HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-18 Kuuleinani Steinke Support TestimonyFrom:Kuuleinani Steinke
To:Planning LPC Testimony
Cc:Nanette
Subject:Application #PL-SPP-2026-000128
Date:Tuesday, August 18, 2026 6:24:47 PM
Support for Special Use Permit Application #PL-SPP-2026-000128 — Kona AerialsGymnastics Facility
To Chair Dean Au and the Members of the Department of Planning Commission
Dear Members of the Department of Planning Commission,
I am writing as a parent, a member of the Kona community, and a mother of a young NativeHawaiian athlete to respectfully ask the Department of Planning Commission to approveSpecial Use Permit Application #PL-SPP-2026-000128 for the Kona Aerials gymnasticsfacility, located at 75-438 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
This application represents more than simply allowing a business to operate on agriculturalland. It represents an opportunity to preserve an important resource for the children and
families of our community.
Kona Aerials is currently the only gymnastics facility in Kona.
Sport opportunities for children are already incredibly limited here on the Big Island. Wesimply do not have the same access to athletic facilities and organized sports that larger
communities have. Because of this, I believe there is an especially strong responsibility topreserve the sports facilities and programs that we do have—not create additional barriers that
could force them to close.
I see this challenge firsthand as a parent. My older sons play club soccer, and it is incredibly
difficult to find adequate field space for their teams to practice. Coaches and families areconstantly trying to work around limited field availability and a shortage of appropriate sports
facilities.
Our children should not have to lose opportunities because our island does not have enough
places for them to participate.
That is why I believe approving PL-SPP-2026-000128 is so important.
My five-year-old daughter, Airi, is one of the children who benefits directly from KonaAerials. Airi is Native Hawaiian and is currently the youngest gymnast on the Kona Aerials
competition team. She only began gymnastics less than a year ago, but in that short amount oftime, gymnastics has become an incredibly meaningful part of her life.
At just five years old, Airi is already learning lessons that extend far beyond gymnastics. Sheis learning discipline, perseverance, confidence, strength, responsibility, and what it means to
work toward something that does not come easily. She has learned to face challenges,overcome fear, make mistakes, get back up, and try again.
As her mother, I have watched her grow tremendously since she started gymnastics. I have
seen the excitement on her face when she learns a new skill and the pride she feels when sheaccomplishes something she has worked so hard for. I have also watched her develop
friendships and a sense of belonging within the gymnastics community.
For Airi and so many other children, Kona Aerials is not simply a place to participate in an
extracurricular activity. It is a place where our keiki can grow.
I respectfully ask that the Commission consider the unique community benefit provided by
this facility and the very real consequences of not approving this application.
There is already so little space and so few facilities for youth sports on the Big Island. There is
no room for another sports facility to be forced to shut down when families are alreadystruggling to find places for their children to train, practice, and compete.
Approving this Special Use Permit would allow Kona Aerials to continue providing a safe,structured, and positive environment for local children while allowing the County to establish
appropriate conditions to address legitimate land-use concerns.
I respectfully ask the Commission to look beyond the property itself and consider the children
who depend on the opportunities provided there.
Consider Airi—the five-year-old girl who has only been doing gymnastics for less than a year
and has already worked hard enough to earn a place on the competition team.
Consider the other young gymnasts who walk through those doors every week.
Our island already has limited resources for youth athletics. We should be protecting andexpanding opportunities for our keiki, not taking them away.
I sincerely ask the Department of Planning Commission to approve Special Use PermitApplication #PL-SPP-2026-000128 and allow Kona Aerials to continue serving the children
and families of the Kona community.
There has to be a way to balance responsible land use with the very real needs of the families
and children who live here. I believe approving this application is an important step towarddoing exactly that.
Thank you for taking the time to consider the perspective of a parent and, most importantly,the impact this decision will have on our children.
Please approve PL-SPP-2026-000128 and give Airi and the many other children who lovegymnastics the opportunity to continue learning, growing, and pursuing something they love
right here in their community.
Mahalo,
Kuuleinani Steinke
Mother of Airi
Kona Aerials GymnastKailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi