HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-2 AC-Hanohan&Ruderman Pohoiki Funding
Communication No. 2012-2
PCDP Action Committee
January 8, 2013
To Faye Hanohano and Russell Ruderman,
The Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee
(PCDP AC) would like to request a funding allocation and
support from the State of Hawaii and DLNR to plan and develop
a safe, legal swimming area at Isaac Hale Beach Park. The
County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation has
ʻ
expressed their support for the project, but have stated that
they would need to work in partnership with the State and
DNLR and would need a funding allocation from the State. 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. At that
time, a further allocation for construction of the swimming
area would be needed.
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 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.