Kaʻū News Briefs April 7, 2024

Kumu Hula ui Rick San Nicolas demonstrates Hawaiian featherwork as it was accomplished in ancient times.  Photo from Rick San Nicolas

THE ART OF HAWAIIAN FEATHERWORK will come to After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Artist-in-Residence, Kumu Hula Nui Rick San Nicolas, will give the presentation. It follows his participation in the Merrie Monarch Festival over the last week.
   A Park statement explains that ʻahu ʻula (feather cloak) and mahiole (feather helmet) symbolized the highest rank of the chiefly aliʻi class of ancient Hawaiʻi.     Headlined "Huge community turnout in opposition to proposed Punaluʻu development in Kaʻū," it says,
"On March 7th, hundreds of people showed up to testify before the Hawaiʻi County Windward Planning Commission (WPC) against a Special Management Area Permit application for a proposed resort development surrounding the black sand beach at Punaluʻu in the Kaʻū district. Because the WPC meeting had to end at 5pm, the WPC voted to defer decision-making on the agenda item to their May 2nd meeting agenda.



    "The community first learned of the Special Management Area (SMA) permit application in late January. Almost immediately, community members began to mobilize opposition to the SMA permit application. Sierra Club member Elsa Dedman gave a presentation at the February 19th Hawaiʻi Island Group (HIG) Executive Committee Meeting. Because the Sierra Club has been involved in community opposition to prior attempts to develop this area over the past 40 years, HIG agreed to support the community's efforts through research and logistical support.
    "The Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, which assisted community efforts when a previous project was proposed for the property 18 years ago, will be assisting again, as well.
    "The Center for Biological Diversity subsequently agreed to represent Elsa in filing for a contested case. Two other contested cases have been filed as well. If the WPC approves the SMA permit application, the WPC will then determine whether or not to grant the requests for contested cases.
    "On the weekend before the WPC meeting, Nohealani Kaʻawa and Guy Enriques facilitated the Punaluʻu Rally with 225 community participants in attendance. To date, over 15,000 people have signed the online petition at https://www.thepetitionsite.com/854/086/898/residents-who-oppose-the-resort-in-punaluu-ka%C5%AB/.
    "The community has identified the following issues:
    "The failure to follow past Archaeological Inventory Survey recommendations has resulted in over 100cultural and historic sites being destroyed, which should be a trigger for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). The impact on and protections for cultural resources and traditional and customary practices has not been adequately determined.
    "Numerous sites on the property meet criteria for placement on the State and National Register of Historic Places. The area is eligible for consideration as a Historic District.
    "The wastewater treatment plant and system has become dilapidated to the point it should be replaced, which would be a trigger for a SEIS. The potential for pollution in the nearshore marine environment used by thousands each year is high.
    "The impact on endangered species has not been adequately determined. For instance, Jason Turner, a UH marine biologist has stated, 'Punaluʻu coastline meets the strict criteria needed for the turtles to lay eggs; 1 in 10,000 make it back to their nest again. Minimal environmental practices and development will affect and change the life of the sea turtles and all of the species.'
    "The Planning Director should not waive certification of the shoreline given the impacts of climate change since the last certification was done.
    "Stay tuned for more information about the May 2nd meeting and how you can help. If you have not already, please take a moment to sign the petition and encourage your family and friends to do the same."
     The county Planning Department is yet to put the Punalu'u hearing on its May 2 agenda.