HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Access Group Notes - MarchNorth Kohala Community Access Group
March 1, 2017 (Old State Courthouse 4:30pm)
Participants: Joe Carvalho, Carter Collins, Meredith Speicher, David Tarnas, Keith Wallis, Jack
Hoyt, Ted Hon, Beth Robinson, Toni Withington, Margot McFedries, Aric Arakaki, Ted Matsuda.
•'• Rails to Trails
• ➢ Meredith & a group of us did a walk on the old railroad from Mahukona to Kapaa.
➢ Meredith is working on identifying ownership of different portions of the old railroad.
➢ Na Ala Hele may be interested in participating on this trail project.
➢ Meredith is still working on a feasibility study on this trail project.
➢ Ala Kaha Kai NPS trail ends at Upolu.
■ We need to apply to NPS if we want to continue the NPS trail going east with connector
trails.
❖ Pololu Lookout
➢ On February 16th, a core group attended the Na Ala Hele Advisory Council meeting in
Waimea.
■ The core group expressed the following concerns.
o The condition of the trail
o This is a historic trail, maybe they can work with Ala Kahakai NPS.
o The need for toilets & signs (even international languages)
o Campsite conditions.
♦ DOCARE should do enforcement of squatters.
■ DLNR personnel will hike & review the trail & signage.
•'• Akoakoa Point
• ➢ Some people of our group made a site visit on February 7th with Pono Pacific personnel.
■ They exchanged ideas on restoration & erosion mitigation from the Upolu airport
restoration project.
❖ Hapu'u — Kapanaia
➢ We need an update from the county on PONC purchase of this area.
➢ Squatters are on lands owned by Misty Kai.
•'• Halelua
• ➢ Some of this property is being listed for sale.
•'• Kauhola Point
• ➢ NSTR (nothing substantial to report).
•'• Ainakea
➢ Some of the properties that were in escrow have closed.
■ Toni is working on updating a map of the current access trail.
•'• Pahoa Beach
• ➢ NSTR.
❖ Upolu Airport East
➢ NSTR.
❖ Upolu Airport Restoration
➢ Ala Kahakai NPS has a program to have students intern (ages 17 -20 -year-old as interns & 21
years old and older as leader positions) and work with Kupu on specific restoration practices.
■ NPS has asked Kohala Lihikai to work with Kupu on summer projects in June and July.
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❖ Puakea Bay Ranch
➢ Na Ala Hele wants our North Kohala Community access group to set up a meeting with the
owners, Puakea Bay owners association, & government agencies to mitigate the trail.
❖ Lamalaloa - South of Lapakahi
➢ NSTR
•'• Kaiholena
• HILT (Hawaii Island Land Trust) sponsored a hike on the existing trail with Ala Kaha Kai
Trail Association & Emau Na Ala Hele.
•'• Kaupalaoa
• ➢ NSTR
❖ Kohala Shoreline LLC
➢ Need update from Planning Department.
■ The Environmental Assessment.
❖ Kohala Kai
➢ Ala Kahakai NPS has the conservation easement negotiations on hold at this time.
❖ Kohala Waterfront
➢ Need update from the county.
❖ New Items
➢ Senate bill 709 concerning Na Ala Hele budget.
■ Would like to get the budget backup to $2.2 million and up to $3.4 million by 2021.
➢ Kohala Lions Club is sponsoring a cleanup day at Pololu lookout.
Joe will let us know the date & time.
❖ Next meeting
➢ April 5, 2017 starting 4:30pm at Old State Courthouse.
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