Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021

     The Black Sand Beach application to the Planning Director, with an estimated cost of under $500,000, says, "The method behind this approach is about: first understanding the importance of these lands and the surrounding communities, and the people who live within; fixing what has been neglected or improperly managed over many years; and building a future for these lands in a collaborative manner so that it benefits the entire community with an emphasis on preserving what makes Punaluʻu so special."

The old restaurant and museum area are dilapidated, fenced off and subject of a Special Management Area minor  permit request by its owner to clean it up, along with a proposal to establish a nearby Open Market. Photo by Julia Neal

    The introduction to the permit request says, "This Special Management Area Use Permit Assessment application is the initial filing by the Applicant with the County representing just one of many steps to be taken towards the collective revitalization of these lands. What may be viewed by some as a segmented or fractured approach towards the review of proposed land use activities within the Special Management Area, is viewed by the Applicant and many in the community as a measured, methodical and practical approach towards revitalizing these important and sacred lands."

    The application explains the SMA permit requirement: "While the approximately 434-acre project site straddles both sides of the Mamalahoa Highway, that portion located makai of the highway is situated
within the County’s Special Management Area. Furthermore, given that the project site has direct frontage with the shoreline, the Applicant is filing this application to identify the many responsibilities and activities that it must undertake in order to property manage these lands in accordance with the regulations and requirements of the County’s SMA."

     The application reviews some history of development at Punalu'u, noting "the project site was once known and operated as Sea Mountain at Punaluʻu and is host to an 18-hole golf course, its clubhouse facilities, a tennis center, the former Punaluʻu Restaurant and its related support facilities and infrastructural systems. Within the project site but not a part of this application is the existing 76-unit Colony I condominium complex and a number of kuleana that are situated makai of Ninole Loop Road adjacent to the Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and the Beach Park complex, which is located within the project site but maintained and operated by the County. 

Read all of The Kaʻū Calendar and back issues at www.kaucalendar.com.  Find it in the mail from Volcanothrough Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, Ocean View to Miloli'i. Pick it up from newsstands.

    "The approximately 434-acre project site extends from the Mamalahoa Highway down to the shoreline, and across the ahupuaʻa of Ninole, Wailau and Punaluʻu. While the extent of existing development as reflected in the 1988 Final Environmental Impact Statement is basically what still exists on the ground." The proposal states that the condition of much of these facilities has "rendered them unsafe and unusable and requires much investment in manpower, money and community resources in order to rehabilitate the project site into what is typically expected of an ocean-front community.

      "New components, like the proposed Open Market and Welcome Center are to stimulate community-based activities and opportunities that will support the cultural, historical, recreational and daily needs of existing residents with kuleana land in Punaluʻu, the residents of Colony I condominium, and the many residents and visitors who seek out Punaluʻu to experience the specialness of these lands. The proposed activities and improvements presented within this application represents a continuing investment in the repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure, support facilities and grounds with a relatively small investment in new amenities like the Open Market and Welcome Center that will support and enhance the area for both residents and visitors. 

    "While the overall project site abuts the shoreline, the Applicant is requesting that the need for a certified shoreline survey to support this application be waived since no new improvements or uses are contemplated anywhere near the shoreline. The proposed Open Market will be located on the mauka side of Ninole Loop Road about 200 feet from the shoreline and the proposed Welcome Center will be situated about 1,500 feet from the shoreline."

        Read more in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs. See the complete SMA application to the county at http://kaucalendar.com/news/SMAABlack_Sands_10_2021.pdf.

THE COP26 CLIMATE CONFERENCE is the destination of Gov. David Ige who leaves for Glasgow, Scotland on Wednesday. The conference began Oct. 31 and Hawai'i's governor will participate beginning Nov. 6.  A statement from the governor's offices says, "Gov. Ige will join heads of state, climate experts and others for perhaps the most consequential climate conference since the adoption of the Paris Agreement. COP26 will focus on accelerating progress toward achieving the goals set in the Paris Agreement. 

    "Gov. Ige is scheduled to participate in about 10 events over six days. They include panel discussions and speaking engagements at a variety of COP26 events such as Mobilizing Global State and Regional Leadership on Net Zero Ambition. Gov. Ige will also be sharing Hawaiʻi's success with the Hawaiʻi Clean Energy Initiative – achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2045."

  The governor attends COP26 with two members of his cabinet, Department of Land & Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case and state Energy Office Chief Energy Officer Scott Glenn. Also accompanying the governor is one staff member and security personnel.
    Attorney General Claire Connors will serve as acting governor while Ige is traveling. Lt. Gov. Josh Green will assume the role of acting governor upon his return to Hawaiʻi on Nov. 11. The governor returns from Scotland on Saturday, Nov. 13.

UN Climate Change Conference will welcome Gov. David Ige to Glasgow, Scotland this week to participate in panels and give talks on Hawai'i's Clean Energy  Initiatives and mobilizing leadership. Image from NDTV

Check in on the Climate Conference at: https://unfccc.int/conference/glasgow-climate-change-conference-october-november-2021

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

STATE OF HAWAI'I WILL BECOME ALIGNED WITH FEDERAL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL COVID RULES on Nov. 8. Gov. David Ige announced today that non-U.S. citizens traveling directly to Hawaiʻi from an international destination must present vaccination records and a negative COVID-19 test result (NAAT or antigen) within three days of boarding a flight to the United States.
    U.S. citizens flying directly to Hawaiʻi from an international destination have two options: Fully vaccinated travelers must provide proof of vaccination and present a test taken within three days of boarding flight to U.S.; or travelers not fully vaccinated must provide proof of negative COVID-19 test result within one day of boarding flight to the U.S.

    The governor announced that there will be no additional State of Hawaiʻi requirements for passengers flying directly into Hawaiʻi from an international destination. The airlines will screen passengers prior to their departure to the U.S. If foreign passengers fail to meet both requirements and if U.S. citizens fail to meet one of the two requirements, they will not be allowed to board the flight. Once in Hawaiʻi, the CDC will conduct compliance checks.
    He noted that tests do not have to be done with Trusted Travel Partners under the new international federal requirements, but they must be done with a Trusted Travel Partner for unvaccinated domestic travel.
    Also starting Nov. 8, international passengers entering Hawai'i from another state or territory The Safe Travels Hawaiʻi program remains in place for domestic travelers. Current Safe Travels Hawaiʻi requirements for domestic travelers include: Creating a Safe Travels Hawaiʻi account on a digital device; entering trip details; filling out a health form, and attesting that all information is correct.
    Currently, travelers may bypass the state's mandatory 10-day quarantine in one of two ways: Upload a vaccination document; or upload a negative NAAT test result. The test must be taken by a Trusted Travel Partner (TTP) within 72 hours of departure for the State of Hawaiʻi.
    Also, beginning on Nov. 8, the State of Hawaiʻi, in alignment with the federal government, will accept vaccines approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and vaccines listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization. A list of currently accepted vaccines is posted on the CDC's website.
   The governor said, "Thanks to the people of Hawaiʻi for their patience and for taking precautions to keep our communities safe. Our state continues to see one of the lowest incidences of COVID-19 and death rates related to the virus. As more and more people are vaccinated, we are moving to ease pandemic mitigation measures – including travel restrictions – in a way that ensures the health and safety of our communities."