HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-3 AC-P&R Support for Pohoiki Swimming Area Project
Communication No. 2013-3
PCDP Action Committee
January 8, 2013
To County of Hawaii Parks & Recreation
The Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee
(PCDP AC) requests that Parks & Recreation write a letter of
support to Russell Ruderman and Faye Hanohano for the study,
planning and development of a safe, legal swimming area at
Isaac Hale Beach Park. Russell Ruderman has expressed
support for this project and will consider proposing a funding
allocation, but wishes to hear from County Parks & Recreation
that they will support this project and administer the funds.
There was a CIP request to Parks & Recreation for a feasibility
study from the Action Committee, but Parks & Recreation has
expressed the need for funding support from the State of
Hawaii in lieu of this CIP request.
The swimming area would be a lagoon created on land (TMK
(3) 1-4-002:008) that is currently owned by the county but
within the State Land Use Conservation district. It could be
developed as part of phase two of the Isaac Hale Beach Park.
Please see attached map for the potential location. A funding
allocation of $150,000 (or an amount the state deems
appropriate) would allow the hiring of a shoreline consultant.
This consultant would design and plan the swimming area in
consultation with the appropriate agencies and the community
groups. Subcontracting could be done as needed with an
engineer and/or planner. An effort would be made to go
inland as much as possible for the swimming area to facilitate
construction and permitting. Once the design is completed,
the consultant would start the permitting process and create a
budget for the construction of the swimming area. When
there is a budget, further allocation from the State of Hawaii
for construction of the swimming area would be needed.
Communication No. 2013-3
The development of the swimming area has widespread
community support. Hundreds of residents have signed a
petition in support including swimmers, surfers, fishermen and
local landowners. There is a community group, Friends of
Pohoiki, spearheaded by Luana Jones, which has been
advocating for a safe, legal swimming area for many years.
Greggor Ilagan and Zendo Kern have voiced their support. The
swimming area would not encroach on any areas being used by
the surfers or fishermen.
As you are probably aware, the current situation is unsafe,
illegal and is quite hazardous for the boaters as well as
swimmers. The Pohoiki Boat Ramp, under DLNR jurisdiction, is
the only boat ramp in Puna. The boat ramp is also the easiest
ocean access for swimmers and surfers within the county park.
In fact, it is the only area for ocean swimming in all of Puna
that is in a county park with facilities. On a Sunday afternoon,
there can be upwards of 100 people, most of them keiki,
swimming around the boat ramp. This situation makes
accessing the boat ramp extremely hazardous with an elevated
potential for conflicts and accidents, for the boater, the boat
and the swimmers.
If you have any questions, need further support or information,
please contact us.