Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 14, 2024

A 24-year old visitor drowned after begin swept away from the shore after jumping off the South Point cliff in the hoist area on Saturday morning. His three companions made it back to shore. See more below. Photo by Peter Anderson

DR. KIMO ALAMEDA OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED HIS CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR Saturday night, following months of community meetings across the island, including rallies in Nāʻālehu, Waimea, and Kona. He held a community rally Saturday night at Wailoa State Park, where he emphasized his connection with the Big Island and its people. "This place, and all of its wonderful and diverse people, helped shape me into the person I am today," Alameda told more than 300 in the audience. "And like so many of you, I want to make sure that this island can continue to shape the lives of our children and grandchildren, so that they can sustain and perpetuate our local culture and identity. Our campaign is an expression of gratitude and aloha for our island, our culture, and our people."
   

Kimo Alameda says its official, after months of events around the island to prepare to run for Mayor of this county. Photo from Friends of Kimo Alameda

Educated as a counselor and psychologist, with a PD., Alameda worked at state Department of Health as a mental health specialist and later as director of Office of Health Equity. In 2015, he entered county government as the Executive of the Office of Aging under Mayors Billy Kenoi and Harry Kim before becoming CEO of the non-profit Bay Clinic Health Center. He most recently served as vice president of business development for the newly-formed Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center, one of the largest federally-qualified health centers in the state.
    "I have always been dedicated to building strong, healthy, and resilient communities. And this campaign is an extension of that dedication. Ultimately, I want to bring my passion and commitment to our county government and serve the people of Hawaiʻi Island. As I have said before, we have an opportunity to bring the spirit of aloha back to our local government."
    In his announcement, Alameda outlined his priorities of "Live, Work, and Play." He highlighted lack of attainable housing as a key issue of his campaign. "My goal is to build a Hawaiʻi where people can get educated, find good jobs, raise their families, and enjoy this beautiful ʻāina that we've been blessed with.""Why is the county getting in the way of us building an additional dwelling on property we already

Dr. Kimo Alameda at his official kick-off party on Saturday to launch his bid for Mayor of County of Hawai'i. Photo from Friends of Kimo Alameda

own?... Our kids don't want to move far away... if they could, they would move out of their parents' house and live right in the back. I know because I have seven of um and three of um said they would."
    In a statement before the rally, Alameda expressed his excitement for the coming race, saying "This election goes beyond ideas. I will continue to share my vision with communities all over our county, and I look forward to engaging with everyone who cares about this island and wants to see County government start working for all of us again."
    Alameda and his wife Star reside in Hilo with seven children and one grandchild. More information on Alameda and his candidacy can be found at www.kimoformayor.com.

     Mayor Mitch Roth launched his campaign for reelection last Thursday.

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NEW PLANS FOR THE OLD SEAMOUNTAIN RESORT AT PUNALU'U include an introductory statement on the application for a Special Management Area permit that is now before the Windward Planning Commission with a public hearing expected in March. 

    The project, called Punalu'u Village, would put about 223 new accommodations on the 335 acres below Hwy 11 and create restaurants, retail outlets, a Wellness Center, events and sports venues, golf course improvements and parking lots to accommodate them. Some of the commercial plans are adjacent to the Black Sand Beach and pond. Accommodations are set back a quarter mile. The proposal emphasizes that it is different from failed earlier plans, some of them aiming to build some 2,000 units, many of them close to the shoreline.

   The introductory statement says that the President and Chief Executive Officer of applicant Black Sand Beach, LLC, Eva Liu, "has spent many months living part-time on the project site at the Colony I condominium complex, acquainting herself with members of various local community organizations, businesses and individuals in order to understand the importance of these lands and the hopes and needs of various communities within the Kaʻū District, and the concerns of people who have kuleana within the immediate area." It says that her many interactions with the community have made the following messages abundantly clear:

    "Take sincere steps towards correcting the neglect that has occurred on these lands over many decades before efforts are made to find other development and economic opportunities within this former resort community;

    "Provide open and transparent lines of communication with the community regarding the intended of use and potential development of these lands.

    "Promote a community-driven, collaborative approach towards defining the type of uses and forms of development within Punaluʻu that would best compliment the valued resources that make Punaluʻu so special while providing for cultural, historical, recreational and economic opportunities."

    The introduction says that Liu and Black Sand Beach, LLC have "worked diligently towards establishing relationships with kūpuna, residents and various community organizations to seek their collective guidance on how these lands can be properly nurtured as a historical, cultural, environmental and economic resource and find opportunities to sustain it going forward. Ms. Liu has encountered a number of local champions who are willing to guide her and her company towards revitalizing Punaluʻu. But that guidance is conditional upon the Applicant providing and maintaining constant communication with the broader community and especially with those who have kuleana within the project area."

    The statement says that "Another important commitment that the Applicant has made with many in the community is to revitalize Punaluʻu in a measured way, demonstrating what community-based priorities can be accomplished before initiating broader discussions about what can become of the entire 434-acre project site. (The 434 acres include the section of golf course above the highway)."

   The introductory statement 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; working to fix 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."

    Read more about the plan in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.

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A VISITOR DROWNED AFTER JUMPING OFF THE CLIFF AT SOUTH POINT AT THE HOIST on Saturday morning. Until further investigation, Hawai‘i Island police are describing it as a possible drowning involving a 24-year-old man visiting from North Carolina. 

    Ka‘ū District patrol officers responded at approximately 11:23 a.m. to the South Point area after receiving information that several swimmers were in distress. Police determined that three adult males and one female jumped into the ocean at the “hoist” area and experienced difficulties due to rough ocean conditions.

Carson Philbin was a cross country runner and adventurer who on YouTube posted his jump from a ledge above a 105 ft. waterfall on the mainland. The visitor from North Carolina died on Saturday after jumping off the cliff at South Point. In rough  water, he was swept out into the ocean. His friends were assisted  by local bystanders and made it back alive. Image from YouTube

    With the assistance of local by-standers, three of the four distressed swimmers were able to make it safely back to shore. However, one of the swimmers was swept further out to sea. A witness reported seeing the swimmer approximately 75 yards off shore before going under.
   Through the search efforts of local fisherman and the Hawai‘i Fire Department, fire personnel were able to locate the body of the swimmer, who was later pronounced dead after being transported to Hilo Medical Center.
   He is identified as Carson Philbin of Charlotte, North Carolina.
    An autopsy is ordered to determine exact cause of death and the investigation remains ongoing. Hawai‘i Police Department is asking anyone who has any information regarding this incident to please contact Ka‘ū Patrol Officer Paul Wright III at (808) 939-2520..

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TRAINING TO HELP FARMERS WITH MENTAL HEALTH is available through Seeds of Wellbeing, University of Hawai'i and other sponsors. The application deadline is Monday.
    The Seeds of Wellbeing team is accepting applications for Cohort 3 of Hawai'i Ag Mental Health Mentors on each island to serve Hawai'i's agriculture community. Recruited mentors will receive a $500 stipend (+250 for inter-island travel to Oʻahu for in-person training) after completing 8 hours of online training + 6 hours of in-person training, and a mandatory 1-hour online orientation. All trainings are mandatory and must be completed by March 15th to receive a stipend.
    Training Dates are: Orientation on Jan. 18 at 4 p.m.; QPR (Suicide Prevention) on Jan. 25 from 7-8:30 a.m.;  Elemental Guidance- Service Provider Webinar Training- Date TBD; Mental Health First Aid- Date TBD (6 hours in-person on Oʻahu + 2 hours online); and Cool Mind, Main Thing (two versions)- Self  -Paced Online Modules. See the application at https://forms.gle/tMcy7XM4SJbcggyD6
    Seeds of Wellbeing website: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/sow-well/

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