acres of uplands to limit pig damage. · Identify and improve native plant habitats. · Pig control within the valley through active trapping. · Control of invasive Little Fire Ant (LFA) infestation · Host community Aloha ʻĀina days to build relationships to place through active stewardship. Activities could include removal of invasive plants, native plant restoration and agroforestry. · Forest stewardship including selective harvest of mahogany and teak for use onsite · Increased agroforestry using Hawaiian traditions such as the pakuikui planting method to restore soil health and feed the community. Attachment E 1) How would the general public benefit from this proposed acquisition or project? “From the earliest days, streams were among the most important natural resources sought after by native Hawaiians.” State of Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources Our goal with the proposed PONC purchase of Kawainui Makai is community strengthening of the Onomea/Pepeekeo area, Hilo/Hāmākua Coast, and Island as a whole through prudent natural resource stewardship and connection to ‘āina, local culture, and traditional ways of life. As supported by the Hāmākua CDP, public purchase of the land would legalize community access to river, ocean and beach while protecting traditional subsistence and recreational uses alongside remaining historic sites, trails and scenic vistas. It would prevent uncontested private development and unchecked use of an irreplaceable and storied natural ecosystem, and provide cultural and educational opportunities for many, including stewardship of an impressive forestry operation and rich agricultural lands. By creating a space to connect the community back to the land to maintain and improve these parcels, we also strengthen ties to the ‘āina and connectedness throughout the community, promoting cultural awareness and the agricultural heritage of the area. There are no PONC acquisitions within the Hilo district and so the public would be well served to have public spaces within those areas. Of special interest is one that assures ocean, river and beach access on what is otherwise a rugged coast dominated by cliffs. The two Kawainui Makai parcels extend for about half a mile along the Coastline below the Scenic Route, and are part of an important cultural corridor connecting the Hilo/Hāmākua Heritage Coast, and we should work to preserve and restore the beloved Hilo Palikū or Kalehua of lore. Although no longer dominated by ancient ʻOhia groves, these parcels are fully forested providing vital watershed and ecological services, and have somewhat escaped the pressures of development and public access restriction that have befallen several of the nearby areas of interest, where there is mounting pressure to develop by outside interests for private or monetary gain. From the obvious issues such as building recreational, administrative, housing or parking developments to the more nuanced, such as use of floodlights that disrupt native bird flight or nesting, or use of fertilizers and pesticides disrupting the life cycles of endangered species, it is easy to see how private ownership of sensitive parcels could be a problem. The “private owner” is often less informed than the broader local community, especially new landowners from out of state, and stewarding these fragile native ecosystems as a group decision with the community involvement of folks who know and love the area is often a superior decision making process for conserving the natural resources of Hawaiʻi. Even the absent private landowner can be an issue, for example as invasive species are allowed to multiply or other other unchecked maintenance issues build. A large gap exists in our local knowledge of critical stream ecosystems in many areas and scientists too treasure these public spaces, as they are often intentionally or inadvertently excluded by private landowners from areas of interest as well as the larger public, we wonder if the limited stream sampling along the Hāmākua coast has something to do with this. Under current legislation scientific study of any stream ecosystem can be refused by private landowner, unless the stream is publicly owned or there is an existing public access to the stream. Public acquisition of these properties surrounding and including Kawainui Stream would be potentially significant to the advancement of knowledge of stream ecosystems in Hawaiʻi. It's important to have an informed, invested and vigilant community involved with local natural resources, for example the presence of stewardship groups is factored in by DAR and in ranking the overall health and vitality of critical watershed areas. In addition to the wealth of water and critical ecosystem services these shared resources represent, the public would be well served in preventing repeat of the unfortunate history of nearby areas and decades long community fights, as this would save much time and money spent on expensive political and judicial processes to restore access as well as remediate ecological damage done by development for commercial gain. This is time and money our community has less and less of when faced with the influx of outside interests. We hope that through public preservation of these parcels, the community would gain an invaluable asset that will amplify the beauty, natural, cultural and economic wealth of Hawaiʻi nei for generations to come. 2) Describe any significant historic, cultural, or natural resources on the property Kawainui 1920 “Lana mai nei kahi manaʻo The memory rises ʻo ka ʻike aku iā Onomea… Of looking out over Onomea, Kuu wahine I ka wai e Kawainui Of you, my beloved, in the waters of Kawainui, Aloha ia wahi a kāua e hele ai.” that cherished place where would go. - David Kapule, Ko Hawaii Pau Aina, 20 Sep 1879 Situated at the junction of the ahupuaʻa of Kawainui and Onomea, between the Pepe’ekeo and Papaikou communities is a spectacular section of the Kawainui River that is home to a series of easily accessible verdant waterfalls with Olympic sized pools and a rocky beach ocean access, along what is otherwise the mostly inaccessible pali cliffline. The river mouth is wide enough to be accessed from the ocean via small boat or canoe, while by land the river and ocean access are bound on either side by (2) Teak and Mahogany plantations included in the plateau of the parcels. Through these parcels the community has historically enjoyed relatively unhindered access from both the North and South side to the river, including fishermen, Hawaiian cultural practitioners, hikers, waterfall and outdoor enthusiasts, swimmers, divers and surfers. The nominated parcels fall within the Ahupuaʻa of Kawainui and Onomea and are connected within a larger historical context to the Onomea/Pepeekeo area whose cliff-lines and nearshore areas are very storied places. The shoreline areas of Kawainui and Onomea are named in one of Hawaiiʻs most treasured kaʻao, or traditions, which is the epic of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, in which the goddess Hiʻiaka traversed through Onomea and Kawainui on her northward journey to Kauaʻi. Furthermore because both Onomea and Kawainui were inhabited there are still living descendants in the area that would benefit from public preservation. ʻOhana names include the Waiki, Kanakaokai, Kauhane, Kalainawai, Hapuku, Waiki, DeMello, Godsey, Hanohano, Hendricks, Thomson, Haina, and Puuomoeawa ʻohana. The abundance and uniqueness of the cultural and natural resources located with the nominated parcels is well described in attachment B. 3) Describe and include maps showing any significant relationship to larger historical, cultural, and/or natural landscape. (i.e. corridor, agricultural field systems, conservation strategy, etc.) There are no abutting properties that have been designated for conservation or owned by an organization that is in line with the spirit of the PONC fund. This nomination does fit well within the larger community priorities as outlined in the 2018 Hāmākua Community Development Plan (HCDP Ordinance No. 2018-078). The Hamakua CDP was composed after a 5 year period of study including over 17,000 community comments and multiple community meetings and focus groups throughout the Hamakua district. The Hamakua CDP Action Committee is likely to address endorsement of this PONC Nomination of Kawainui Makai in mid February. See below for relevant sections of the Hamakua Community Development Plan. HAMAKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN SECTION 4: PROTECT AND ENHANCE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES Ola I ka wai ka ʻōpua - Rain gives life 4.1 Expand the Local System of Preserves This section of the CDP guides the expansion of lands held in public trust, supports landowners establishing conservation and agricultural easements and using agricultural and forestry land preservation programs, and encourages Natural Area Reserves to pursue acquisition priorities. 4.1.1 Community Objective Objective 1: Protect, restore, and enhance watershed ecosystems, sweeping views, and open spaces from mauka forests to makai shorelines, while assuring responsible public access for recreational, spiritual, cultural, and sustenance practices. Objective 2: Protect and restore viable agricultural lands and resources. Protect and enhance viewscapes and open spaces that exemplify Hāmākua’s rural character. Objective 3: Encourage community-based collaborative management plans to assure that human activities are in harmony with the quality of Hāmākua’s unique natural and cultural landscape. Objective 4: Protect and nurture Hāmākua’s social and cultural diversity and heritage assets, including sacred places, historic sites and buildings, and distinctive plantation towns. 4.1.2 County Action Through the strategic and collaborative use of the resources identified in Appendix V4A, the County should: ●Identify and secure in public trust (fee simple or by easement) priority lands that achieve one or more of Hāmākua’s Objectives. ●Seek to use conservation easement or acquisition opportunities through funding sources such as PONC, etc., once critical habitat areas are identified as priorities to protect. ●Seek to protect with easements or acquire suitable important coastal lands that would protect viewsheds, provide the public with access to scenic viewing areas, or otherwise promote appropriate coastal recreation and subsistence. ●Support the efforts of landowners in establishing conservation and agricultural easements to preserve important resources in perpetuity 4) Describe level of urgency PROPERTY TO BE LISTED FOR SALE VERY SHORTLY: The Kawainui Makai parcels are very shortly to be listed on the market for sale. Correspondence with property owners, Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, reveals no interest in providing a Public easement to Kawainui and that the property owners intend to put the parcels on the open market very soon. The sale of these Kawainui lands to an out of state landowner who may or may not allow access is fairly likely.. The history (Hawaii Tribune Herald, ʻTrail Acquisition Droppedʻ Jan 19 2022) and recent sale of land surrounding Papa'ikou Mill Road Black Sand Beach (2022, $8.3 million dollars to Brian Clark of Malibu) and the reality the community lived with for nearly 20 years when access was blocked at adjacent Onomea/Kahali'i by Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is evidence of this likelihood. This urgency of sale is coupled with the extensive use of the lower stream and ocean access by the surrounding community. Kawainui is a treasured community space that is a critical fishery, local swimming area, and cultural site. Please ensure the community has a chance to preserve this possible acquisition by the County of Hawai'i. 5) Describe any special opportunities for acquisition that presently exist. (Special funding available, etc.) These TMKs have been owned by the same owner since 1989. This pending listing represents a special opportunity to preserve this ʻāina under the PONC fund. The nominating group has informed the owner of the community's interest in preserving the land. The owner has sent a letter of intent to sell (see Attachment C). 6) Has partnering with other government agencies, private or nonprofit entities to leverage resources? If yes, please describe Charlie Anderson, PB (RB 17210) Hawaii Pacific Brokers, LLC (RB 20214) has agreed to work with the landowner in facilitating the sale for conservation, in explaining the PONC process and finding opportunities to make it work. The nominating hui is actively seeking additional resources to assist in the purchase including the Hawaiʻi Islands Land Trust, State Legacy Lands, State Department of Forestry, UH Hilo (Forestry), Hawaii State Department of Aquatic Resources, as well as several private landowners. Additionally there are several Non-profits and Non governmental organizations that are based in North Hilo committed to collaboration on the stewardship and purchase of lower Kawainui including Makahanaloa Fishing Association, Pepeʻekeo Community Development Corporation, the Onomea Resiliency Hub, Hui Aloha ʻĀina Hilo Chapter and Lamalama Ka Ulu. 7) Is/Are the property(s) or property easement(s) available for acquisition? Properties will be placed on market/available for acquisition soon. Owner is willing to sell to any capable purchaser. (See Below). The landowner, Na ʻĀina Kai, has been supportive of this nomination in allowing the community to tour the property and giving information with which to explore the option of public purchase. The owner has sent a letter of intent to sell (see Attachment C). 8) Are there any covenants, encumbrances, restrictions (i.e., association or maintenance), or easements? If yes, please describe. There are no community association dues on these properties. The properties are under a dedicated agricultural exemption for tax purposes and are within the County Agriculture Property Class. Coastal portions of the properties do lie within the County Special Management Area (see figure right). Additionally the Hawaiʻi State Land Use Designations are agricultural for the uplands of the property and conservation for the river valley and shoreline pali. Neither the TMK maps registered with the County nor the property deeds registered with the State Bureau of Conveyances show any documented easements. There are two unclaimed kuleana parcels on TMK 27 (See plat maps in Attachment A). 9) Describe any known hazards on the property (i.e., flooding, lava hazard zone, mudslides, etc.) Flood Zone X - Minimal flooding except within river area. Lava Zone 8. Pali and Valley contain Clifflines, Steep trails. Little Fire Ants are present. Good quality pics available via this link. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CLsQ- o6JKSuBd9I6XNf8PUBHfsjJD0x8 Sources Cited and Additional Information 1.Division of Aquatic Resources Home Page https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/habitat/about-streams/cultural- importance/ 2.County of Hawaii Real Property Tax Office Online Map https://qpublic.schneidercorp.com/ Application.aspx? AppID=1048&LayerID=23618&PageTypeID=1&PageID=9875&KeyValue=270100270000 3.Tax Map Key h27010 & h27011 https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/resources/tax-maps-tmk-maps/- folder-3008 4.Na ʻAina Kai Botanical Gardens website: https://naainakai.org/ 5.Google Earth Search Kawainui Stream https://earth.google.com/ 6.Hawaii Statewide GIS Portal: Ahupuaʻa https://geoportal.hawaii.gov/datasets/ahupuaa/explore? location=19.817861%2C-155.099478%2C15.99 7.Bishop Museum Hawaiian Archaeological Survey (HAS) Database, Thrum 1908 http:// data.bishopmuseum.org/HAS2/index.php?b=d&ID=6212&r=s 8.Kepā Maly, Mālama Pono I ka ʻĀina, 2001 http://www.drylandforest.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ HwnCultrlLandscapeMaly.pdf 9.Division of Hawaii Aquatic Resources Hawaii Watershed Atlas DAR Kawainui Hawaii Code 82043 https:// www.hawaiiwatershedatlas.com/watersheds/hawaii/82043.pdf 10.Hawaii Stream Assesment 1990 https://files.hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm/publishedreports/R84_HSA.pdf 11.Aquatic Organism Study for the Koa Timber Commercial Forestry Operation South Hilo District, County of Hawaii 2002 http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/pdf/koatimber.pdf 12. The Orangeblack Hawaiian Damselfly, Megalagrion xanthomelas (Odonata: Coenagrionidae): Clarifying the Current Range of a Threatened Species 1995 http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/pdf/op45-30-53.pdf 13.Division of Forestry & Wildlife Native Ecosystems Protection & Management: Pinapinao https:// dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/hip/species/pinapinao/ 14.Satellite Tracking of Hawksbill Turtles Nesting in the Hawaiian Islands 1995 https://georgehbalazs.com/ wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Balazs_etal_ConfProc_p279_2000.pdf 15.Kido, Michael H, The Bioeconomics of Stream Management in Hawaii https://www.hawaii.edu/hsrc/home/ bioecon.htm 16.Kido, Michael H, Baseline and monitoring studies of Alakahi, and Onomea streams, Hamakua Coast, Hawaii. https://www.hawaii.edu/hsrc/home/onomea1.htm 17.Clip Folder: Access Issues Hawaii Tribune Herald, Botanical Garden to Create New Entrance, Oct 21 1996 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dtzgbgjydjN48LHfGg7iQRRmqwHVVLOv?usp=drive_link 18.West Hawaii Today County Again Seeks Eminent Domain Oct. 11 2020 https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/ 2020/10/11/hawaii-news/county-again-seeks-eminent-domain-for-papaikou-mill-beach-access/ 19.Hawaii Tribune Herald Trail Acquistion Dropped Jan 19 2022 https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/ 2022/01/19/hawaii-news/trail-acquisition-dropped-official-county-would-gain-very-little-by-fighting-to- obtain-path-to-papaikou-beach/ 20.Hawaii County Hamakua Community Development Plan Ordinance 2018-078 https:// www.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showdocument?id=305702&t=638088491805867283 21.Akau, North Hilo (Hilo Palikū) Coastal Fishery Assemblages https://dspace.lib.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/ bitstreams/81542a35-99c1-4684-9262-80a473541fd9/conten PUBLIC OPEN SPACE & NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION NOMINATION - KA’AWALI’I GULCH Attachment A: Provide a Tax Map Key Plat map and a property map with the property boundaries and/or proposed access outlined or highlighted. 36-2850 HAWAII BELT ROAD OOKALA, HI 96774 County Council District 1. Asking price includes: 3-3-6-5-15 (13.68 acres) Driveway, Main house, Pool, Valley 3-3-6-5-14-2 (13,852 sf) CPR Small triangle house+ parking 3-3-9-1-17 (4,182 sf) strip of land (pumphouse oil pipe) TMK Maps of interest 36001 & 36005 Real Property Tax Office Online Map Good quality pics link. Attachment B SUMMARY & BACKGROUND: The proposed purchase of Ka’awali’i stream and beach at the makai foot of Humuʻula Ahupuaʻa would preserve and allow enhancement of access to forests, streams, and shorelines for community recreation and education. These opportunities include swimming, fishing, hiking, picnicking, surfing, and sustainable gathering of resources, as well as potential access to rich agricultural land for planting, water resources and ʻāina based education areas. Laupahoehoe Charter Schoolʻs Nonprofit arm Hui Kakoʻo O Laupahohoe has expressed their desire to lead this stewardship, in partnership with Laupahoehoe Train Museum (who steward the Ookala Community Forest on State lands adjacent), and others invited to join as available. With Hui Kakoʻo O Laupahoehoe as leads to steward this important ocean access, agricultural land, and stream, we can ensure conscientious and pono community use of this important valley for future generations. 1 Communication No. 2026-05 2 IMPORTANCE OF THE AREA & MAUKA MAKAI CORRIDOR “In the region traditionally known as Hilo Palikù-Hilo of the upright cliffs (now known as North Hilo), the lowland region in places like Waipunalei, Laupähoehoe and Maulua, extending from the shore to around the 3,000 foot elevation, supported residential and agricultural activities, spanning centuries of Hawaiian residency. The upper forest regions … were frequented by travelers, collectors of natural resources, and for a wide range of cultural practices”…. “A system of trails, running mauka-makai (between mountains and shore), a near-shore trail (the ala loa), and trails skirting the upper forest region were established as well. By the time of westerners recording travel between the shore of Laupähoehoe and the upper mountain lands, the Laupähoehoe-Waipunalei Trail had become the primary route of travel, with other trails only known to native residents of the land.” (Hilo Palikū - Kepa Maly 2006, Page18) Along with Laupahoehoe point, Kaʻawaliʻi beach was a coastal nexus of freshwater supply, lowland farming, fishing and ocean access for sustenance with the Waipunalei trail, the primary mauka-makai corridor that connected the coastal Ala Loa to the forests and uplands of Humuʻula Ahupuaʻa, Kaohe and Mauna Kea. As seen in this 1859 map it was also a “shortcut” from Hilo/Laupahoehoe to Waimea and port of Kawaihae (see. Kaʻawaliʻi gulch is sited at the boundary of Waipunalei Ahupuaʻa in this 1875 map, itʻs smaller land division of Kahoahuna/Paʻana not noted. The Waipunalei trail runs up the plateau, allowing fish, maia, kalo, sweet potatoes etc to go upland to Mauna Kea, and adze, birds, and the famed koa of its slopes for canoes, etc to go down to the shore for village & wider island needs. Humu`ula is named for a type of stone (red jasper) used to make ko`i or adze. This thoroughfare and significant resources shaped island history, as Kepā Maly details in several in-depth historical studies of the area cited throughout this document. “The Waipunalei-Laupähoehoe and ‘Umikoa trails also converge in Ka‘ohe Ahupua‘a and run up to the summit of Mauna Kea. It was via this trail that ceremonial pilgrimages were made, that adze makers traveled to the Keanakäko‘i quarries, and that travel to the upper mountain lands was done to accomplish personal family matters—such as the burial of loved ones and the hiding of the piko (umbilical cords) of newborn children. Elder kama‘äina recall that through the early 1900s, Hawaiians traveled to selected areas of the Hilo and Hämäkua forests to search out trees adequate for canoes to be used in fishing.” (Hilo Palikū - Maly, Page 32) “From the time of ‘Umi (ca. 1520), through the time of Kamehameha I’s battles (ca. 1780s-1790s), the rich koa forests were frequented by canoe makers under chiefly and priestly direction, and great fleets of canoes were made to supply the needs of the chiefs in their efforts to build their kingdoms.” 3 Original Belt Road – The 1898 annual report by the Hawai'i Minister of the Interior details the completion of the road “…from Kiilau bridge through Laupāhoehoe to Ka'awali'i gulch, making one of the finest sections of road on the Island.” (Hilo Palikū - Maly, Page 8) Above we show a 1950 Aerial Photograph by R.M. Towill, Civil Engineer - Surveyor, Honolulu, T.H. via Pan Am flight image of the gulch showing all 3 routes of the Ala Loa/Improved “1922 Sugar Road”, the Old Mamalahoa (1897) and the defunct Hilo/Consolidated Railway. The makai branch crosses the river and is lost due to overgrowth but on maps follows a short curve up the North West pali thru State lands and the Laupahoehoe Community Forest. On the bluff there is ample space where fishermen sometimes park to scramble down the North cliff, as that side of the Ala loa trail has had a much longer period since use/repair, (with some rockslides from construction of Highway 19) and ends at the stream without legal beach access. Beyond to the North, the Ala Loa appears to connect with the old Moonlight road/Lower Cane Haul road which transverses mostly public lands or Kamehameha Schools lands the next 24 miles of Hāmākua coastline. This Lower Cane Haul road is beloved by the community and eyed as an alternate route to the busy Mamalahoa Highway for recreation. The new section of Highway 19 thru Ka’awali’i was built in 1957 after the 1946 tsunami damaged the trestle and bridges of the Hilo Railroad Company (built in 1912 and later reorganized into Hawaii Consolidated Railway in 1916). The railway took a path similar to that of the Old Mamalahoa (built to support the horse drawn carts of the thriving sugar plantation businesses along the coastline) following a less steep route along the back of the valley manageable for locomotive engines. These paths combine for the most part now into 1957 Highway 19 whereas the Ala Loa footpath curved down closer to the shoreline at a sharper incline manageable for pedestrians and horses. RECREATION As 1922 Ala Loa improvements included paving with macadam into a 8ft wide Sugar access road, hiking, biking, and horseback riding could be relatively easy along the Ala Loa thru the Gulch with some upkeep, we envision perhaps even a corridor along this beautiful valley and onwards thru Hāmākua. William Ellis wrote his journal, published in 1827, about this route and Isabella Bird’s famous book ‘Six Months in the Sandwich Islands’ recounts this adventure via horseback in 1873, with depictions of fording the surrounding major gulches in the midst of a tropical storm that inspired women around the world for over a century. While conditions for this journey have improved at least on this parcel, it is still an adventure many would be impressed by today, whatever the means of transport. Beach: Surfing - The house on the parcel was built by professional bodyboarder and surfing world champion, Mike Stewart in 1995. In touring the house with the realtor it was mentioned he loved to surf Ka’awali’i and its beauty so much he made it his home break, a sentiment shared, likely, by beloved Hawaiian King ‘Umi a Liloa (ca.1525), who was born and resided for much of his life in Humuʻula/Waipunalei/Laupahoehoe area. 5 “Upon the death of Lïloa, ‘Umi fled from Waipi‘o, to live in secrecy near his birth place. ‘Umi and his companions lived at Waipunalei and vicinity, in the district of Hilo. Hilo Palikū - Maly, Page 30 Page 32 goes on to detail that Umi first lived at an upland place called Laumai‘a on the land of Humu‘ula (his mother was from this area), and while in the area ‘Umi and his friends all married, and lived as commoners upon the lands, with their exploits in the area becoming the stuff of legend. It is said that one of the pastimes that ‘Umi enjoyed most was surfing, the famed surf fronting Laupähoehoe was one of his favorite spots for the sport, but undoubtedly that of Ka’awali’i as well, as the break was closer and has excellent formation, though due to the lack of trail access today is not frequented as much as of yore or just decades ago when Mike Stewart rode its waves. As you may note by the Humuʻula land division made by Umi, only Kaʻawaliʻi beach was included in this expansive and privileged Ahupuaʻa. Swimming, Fishing, Diving, Canoe: Swimming is possible in the seasonal stream pool which is light blue in color & sandy in several areas as well as along the pebble and boulder beach where it meets the shore. Diving and fishing here is esteemed, with a productive reef ecosystem fed by abundant freshwater. Even though the surface stream is seasonal, the historic aquifer well & pumphouse, cliffside lava tube formations, and vibrantly healthy reef ecosystem here show that significant freshwater resources run beneath the alluvial silt valley floor. See here a Fall 2025 video of divers on this reef with healthy reef ecosystem and general stoke on great conditions. The rivermouth pool sometimes connects fully to the ocean, so canoe/kayak access is possible seasonally or as maintained. ʻAina activities & Education: Possible uses of the valley floor itself beyond hiking, biking, horseback riding include subsistence gathering, agriculture/agroforesty and native species and historic sites remediation and education. According to the Stewart 1992 Conservation Use Permit Application, until recently the grassy valley floor to the northwest of the stream was used to graze cattle at the shoreline. This is a substantial flat area with deep rich soil and some rock wall formations, and was the likely site of historic habitation, agriculture and hale wa’a of a fishing village that provided upland peoples with ocean resources (See 2 History below). Our hope is that this area could become a cultural stewardship site, and any rock wall remnants in 6 the valley could be tended/repaired with thought of their former function, kauhale complex or hale wa’a, lo’i, etc for cultural gatherings, camping and education. According to hula halau word of mouth, the valley boasts one of the largest Lauhala groves on the island and could be used by hala weavers for gathering and education. Area abundance of hala was noted in Botanist James Macrae 1825 observations (Hilo Palikū - Maly Pg 42) Area ‘awa experts mention that Ka’awali’i gulch is the home of a prized small leaf ‘awa (as the name would indicate), perhaps this cultivar could be restored and utilized traditionally. The steep gulch provides a quiet forested corridor between the upland Laupahoehoe Forest Reserve and ocean resources for birds, and there is a large cave at the seashore that is the home to many seabirds. These are only a few small aspects of how Ka’awali’i gulch may function as the foot of a broader mauka/makai corridor up thru the Laupahoehoe forest reserve and Mauna Kea/Mauna Loa, bringing back these important connections thru place based education would be a lofty goal. 2) Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites: It appears that the six districts of the island of Hawai‘i and the system of developing smaller manageable units of land became formalized by the early 1600s, in the reign of ‘Umi-a-Līloa. Mauna Kea Kuahiwi Maly 16 “It is also significant that the record of the vast regional land divisions (ahupua‘a) of Humu‘ula (in Hilo)and Ka‘ohe (in Hāmākua) included environmental zones and resources that extended from shore to mountain summit, is also significant. Indeed, the high mountain natural and cultural resources added to the wealth and well-being of the ahupua‘a residents. Hawaiian customs and practices demonstrate the belief that all portions of the land and environment are related, like members of an extended family, each zone was named, and their attributes were known. Acknowledging the relationship of one environmental zone (wao) to another, is rooted in traditional land management practices and values”….. “It is important for contemporary readers to know that in the Hawaiian mind all aspects of the land—all natural and cultural resources are interrelated, and that all are culturally significant. Thus, when speaking of Mauna Kea, it’s integrity and sense of place depends on the well-being of the whole entity, not only a part of it.” Mauna Kea Kuahiwi Maly 15 Located at the makai junction of Humu’ula Ahupua’a and Waipunalei (with itʻs smaller land division of Kahoahuna/Paʻana) at the foot of 2 of the six moku-a-loko (largest land divisions) of Kaohe and Humulula, the beach and stream of Ka’awali’i gulch were no doubt of importance in ancient times. From the beach we stand on the Humu’ula land division, being connected to both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, along with nearby Kaohe, the two divide Hilo and Hāmākua moku and comprise many of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa sacred sites. Humu’ula Ahupuaa (Hawaii Statewide GIS Portal) spans in one division all the way from summit to ocean (pre 1907, see maps above from Maly Hilo Palikū 103 & 110), with a smaller subdivision at the shore ʻOʻōkala which then is the boundary of Hilo and Hāmākua moku. The beach of Ka’awali’i is therefore connected via Humuʻula to Keanakolu (the 3 caves), Pu’u Holei, Kole (bird catching shrine/forest zone shelter), Kanakaleonui (BuriaSite), Kaupō (Red Hill), Makanaka, and many sacred sites on Mauna Kea. Early land boundary testimonies took Humuʻula to the summit to Kamakahalau, “in the vicinity of the “Pond of Poliahu” (Lake Waiau) and “Kaluakakoi” the adze-quarries.” Maly Page 102. Even if these near summit sites are not included from 1907 on, beyond towards Mauna Loa the Humuula land division encompasses Puʻu Loa, Oʻo, Huluhulu, 7 all other Hilo lands to the crater of Mokuaweoweo… [Lyons 1875:111; emphasis added]. Traditions and historical records tell us that the practices of district subdividing and land use as described above, were integral to Hawaiian life, and were the product of strictly adhered to resource management planning. In this system, the people learned to live within the wealth and limitations of their natural environment, and were able to sustain themselves on the land and ocean. It is in this cultural system that we can understand the significance of the lands of Humu‘ula, Ka‘ohe, Pi‘ihonua, and the neighboring ‘āina mauna.” Humuʻula,Maly17 Speaking of the resources of the Humuʻula Ahupuaʻa forests in 1904, R. Hosmer, Superintendent of Forestry report for the upper boundary of the Hilo Forest Reserve noted “Beyond Honohina the dense forest of Ohia and Koa comes up to the Humuula line. From here on to the Hamakua boundary, the proportion of Koa is larger and the forest is of greater potential commercial value.” Humuʻula, Maly 241 In this light I would point your attention to the interesting feature that all of the vast Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea Humuʻula upland resources funnel down to the singular beach and ocean access of Kaʻawaliʻi. In that context, you can see fleets of canoes launched forth and perhaps even the name of Ka-awa-aliʻi as Awa of Aliʻi or valley or Valley of Knowledge within the larger valley context/area there of Awawaike (as referred to in land boundary testimonies in Maly), and here we turn to the story of Ka Miki. What follows is excerpts from the Kaao Hooniua Puuwai no Ka-Miki” (The Heart Stirring Story of Ka-Miki), which provides readers with a detailed account of Hawaiian land divisions, environmental zones and Kaʻawaliʻiʻs exceptional capacity. “Welokä and Käwalalä‘au then arrived at the hälau of Palikü, and the kahua was made ready for the contest between the champion Welokä and Ka-Miki. All of the ‘ölohe from ‘Awapuhi to Ka‘ula, and the chiefs who upheld the laws of Palikü-a-Kïko‘oko‘o assembled for the contest between Welokä and Ka-Miki. Those assembled included Päpa‘aloa, Kihalani, Manowai‘öpae, and Pu‘u ‘Alaea. The chief Laupähoehoe was ill and did not attend. The twin chiefesses Waipunalei-a-Haho (daughters of Palikü-a-Kïko‘oko‘o), their guardian Hökü-lï-a-lei (now called Hökülï), the seer Näkäpa‘a, and his brother Ka‘awali‘i-a-lohelohe, (called Ka‘awali‘i, who was the messenger- runner of the chief Lupea – Kahauoluapea), and his sister Kaohaohalani (called Kaohaoha), ‘Ö‘ökala-ku-nahihi-nä-hulu-i-kamaha (now called ‘Ö‘ökala), and Ka-‘ula-ku‘i-a-lua (now called Ka‘ula), were also among those assembled at the kahua. These were famous people of Palikü's time, and lands are named for all of them. Hilo Palikū - Maly 27 The riddling battle ensues with great detail of the varying twists and turns, and at the conclusion: “…Ka-Miki praised Pïna‘au's great skills, saying he had never met anyone as capable as him. Ka-Miki then released Palikü-a-Kïko‘oko‘o and Pïna‘au from the death kapu which had been set upon the riddling contest. Ka-Miki and Pïna‘au continued competing as friends, and when the contest was over, Ka-Miki commended both Pïna‘au and Ka‘awali‘i to cherished positions under their chiefs. Hilo Palikū - Maly 30 From this excerpt one can gather the honor bestowed on Kaʻawaliʻi, of exceptional knowledge of mauka-makai land management and connections in olden times, as this story is set almost 800 years ago. This importance is echo-ed by the ahupuaʻa size and relationship formalized by Umi 9 some 500 years ago and utilized up thru the time of Kamehameha I, who in the 1780s who won several major battles here (one Kaholo, is the famous battle site in Humuʻula) and stayed to farm in this area. In this area he is said to have declared the Law of Mamalahoa (Splintered Paddle) as described in Hilo Paliku Maly 33-38 which, ironically for present day Kaʻawaliʻi, established trail right of way and safe passage across the island. The rare distinction of Humuʻula ahupuaʻa was recognized even by Kamehameha the III thru in the 1848 Great Mahele, retaining it part of Crown Land Inventory (Hilo Palikū - Maly, 73). And, with this in mind, I urge readers to visualize the keiki of Laupahoehoe, North Hilo, Hāmākua, and island wide, regaining the Ala Loa access and stepping into this valley of knowledge as a place of learning as only PONC purchase could facilitate. While we have gone into a broader upland connection of Kaʻawaliʻi with historic sites of interest above, including the residence of Umi and his family in the area and the Waipunalei & vast Humuʻula ahupuaʻa overall, here we will go into more detail of the coastline relationship with nearby historical sites. Maly documents numerous heiau/historical sites in Laupahoehoe on pages 63-68, several including: “Heiau of Mamala or Haakoa, land of Haakoa and adjoining Waipunalei, Hilo. Located near the edge of the bluff overlooking Laupahoehoe village…. It was probably this heiau at which the chief Paiea was sacrificed by Umi” [Stokes 1991:157]. Hilo Palikū - Maly, 64 Heiau of Papaulekii - Māmalahoa Ke Kānāwai” Law - The old people of Laupahoehoe say that here Kamehameha proclaimed the Mamalahoa Law on his return from the raiding expedition to Puna known as the “Kaleleike.” Hilo Palikū - Maly, Pg 64/67 Regarding the place named Hökuli, Kamakau described it as being along the trail into Waipunalei, a cave, in which ‘Umi hid, for a time, the god, Kü-kä‘ili-moku (ibid.:11). Hilo Palikū - Maly, 32 Towards Hilo, Kaʻawaliʻiʻ is connected via Kahoahuna & greater Waipunalei ahupuaʻa to Haʻakoa, the Heiau of Mamala and cave of Hokuli. Towards Hāmākua on the plateau above Kaʻawaliʻi lay the village of Humuʻula (described jovially and abundant in pages 245-250 of William Ellis Journal), then ʻOʻōkala forms a lesser subdivision of Humuʻula, of which Kaʻula gulch is defined as mauka/makai boundary and dividing line between Hilo and Hāmākua. Kaʻula is the location & name of a large heiau dedicated to Pele (described in Ellis 250-251). The nearby land division of Kaohe in this 1891 Survey Map (Maly Mauna Kea Ka Piko 485) touches the shore near Koholālele, location of Manini heiau and the seaside base of the Umikoa trail. There are significant historical stories, names, and physical sites that would be amplified and potentially preserved through acquisition and management of this Kaʻawaliʻi ʻāina in a larger historical context. Within the gulch itself, historical documentation: Waiki K. Sworn - “The ahupuaa [pig altar cairn] is the boundary at seashore, bounded by Kahoahuna; a pile of stones on the Hamakua side of the stream in Kawalii gulch, is the boundary. Thence mauka along the stream, passing Kahanapehau grove and Piinau, breadfruit on Kahoahuna. Thence up the kahawai to Waiolomea, a pool of water in the gulch. Thence to 10 Lapalapa where a gulch of Humula comes in from that land. Lapalapa is on Humula by the boundary of Kahoahuna.….” Mauna Kea Kuahiwi Maly et all 58 Kamohaiulu K. Sworn. - The boundary at shore is at Kawalii gulch at Kaahupuaa, bounded on Kahoahuna; thence mauka along the gulch to Piinau, kauhale; thence to Lapalapa, a cultivating ground. Thence the boundary runs up the kahawai to Mauiana gulch, a branch of the Kawalii. There Kahoahuna is cut off by Humuula. Thence along the land of Kahoahuna 1st to Lainakaunohi, a spot in the old canoe road of Humuula at Mauiana. Humuula Maly 206 Naaikauna K. Sworn. - I was born at Humuula and have always lived there. Born at the time of Kiholo [ca. 1810] know a part of the boundaries of Humuula. My father Eekamoku and his father Kaapunini told them to me. Humuula is bounded at shore on the Hilo side by Kahoahuna 2nd at Kaahupuaa the kahawai is on Kahoahuna, Kawalii gulch. The ahu is in front of the houses. Thence up the gulch to Nohoaokaakau, a cave thence up the gulch to Lapalapa; there the gulch branches. Waikoloa on Kahoahuna, thence up the north branch Alanaio to Kapualeiapana; thence up to Mauiana, a pali and waterfall Humuula Maly 207 Pg 183 of the State 2016 DOT Rockfall DEA lists maps and general cultural features of Kaʻawaliʻi. Within the gulch there remains terracing and rock walls along the north and south side of the stream which should be a focus for archaeological survey. It may be that the rock formations nearer the shoreline would be the houses mentioned in testimony above by the ahupuaʻa marker, then Kahanapehau grove is the flattened cultivating area on the North side of the river, while the kauhale and Ulu grove named Piinau is the area at the bottom of the Ala Loa on the South side. This may be where a hale waʻa and finishing sites existed, as the Waipunalei trail is on this side and Koa forests above provided hollowed out trunks which would likely be finished at the seashore, this practice lightened the load while minimizing transport risk of damage to a finished canoe. We have not yet searched for Nohoaokaakau cave, while Lapalapa is likely at the rear of this property before the highway & steep ridge dividing the gulch into tributaries. The tsunamis of 1946 and 1960 must have had an impact here, however, significant historic sugar plantation structures along the beach remain and are of importance themselves. Below are some photos, including the well, pumphouse and other structures. In 1922, a new high lift pump was installed to move two million gallons of water a day out of Kaawalii Gulch up to the head of the main flume at the 750 foot elevation. The main flume carried 30 tons of cane per hour to the mill. Laupähoehoe Sugar Company was reportedly the first plantation in Hawaii to lift water for fluming as high as 750 feet (Ms. Campbell). 11 4)Preservation of forests, including beaches, coastal areas, natural beauty, and agricultural lands Beaches, Coastal Areas: The proposed purchase and subsequent management of this parcel would protect and enhance the natural beauty and quality of the forest, valley and coastal area of North Hilo/Hāmākua. While this parcel is mainly zoned Conservation and no further development pressure exists, due to the building of the house gates over the Ala Loa community access is currently restricted, and therefore exists a likely costly community battle to restore access. It may be more cost effective and beneficial for community relations to purchase easement or the parcel itself. Beaches and waterways such as at Ka’awali’i are precious, and the superior use of this parcel is not as a private coastal estate, but as a place of Community use and learning, especially with such able stewards as the Laupahoehoe Train Museum and Laupahoehoe School can provide. The focus of the parcel would shift from private investment in a vacation rental-ed house and unmanaged wilderness (left to fill in with invasives after sugar impacts and grazing) to that of remediation and amplification of native ecosystem productivity via hands on indigenous knowledge systems for water management, agroforestry, and native species remediation, appreciation and use. Scenic Value, Natural beauty: From much of the parcel you cannot see or hear the highway, and the coastal vistas here are quite stunning, as a verdant cover of deep green forest is laid across black pebble beach and indigo waters, the twin gorges defining the Humu’ula prominence in the background topped with light green ranchland up the slopes to snowy Mauna Kea and blue skies above. We can imagine use of this space by a wide array of visual artists, and community stewardship would work to preserve and improve the natural resources and view planes for present and future generations to enjoy. The location of this parcel along the old Ala Loa, Mamalahoa, Railway and possible connection as an alternate pedestrian route to the Lower Cane Haul Road makes it a natural addition to the county’s storied places of scenic interest. This work towards a “string of pearls” along the coastline would increase economic opportunity for nearby businesses in the area as well as the greater Hilo/Hamakua Heritage Coast. Agricultural Lands: “A review of the work performed by Newman indicates that the current project area falls in the Scattered Farms agricultural zone. This zone is defined as having low population density, dispersed settlement with few fishing villages at the coast, and scattered fields and gardens with no major field systems (Newman 2000).” (Hawaii State D.O.T. 2010 EA for Kaʻawaliʻi Improvements Section 4) Handy and Handy (1972:538) reported taro terraces "in and below" Laupāhoehoe and Maulua awāwa in the late 1800s. Some sweet potatoes were grown in all three awāwa and in the vicinity of Ka'awali'i, sweet potatoes "used to rival taro as a staple." Handy (1940:164) noted "former taro lands along the lower slopes ... are now covered by sugar cane.” (Hilo Palikū - Maly, Page PG) “E Makoa ë, run to Laupähoehoe and meet with the ali‘i who are residing there and say to them that I [page 188] crave the kihikihi sweet potato, and also some of it mashed, and also some nöpili [goby fish] of the upland stream of Laupähoehoe. You have heard. Run and tell them of my craving.” Words of Kamehameha, Hilo Palikū - Maly, Page 35 The Hāmākua coast area where Kaʻawaliʻi resides is characterized as one of exceptionally deep, rich soil, with abundant rain and running water and is therefore one of the top agricultural zones on the island. Significant freshwater resources run thru Kaʻawaliʻi valley, and along the valley walls a of this 13 + acre parcel, 12 agroforestry could be conducted, with groves of ulu, awa, ohiaʻai, hala, and more restored utilizing the nitrogen rich kukui for optimal growth and ecosystem balance. Within the valley floor itself, there is an extensive flat plateau where food based agriculture for the community could be restored, with ʻuala, kalo, niu, maiʻa, kī, ʻawa and more growing in the moist valley soil. Hui Kakoʻo O Laupahoehoe and partnering organizations could tend this area, hopefully inviting agricultural groups such as HuiMAU, the Ulu Co-op, Niu Now, Olohana Project, and Project Kanu and others to make waiwai this fertile lowland. Healthy relationships with ‘āina using these cherished and invaluable traditions, as well as community partners, would be a guiding principle in preserving and promoting the agricultural and cultural character of the community. Subsistence: This ʻāina holds special value through itʻs abundant natural resources including fisheries, hunting grounds, native plants for gathering for lei, la’au lapa’au, and other subsistence uses. Kaʻawaliʻi remains a place known for its abundant aquatic resources that are fished by the areaʻs local lawaiʻa (fishers). The stream, estuary, and ocean produce prawns, hoʻio, āhole, moi, ʻamaʻama, limu, ʻopihi, and many other important food sources for local families, as it once did for those who lived in Ookala and Waipunalei villages near this bay, and for the uplands of Humuʻula and Kaʻohe. This subsistence resource is particularly important today for rural communities such as Ōʻōkala ((Niu and Kukui villages), Kukaiau, Laupāhoehoe and Pāpaʻaloa who have a large portion of the population statistically living below the poverty line. Preserving these community lifeways through public acquisition will help maintain this special place and these valued traditions in perpetuity (Pic via SHPD report D.Chang) 3) Protection of natural resources, significant habitat or ecosystems, including buffer zones Native Species: The State 2010 Final Environmental Assessment for Hawaii Belt Road Rockfall Protection for Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch (PG 43) notes sighting of indigenous White-tailed Tropicbird (Koaʻe Kea) and Endemic Iʻo Hawaiian Hawk. The study also notes this area may contain endemic Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), or ua‘u, and the threatened Newell’s Shearwater(Puffinus auricularis newelli), or ‘a‘o, that may over-fly the project areas between the months of May and November, noting the species breeds on Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, and Moloka‘i in extremely small numbers. During my visit there was a group of about 8 seabirds that may have been one or the other circling nearshore. There is a large cave near the rivermouth directly below the house that was pointed out to me as home to a large number of seabirds where the walls were streaked with white droppings. Due to high tide & wave surge I was unable to get closer. The primary cause of mortality in both of the seabird mentioned above is thought to be predation by alien mammalian species onshore and secondary is collision with man-made structures as these nocturnally flying seabirds, especially fledglings on their way to sea in the summer and fall, can become disoriented by exterior lighting, issues not addressed in the Stewart 1992 Conservation Use Permit Application, nor the issue of noise from vacation rental-ed events. In this general area of North Hilo noio are seen nesting among the sea cliffs as well, along with sightings of ‘iwa and ʻaukuʻu (night heron) as well. The State FEA notes that it can be expected that Hawaiian Hoary Bats (opeʻapeʻa) forage over sections of this area. For flora the EIS only surveyed up by the highway project area, but indigenous or endemic plants of note were neleau, koali ‘awa, hau, ohi‘a, hala, uluhe, and Kalanchoë pinnata. Other plants of note can be found on pg 39 of the 2016 DOT DEA Rockfall Protection Plan. 13 According to the DHHL `Āina Mauna Legacy Program, mauka on Humuʻula Forestry lands you can find “Palila, the Hawai`i `Ākepa, Hawai`i Creeper, `Akiapōlā`au, `Io, Koloa, Nēnē, and Hawaiian Dark Rumpled Petrel (PG 29) and a list of endangered plants are on page 92 including the na`ena`e and `ōhā wai plant species and the natural communities of māmane subalpine dry forest and koa/māmane montane dry forest. This mauka-makai corridor provides protection as streams and gulches are often the last fragile refuge fauna and flora in the lowland. These ecosystems are highly at risk and remediation is difficult once a complex web is disrupted, however the studies above show there are likely species that could use study & stewardship here. 4) Protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply Watershed: According to the 2008 Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) Atlas of Hawaiian Watersheds Kaawalii (82002) is a perennial stream with a watershed area of 23.3 square mi , 61.3% watershed zoned conservation, with 65.7% controlled by the state and 17.2% controlled by OHA. No sampling has occurred at the estuary, but headwater sampling notes 3 types of Native Oʻopu (Goby); Awaous guamensis, Lentipes concolor, Sicyopterus stimpsoni (Alamoo, Nakea, Nopili) and Endemic Hawaiian Damselfy Megalagrion calliphya (last surveyed in 1980, Table 18 on PG 189 of HSA doc below). Historical studies that consider the stream worthy of protection include the Hawaii Stream Assessment (1990) rank Outstanding Aquatic Resource (Map 4 above from PG206), Substantial Riparian Resource (PG 227 Table 28 -At least 2 Threatened and Endangered Birds & at least 1 Rare Plants), Cultural Resources Unknown/Not surveyed (possibly substantial due to valleys along this coast protected from sugar bulldozing) and Moderate Recreational Resource (Page 286 Table 40 includes Hiking Swimming Fishing Hunting and Views. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ranked this as a High Quality Stream (1988), with an overall DAR watershed and biological (native and introduced) combined ranking of 5, which includes reach diversity, stewardship, wetness, size and other factors. A large gap exists in our local knowledge of critical stream ecosystems in many areas and scientists too treasure these public spaces, as they are often intentionally or inadvertently excluded by private landowners as well as the larger public. Here we see that no Estuary Biotic Sampling has been conducted in the studies above, only upper headwater reaches, this is 14 unfortunate as estuaries are among the most productive natural habitats. Kaawaliʻi stream scores a 2 on the Stewardship ranking by DAR, indicating a need for land and biodiversity protection that is vital to its overall well being. We link here to a recent 2017 attempt by James Jacob Akau to survey the Aquatic Resources at Kaʻawaliʻi including water quality, salinity, fish, coral and turf algae species composition, but difficulty of access (mentioned on page 37) was part of why that did not happen. Rich species composition is likely to be similar to that listed for nearby Laupahoehoe, and similarly, critically endangered Hawksbill turtles are known in this area as well. Kaʻawaliʻi and surrounding reefs need to be surveyed and protected, and community level engagement with this watershed is sorely needed for the protection of these mauka/makai relationships to ensure ecosystem health for this and future generations. Page 55 of the Mauna Kea Watershed Management Plan (2010) shows the State Conservation District subzones extending in Kaʻawaliʻi valley mauka of the highway up to the Forest reserve lands above. Page 84 shows the DOFAW managed lands above, and also under DOFAW jurisdiction is the adjacent the Hilo Forest Reserve Ookala Community Forest on State Lands makai of the highway at the shoreline (TMKs (3) 3-9-001: por. 013 and 018) under Cooperative Agreement between the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the Laupahoehoe Train Museum, the North Hilo Community Council and the Laupahoehoe High School. It would make much sense to claim the rest of the valley as public lands to the shoreline to maximize prudent stewardship of this valuable aquatic resource all the way to the beach. Also of note is the`Āina Mauna Legacy Program for Humuʻula Ahupuaa where DHHL seeks to restore portions of the Humu`ula/Pi`ihonua lands in perpetuity to conserve native forests and natural habitats for future generations. INTENT AND LONG TERM VISION: The long-term vision for Kaʻawaliʻi is a community driven space that includes continued community access to the natural and cultural resources of the area, particularly the stream and shoreline, increased safety measures for the general public and visitors, and forest and shoreline resource management. Kaʻawaliʻi would need to be archaeologically and biologically studied to identify sensitive resources such as the possible presence of endangered species or historic sites, which would aid in the development of a comprehensive stewardship plan. We envision an active stewardship with the youth of Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School (LCPCS) (and others) having a hands-on opportunity to conduct agriculture and agroforestry as well as restore native species, cultural sites, and understand the surrounding area and ahupuaʻa in a broader historical and environmental context. Management of the existing natural resources would be based in the traditional reciprocal relationship of Hawaiian resource use whereby a community can aloha ʻāina and therefore may be fed from the source. Use of the existing house structures as a home base for parking, tools and cleanup, a learning center, teacher housing and/or meeting area would be an added benefit for the school and community as a whole. The opportunity provided by conservation alongside education, cultural stewardship and agricultural projects could provide much for this and future generations. With a robust and culturally appropriate stewardship framework, the Kaʻawaliʻi parcel could provide an invaluable natural resource for the Laupahoehoe/Oʻokala area, and the entire North Hilo/Hāmākua Coast. There are additional 15 concrete areas of environmental and community stewardship that we anticipate and offer in detailed outline within the Draft Stewardship Plan included in the Letter of Support. Attachment C: If available, provide community letters of support or endorsements for this proposed acquisition or project. Heather Kimball - Current County Council Hāmākua, Richard Eldridge via Realty - Property Owner, Hui Kakoʻo o Laupahoehoe - Stewardship Organization, Laupahoehoe Train Museum Additional Letters of Support are pending: Makahanaloa Fishing Association?, Na Ala Hele?, Hamakua CDP Action Committee?, North Hilo Community Council?, Hui Mau?, DAR & HWF? Attachment D: Identify and provide contact information of community organizations, land trusts, or individuals willing to be part of this property's long-term management/maintenance. Hui Kaʻkoʻo O Laupāhoehoe 501c3 (fiscal sponsor - Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School) DRAFT Stewardship Plan Included with Hui Kakoʻo Letter of Support Rachel Condor, Board President 808-963-4176 HuiKakooOLaupahoehoe@gmail.com Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School (LCPCS) Anna-Marie Mackey, Development Director (405) 834-8305 anna.mackey@lcpcs.org Laupāhoehoe Train Museum Doug Conner dougconnors@yahoo.com Attachment E 1) How would the general public benefit from this proposed acquisition or project? “From the earliest days, streams were among the most important natural resources sought after by native Hawaiians.”  - State of Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources. The Ala Loa is currently gated with permission to a few, and the house has been used as a vacation rental for years. Currently the public sees little to no maintenance of the trail or natural resources of the valley, and the landowner appears absent. Invasive species have been allowed to multiply and other unchecked maintenance issues have been building for years, such as rockfall on the trail and pig damage. As a vacation rental, large parties were happening frequently (neighbors say almost monthly), causing noise, traffic & safety issues for the neighborhood (as well as wildlife) although that has stopped, there is no guarantee what the next owners will do. It is easy to see how private ownership of sensitive parcels is a problem, the “private owner” is often less informed than the broader local community, especially landowners from out of state. Stewarding these fragile native ecosystems as a group decision with the community involvement of folks who know and love the area is often a superior decision making process for conserving the natural resources of Hawaiʻi. There has historically been casual stewardship here, as community members take it upon themselves to clean up rubbish and debris, maintain the access points, and share local knowledge of the place. Our goal with the proposed PONC purchase of Kaʻawaliʻi is community strengthening of the Laupahoehoe area, North Hilo/Hāmākua Coast, and Island as a whole through prudent natural resource stewardship and connection to ‘āina, local culture, and traditional ways of life. As supported by the Hāmākua CDP, public purchase of the land would legalize community access to river, ocean and beach on what is otherwise a rugged coast dominated by cliffs. It would protect traditional subsistence and recreational uses alongside remaining historic sites, trails 16 and scenic vistas. It would prevent private ownership lapses in maintenance of an irreplaceable natural ecosystem, prevent expensive and long community fights to restore access, and provide cultural and educational opportunities for many. Because Kaʻawaliʻi was inhabited but originally reserved as crown lands, living descendants in the area would benefit from public preservation. This parcel contains the Ala Loa and is part of an important cultural corridor connecting the Hilo/Hāmākua Heritage Coast. Although no longer dominated by native species, this parcel is fully forested providing watershed and ecological services, and native species can still can be found here, active stewardship and access would be significant to the advancement of knowledge & health of stream ecosystems in Hawaiʻi. FOR MORE DETAIL SEE SECTION B. 2) Describe any significant historic, cultural, or natural resources on the property Situated at the junction of the ahupuaʻa of Humuʻula and Kahoahuna (subsection of the broader Waipunalei Ahupuaʻa) between the Laupahoehoe and Oʻokala communities, this parcel is connected within a large and ancient historical context and retains sites that should be preserved and studied. Kaʻawaliʻi Stream is a significant aquifer, natural resource, and rock & pebble beach ocean access,along what is otherwise the mostly inaccessible pali cliffline. FOR MORE DETAIL SEE SECTION B. 3) Describe and include maps showing any significant relationship to larger historical, cultural, and/or natural landscape. (i.e. corridor, agricultural field systems, conservation strategy, etc.) The abutting property to the North is State owned and is part of the Forest Reserve system operated by the Laupahoehoe Train Museum as the “Ookala Community Forest.” This nomination does fit well within the larger community priorities as outlined in the 2018 Hāmākua Community Development Plan Section 4 pg 54-77 PROTECT AND ENHANCE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES  for relevant priorities. The Hamakua CDP Action Committee is likely to address endorsement of this PONC Nomination of Kaʻawaliʻi in mid February and a letter of support provided soon. FOR MORE DETAIL SEE SECTION B. 4) Describe the level of urgency (i.e., the property is currently on the open market or for sale and if so, for how long, there are current development plans, the property has an active filed application for re-zoning/subdivision, is an area of high public use, etc.). Now facing access and ecological remediation issues from all sides, is the desire of the community to have a more legalized and concrete role to protect this resource from unchecked use or neglect and restore customary access to what should be a shared space. The potential sale of Kaʻawaliʻi to an out of state landowner who does not allow public access is already evident. The community faces a costly legal battle to restore Ala Loa access across the parcel but will still need to cross private property to reach the beach. The Kaʻawaliʻi parcel is currently on the market and the price has dropped recently. The realtor, Howard Meguro, thinks it is priced more competitively now and interest will rise. Correspondence with property owners, Richard Eldridge, shows little interest in providing/selling a Public Easement. The urgency of sale is compounded with the significant risk of forcing the public to walk thru the aquaduct beneath the highway to use the lower stream and ocean, and need to study and care for this precious resource. Kaʻawaliʻi is a treasured community space that is a critical fishery, local swimming area, and cultural site. 5) Describe any special opportunities for acquisition that presently exist. (Special funding available, etc.) This parcel is currently on the open market. The nominating group has informed the owner of the community's interest in preserving the land and will search out all avenues of funding and partnerships possible. The owner has sent a letter of intent to sell (see Attachment C) and while the price currently includes 3 parcels, is willing to talk story further about what Parcel format works for the county. TMK:3-6-005:15 includes the driveway, main house, pool, and valley. Perhaps PONC could cover this main parcel, while the nominating group seeks funding for the ADU triangle house (above the pool) on parcel 3-6-005:14 that is CPRʻd with same owner. We are not sure how all this will develop but just nominating as is for now. 17 Sadly, we do not think the current owner is aware that the Ala Loa is located where the “private 1922 Sugar road” is and we are hesitant to broach this subject without full documentation and hope of a win-win situation for all, therefore we are submitting this PONC nomination first. 6) Have partnerships with other government agencies or private or nonprofit entities been identified to leverage resources (funding, grants, managing partnerships)? X Yes We are actively seeking other funding sources and collaborative organizations as well as expertise and resources to leverage into this proposed acquisition, including reaching out to Hawaii Island Land Trust, Trust for Public Lands and Moku O Keawe and consulting on the the Ala Loa with Na Ala Hele. A Managing Partnership between the responsible and resourced organizations of Hui Kakoʻo O Laupahoehoe and the Laupahoehoe Train Museum would enable stewardship of this property to be served by grants and partnerships beyond just the County. The nominating hui will be actively seeking additional resources to assist in the purchase including the State Legacy Lands, State Department of Forestry, UH Hilo (Forestry), Hawaii State Department of Aquatic Resources, as well as other private landowners. Additionally there are several Non-profits and Non governmental organizations that are based in North Hilo & Hamakua to approach on collaboration for Kaʻawaliʻi including the North Hilo Community Council, HuiMAU and others, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Olohana Foundation. 7) Is/Are the property(s) or property easement(s) available for acquisition? X Yes The current landowner has been supportive of this nomination with the help of realtor Howard Meguro is willing to explore the option of public purchase (see letter of intent to sell). 8) Are there any covenants, encumbrances, restrictions (i.e., association or maintenance), or easements on the property? X Yes There are no community association dues on this property. No unclaimed kuleana parcels. The property is under a dedicated Conservation District exemption for tax purposes and are within the County Agriculture Property Class - Agriculture -20. Boundary interpretation map #89 75. Coastal portions of the properties do lie within the County Special Management Area.   Hawaiʻi State Land Use Designations are for the parcel Conservation District TMK 3-6-05:15 & 93 Resource subzone map H-52 (Kukaiau Quadrangle) for the river valley and shoreline pali.As stated in Section 13-2-13 Resource subzone, the objective of this subzone is to develop, with proper management, areas to insure the sustained use of the natural resources of those areas. Easements: Hawaii Electric Light Company June 14 1985 Bureau of Conveyances Book 18728, Page 558 Hawaii Telephone Company, Book 4614 Page 230 Free Flowage of Water in Kaʻawaliʻi stream Property borders the ocean and subject to HRS 205, sections 31 to 37 relative to setbacks and prohibitions on use, and regulations on Land Use Commission & County Planning Department. Property borders State Highway 19 and road remnant of Old Mamalahoa Highway. Land Grants 3688 S. Kaiewe, 5528 A. Holokahi, 7565 Waipunalei Agricultural, 7800 Laupahoehoe Sugar 3-6-05:14 Beard Parcel 1.618 Condo Master Agricultural. 9) Describe any known hazards on the property (i.e., flood zone, lava hazard zone, mudslides, pollution, etc.).Flood Zone X - Minimal flooding except within river area. Lava Zone 8. Pali and Valley contain Clifflines, Steep trails. Tsunami Hazard. Little Fire Ants are present. Property borders ocean and highway. REFERENCES CITED and LINKS: County of Hawaii Real Property Tax Office Online Map https://qpublic.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?AppID=1048&LayerID=23618&PageType ID=1&PageI%20D=9875&KeyValue=27010027000 18 TMK Maps of interest 36001 & 36005 https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/resources/tax-maps-tmk-maps/-folder-3024#docfold 14 2989 2224 3024 1992 Stewart Conservation District Use Permit Application https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/EA EIS Archive/1992-03-08-HA-FEA-Stewart-Residence. pdf Coldwell Banker Realty Listing by Howard Meguro https://www.howardmegurorealtor.com/for-sale/36-2850-hawaii-belt-rd-ookala-hi-96774/id 323489 Waipunalei Homestead Grant 3688 & Lot 1, Lot 2, Lot 7 https://ags.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Grant3688.pdf https://ags.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Lot01143.pdf https://ags.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Lot02105.pdf https://ags.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Lot0766.pdf 1920 Territory of Hawaii Grant 7565 Pump House Lot to Waipunalei Sugar https://gis.hawaiicounty.gov/public/downloads/plhyperlinks/Grants/7565.pdf 1920 Territory of Hawaii Grant 7565 Oil Pipe Right of Way to Waipunalei Sugar https://gis.hawaiicounty.gov/public/downloads/plhyperlinks/Grants/7800.pdf Hawaii Statewide GIS Portal: Ahupuaʻa  https://geoportal.hawaii.gov/datasets/ahupuaa/explore?location=19.817861%2C-155.099478% 2C15.99   DLNR Na Ala Hele, Ancient, Historic, and Old Government Trails and Roads in Hawaii Summary of Pertinent Law https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/files/2013/09/Highways-Act-Summary.pdf State Of Hawaii DLNR Ookala Community Forest Stewarship Hilo Forest Reserve 2016 https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/C-1.pdf PONC 2016 Annual Report to Mayor, Pg 56 Kaawalii Prior Nomination 2006/7/15 https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/1/edoc/84678/2016-12-28%20(2016%20PONC%2 0Annual%20Report%20to%20the%20Mayor).pdf Mauna Kea Kuahiwi Ku Haʻo I Ka Mālie A Report on Archival and Historical Documentary Research Ahupuaʻa of Humuʻula and Kaʻohe Districts of Hilo and Hāmākua 1997 Kepā Maly Kumu Pono Associates https://www.kumupono.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Mauna Kea Kuahiwi Ku Hao i ka Malie KPA02 0827-4.pdf Humuʻula and Piʻihonua, Lands that Adorn the Chiefs on the Mountain Lands of Hawaii), Maly 2004 Kumu Pono Associates https://www.kumupono.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2004 03 31 Humuula-Piihonua- Hilo-Hawaii-PDF.pdf Hilo Paliku: Hilo of the Upright Cliffs: A Study of the Cultural-Historical Resources of Lands in the Laupahoehoe Forest Section, Maly https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/files/2013/07/Cultural-Historical-Report-Lapahoehoe.pdf Mauna Kea Ka Piko Kaulana O Ka ʻĀina, Kumu Pono Associates, Maly https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/files/2013/07/HiMK67- OMKM-033005b pt7.pdf 19 Ulukau Community Resource Portal https://ulukau.org/, Heiau of Hawaii, Thrum 1908 Bird, I. 1875 Six Months in the Sandwich Islands. University of Hawaii Press 1966. https://archive.org/details/hawaiiarchipel00bird/page/n9/mode/2up Journal of William Ellis 1823, Hawaiian Gazette Co 1917. https://archive.org/details/journalofwilliam000434mbp Division of Hawaii Aquatic Resources Hawaii Watershed Atlas DAR Kaʻawaliʻi Hawaii 82002 https://www.hawaiiwatershedatlas.com/watersheds/hawaii/82002.pdf State of Hawaii, DLNR Commission on Water Resource Management https://files.hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm/publishedreports/R84 HSA.pdf https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/cwrm/surfacewater/ifs/hawaii/ Mauna Kea Watershed Management Plan 2010, Carolyn Stewart Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/1/edoc/138477/FINAL%20Mauna%20Kea%20Wat ershed%20Mgt%20Plan%20April%202010.pdf Hawaii State Water Resource Protection Plan 2019 Kaʻawaliʻi Stream Code 8083 https://files.hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm/planning/wrpp2019update/WRPP ALL 201907.pdf Hawaii State Water Resource Protection Plan 20o8 Kaʻawaliʻi Stream Code 8083 https://files.hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm/planning/wrpp2008update/FINAL WRPP Sect03.pdf DHHL `Āina Mauna Legacy Program https://hookuleana.com/projects/aina-mauna-legacy-program/ Akau, North Hilo (Hilo Palikū) Coastal Fishery Assemblages  https://dspace.lib.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/81542a35-99c1-4684-9262-80a4735 41fd9/content   Division of Aquatic Resources Home Page  https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/habitat/about-streams/cultural-importance/   Satellite Tracking of Hawksbill Turtles Nesting in the Hawaiian Islands 2000  https://georgehbalazs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Balazs etal ConfProc p279 2000. pdf   Hamakua Community Development Plan 2018 Section 4 pg 54-77 https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/1/edoc/135215/County%20of%20Hawaii%20-%20 Hamakua%20Community%20Development%20Plan%20(2018).pdf 1901 Hawaii Territory Survey, village of Humuʻula https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/items/f45986fd-112e-4887-b791-31a979ef9243 State of Hawaii DOT Rockfall EA Protection 2010 & 2016 https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/EA EIS Library/2010-07-08-HA-FEA-Hawaii-Belt-Road- Rockfall-Maulua.pdf https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/EA EIS Library/2016-07-23-HA-DEA-Belt-Road-Rockfall- Protection.pdf 20 22 23 24 25 HUI KAKOʻO O LAUPAHOEHOE DRAFT Stewardship Plan The plan below presents a process to develop a comprehensive community driven stewardship plan of the lower reaches of Kaʻawaliʻi Stream. Hui Kaʻkoʻo O Laupāhoehoe is willing to spearhead the stewardship of Kaʻawaliʻi with support from community centered organizations such as the Laupahoehoe Train Museum, HuiMAU, Makahanaloa Fishing, and others. The long-term vision for Kaʻawaliʻi would include continued community access to the natural and cultural resources of the area particularly the stream and shoreline, increased trail maintenance and safety measures for the general public and visitors such as signage, and forest and shoreline resource management. We see Kaʻawaliʻi as a community driven space with deep cultural connections that fosters a sense of aloha ʻāina and continues to feed our ʻohana both spiritually and physically. With this acquisition the Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School students will have the added benefit of using their applied learning skills to practice and There are some concrete areas of environmental and community stewardship that the Hui Kaʻkoʻo O Laupāhoehoe anticipates and offers in detailed outline within the following sections. Community consultation, mapping, planning Conduct community focused group meetings at LCPCS school to gather input for the vision and scope of restoration and management and community use of the area.  Identify a core group of stakeholders for continued stewardship, inviting descendants of the area, kūpuna, and residents of the immediate and surrounding areas. Gather data, identify themes, and report back to the community. Survey the area to develop a map of natural and cultural resources including endangered plant and animal species and significant habitats, historic structures for preservation, and proposed spaces in line with the community vision. Develop stewardship plan in detail and budget incorporating feedback from the community meetings, stakeholders, the County and other relevant government agencies. Managed Access and Safety Identify and manage historical accesses with ongoing maintenance. This includes maintenance of trails and mowing of grass. Identify possible community safety hazards including parking issues, visitor traffic safety and dead or fallen debris. Create and install signage in collaboration with relevant government agencies i.e. signage to inform visitors of the hazards of swimming in certain areas, etc. Restoration and Management of Native Ecosystems, Forests, and Fisheries Develop fisheries and planting recommendations to incorporate into a stewardship plan. Clean up rubbish along the trails, stream, beach and uplands section.  Install fencing in strategic areas to limit pig damage, and pig control within the valley through active trapping. Control of invasive Little Fire Ant (LFA) infestation.  Identify and improve native plant habitats and removal of invasive plants. Host school and community Aloha ʻĀina days to build relationships to place and history through active stewardship, including agriculture and agroforestry to restore ecosystem health and feed the community through cultural stewardship and recreation. 26 27 28 29 PROPOSED WAIKAUMALO–MAULUA (NINOLE COMMUNITY HUB) Agricultural Support & Essential Services Presented by: Toledo Investments LLC For: Hāmākua Community Development Plan Action Committee Public Meeting #5 – February 4, 2026 Communication No. 2026-07 1. Introduction & Purpose Who We Are Toledo Investments LLC is a Hawaiʻi-based development company focused on rural, community-serving projects that support agriculture, local families, and long-term regional resilience. Why We’re Here Tonight We are requesting Action Committee support for a small-scale, agriculture-support community hub at: 32-988 Hawaiʻi Belt Road (TMK 3-2-0-030-060-0000) This presentation is conceptual, community-driven, and early-stage. 2. Alignment with Hāmākua CDP Priorities This project directly supports Hāmākua CDP goals, including: ● ✔ Support for agriculture & homesteaders ● ✔ Reduction of long-distance travel for basic services ● ✔ Rural economic development without urban sprawl ● ✔ Local job creation ● ✔ Community resilience & food security This is not a regional shopping center — it is a service node designed around agricultural needs. 3. Site Overview Parcel Information ● Address: 32-988 Hawaiʻi Belt Road ● Land Area: 2.233 acres (~97,269 SF) ● Tax Class: Agricultural ● Project Name: Waikaumalo–Maulua Homesteads Why This Location Works ● Existing highway access ● Serves both local residents and pass-through traffic ● Centrally located for ag users ● Scalable without overdevelopment 4. Community Hub Concept (What Is Being Proposed) A compact, low-impact, phased community hub focused on essential services: Proposed Uses ● Fuel station (diesel + gas) ● Mini-mart / convenience & ag supplies ● Postal / package services ● Potable water refill station ● Ice production & sales ● Shared commercial kitchens (value-added ag) ● Laundromat (workers, families, farmers) 5. Why These Services Matter (Community Impact) Real-world issues this solves: ● Farmers/community members driving 30–60 minutes for diesel or ice ● No nearby water refill for ag operations ● Limited access to certified kitchens ● Workers lacking nearby laundry facilities ● Mail/package access gaps in rural zones This hub = time saved, costs reduced, safety improved. 6. Commercial Kitchens – Ag Value Add Purpose ● Allow farmers to process, package, and sell products locally ● Support cottage → wholesale transition ● Preserve local food traditions Examples ● Sauces, preserves, dried fruits ● Meat processing (non-slaughter) ● Food trucks & farmers market vendors 7. Zoning & Permitting Philosophy ● Work collaboratively with Planning Department ● Use permits or special permits only where required ● Phased approvals to reduce community risk ● Traffic, water, and wastewater managed conservatively 8. Phased Development Phase 1 – Essential Services ● Fuel ● Water & ice ● Mini-mart Phase 2 – Community Support ● Postal services ● Laundry ● Commercial kitchen Phase 3 – Ag Expansion ● Additional kitchens ● Farm supply components ● Small gathering space 9. Traffic, Scale & Character What This Is NOT ● ❌ Not a big-box ● ❌ Not nightlife or bars ● ❌ Not strip retail ● ❌ Not destination shopping What This IS ● ✔ Daytime, utilitarian use ● ✔ Low building height ● ✔ Rural design aesthetic ● ✔ Local-serving scale 10. What We Are Asking From the Committee Tonight, Toledo Investments LLC is respectfully requesting a letter of support for the development of a small-scale, agriculture-support community hub, which will require changing the current zoning from agricultural to commercial. Testimony rec'd 2/1/26 9:21 AM Febrnary 1, 2026 Regarding: Written testimony for the Wednesday Febrnary 4 Hamakua CDP Action Committee in support of items 3 and 4 in IV-Business From: Ed Johnston, Kahua, Pepe'ekeo #3-Please kokua, I strongly support the Action Committee to offer mahalo nui loa to Na 'Aina Kai for their patience and support of the PONC acquisition of the Kawainui makai property. #4-Please, also Support the effort for Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) Nominations by submitting letters of support for PONC nominations: • Haina Makai • Ka' awali' i Gulch. The Ka'awali'i currently has no legal shoreline access for eitl1er the general public or Native Hawaiians. Even considering tl1at in 1991 the State of Hawai'i DLNR allowed this Conservation Land to be developed into a house site. No public access of any kind was included in tl1e Conditions. The pebble beach provides safe fishing and recreation. Haina Makai is tl1e epidemy of "open space" and so close to tl1e neighborhoods of Honoka'a where seaside access is a sought after recreational wish list. The visionary concept of creating a food forest environment with support from Honoka'a High adds incentive. Testimony Rec'd 2/1/26 7:28 PM 1 Lahip, Jessica From:Christy Sent:Sunday, February 1, 2026 7:59 PM To:Planning CDP Subject:Fwd: Zoning change 32-988 Hawaii Belt road - Toledo letter of support Follow Up Flag:Follow up Flag Status:Flagged Hi Jessica, I wasn’t sure if you needed this before the 2/4 meeting but I got letters of support from some of the immediate neighbors of the property I’m looking to rezone. Below is an email from one of them. I have a couple more I’ll send to you as well. Mahalo, Christy Begin forwarded message: From: Richard Toledo Date: January 26, 2026 at 3:55:18 PM PST To: CHRISTY TOLEDO change 32-988 Hawaii Belt road To whom it may concern, My name is Richard Toledo and I live on the property adjacent to 32-988 Hawaii Belt road. I am submitting this letter in support of the requested zoning change for 32-988 Hawaii Belt road. I look forward to future progress and am pleased that a family with generations of history in this area, are taking steps to try and ensure themselves and future generations of local raised, and historically present families from the area, have a chance to stay and succeed. Thank you, Richard Toledo Testimony Rec'd 2/1/26 7:59 PM Testimony Rec'd 2/1/26 7:58 PM