Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, April 23, 2021

       A number of Kaʻū community members testified against funding the acquisition, saying they didn't expect development to take the land and that they want Kiolakaʻa to be preserved and stewarded by an entity exclusive to Kaʻū. The Ala Kahakai Trail Association is comprised of folks from Kaʻū and communities, with similar land development challenges, all along the trail from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to North Kohala. 

     Opponents of the funding have noted that many kūpuna in ʻ have successfully worked to to deter such projects as Spaceports near Pāhala and at South Point, a prison in Wood Valley, SpinLaunch below Ocean View and resort development of Punaluʻu. 

Stewarding will include trash cleanup along the the shore. Photo from ATA

       The majority of testimony, however, was in favor of acquiring Kiolakaʻa from the real estate investor, to preserve the property in perpetuity. Among those testifying in favor of the funding were members of the Ala Kahakai Trail Association's Kaʻū Stewardship Committee, called Hui O Waikapuna. The group is comprised of Shalan Crysdale, Michelle Galimba, Pelehonuamea Harman, Nohealani Kaʻawa, Ka‘ohi Mokuhali‘i, Megan Lamson, Leilani Rodrigues and Jodie Rosam. Their testimony summed up many of the points made by those who said they want to conserve the Kaʻū Coast. They asked for the funding "to to ensure that this ʻāīna is protected for future generations." ATA has already become steward of the Kaʻū Coast property of Waikapuna." 
    The Stewardship Committee wrote: "The cultural and conservation values of Kiolakaʻa are countless, and the wealth of ʻike within this ʻāina is unfathomable. With protected land from Honuʻapo to Ka Lae and beyond, it would be a tragedy to lose Kiolakaʻa to development and fragment the continuous open space of this portion of Kaʻū’s coastline and lowlands.

    "The Kiolaka‘a ahupua‘a is in the middle of a 17-mile stretch of coastline from Ka Lae to Pohina Pali (at Honu‘apo Bay) that is rich with rare and endangered species, an anchialine pool complex, and numerous cultural sites. There are relatively few places that exist in Hawai‘i today that can boast such a diverse coastal and lowland plant community, as many of the other areas that were once abundant in native flora are now covered with concrete, condos, and private houses. Due to its isolation and surrounding lava flows, this region which includes the embayment and historic fishpond at Ka‘alu‘alu, has become a haven for native plants and animals alike, amidst a tapestry of archeological sites that reveal a long storied history and deep cultural significance.

A pre-pandemic visit to the Kaʻū Coast to assess the valuation of preservation. Photo from ATA

    "Hui o Waikapuna recognizes that community-based management is essential when it comes to ʻāina that has such a multitude of resources on which our community depends. It takes expertise and a deep sense of place-based knowledge, and invaluable qualities are found within our Kaʻū community and community organizations. Ala Kahakai Trail Association respects and recognizes that, and our Hui o Waikapuna has witnessed it first-hand.
    "Since the initial Board meeting on January 22nd, 2021, the Ala Kahakai Trail Association (in close partnership with our Hui) has done extensive community outreach. They have hosted well-attended community outreach meetings via zoom to share updates, get feedback, and address concerns. They have reached out and offered to have socially distanced in-person meetings. They have met with others who are opposed. They have apologized and asked for forgiveness for any offense they may have caused. They have listened to our community and learned from these experiences. When community members began to spread rumors and misinformation about ATA, ATA worked with us to draft a frequently asked questions document and distribute it to our community so people could be empowered with factual information.

Exploring the Ala Kahakai Trail in  Kaʻū. Photo from Big Island Video News

    "When concerns were raised about access to Waikapuna, they made sure to recruit a liaison, within the Kaʻū community, who can help make arrangements and accommodate kūpuna requests. When concerns were raised about the need for inclusion of certain Kaʻū organizations or families in the process and management plan, they did so without hesitation. When concerns were raised about ATA’s board members not being 'born and raised in Kaʻū,' they recruited a new board member, Nohealani Kaʻawa, who is born and raised here." The statement says ATA plans to add more Kaʻū board members in the future.

    "When further concerns were raised regarding some community members’ wishes that it be a Kaʻū-based nonprofit that own these lands, ATA agreed that once an able nonprofit organization was ready to fulfill the State and County requirements of the grant agreement and the conservation easement, ATA would work with them to request State and County approval to transfer the deed and title to that nonprofit.

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A NIGHT DIVER AT KAMILO DIED. The report from Hawaiʻi Fire Department this morning said the 59-year old man was found, unresponsive on the beach, Dead on Arrival. The Fire Department reported using Brush Truck 11 to reach the site on the Kaʻū Coast. Fire units from Pāhala and Nāʻālehu and Hawaiʻi Police Department responded to the remote shoreline. "Utilized smaller off-road capable vehicle to access 5.5 miles of dirt and rocky road." The report says the "male party was night diving in a group and lost contact with others. Found later in tide pool and brought to shore prior to HFD arrival. Patient assessed at scene, turned over to HPD." HFD reported the conditions were a sandy beach front with tidal pools and exposed reef with two to three foot height of constant, choppy wave action."

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