Kaʻū News Briefs May 6, 2024

A special public hearing on the proposed development at Punalu'u was held Monday but Windward Planning Commission
 is unable to vote until two contested cases are heard on the matter and a recommendation made by a hearing officer.
Photo from YouTube of the meeting

WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION'S VOTE ON APPROVING THE BLACK SAND BEACH, LLC DEVELOPMENT will be delayed until mediation or a contested case hearing is completed. See testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTfM1FCZxW4
    Following hours of public testimony on Monday when most speakers opposed the development, Windward Planning Commission voted to accept two contested cases, which take discussion on the proposed development at Punalu'u to mediation between the developers and the community groups. If mediation doesn't work, the process will enter a court like contested case process with a hearing officer. The hearing officer provides a recommendation to the Planning Commission, which is tasked with taking the hearing officer's and planning director's recommendations into consideration along with testimony and advice from the Planning Commission. Planning Commission voted on Monday to process the two contested cases in concert.
    The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approve the contested case requested by community group 'Iewe Hanau o Ka 'Āina and its attorney David Kimo Frankel. In its petition addressing Punalu'u, 'Iewe Hanau o Ka 'Āina was described as "an unincorporated hui of Kaʻū residents who desire to protect the cultural practices, natural resources, and stunning beauty of Punalu'u. The protection of the iwi and honu are of great importance. Members of 'Iewe Hanao o Ka 'Āina walk along the Punalu'u coastline, swim at Punalu'u Beach, observe marine life, provide stewardship of the land, work to protect the honu that live in the area, gather marine life, participate in cultural protocol, and respect the burials in the area. 'Iewe Hanau o Ka 'Āina includes Native Hawaiians with deep cultural connections to Punalu'u. The interests of 'Iewe Hanau o Ka 'Āina and its members would be adversely affected by the proposed project in numerous ways."
    The petition contends that increasing the density of people in area would jeopardize the coastal water quality and further desecrate burials on the land at Punalu'u. It says the group's "constitutionally protected cultural practices would be jeopardized," and that the group has "a right to a clean and healthful environment."

Majority of testimonies submitted on Monday opposed the plan by Black Sand Beach, LLC
Black Sand Beach, LLC. See testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTfM1FCZxW4

    Windward Planning Commission voted 4-1 to approve the contested case requested by the Center for Biological Diversity, its members including the 'ohana of Elsa Kalanikauleleiaiwi Dedman, which owns land adjacent to the Black Sand Beach, LLC project.
    The organization and its Hawai'i Director and staff attorney Maxx Phillips stated that its "Hawai'i Program focuses specifically on conserving ecosystems and seeks to ensure that imperiled species are properly protected from destructive practices across our pae'aina. Through sciences, policy and environmental law, the Center is actively involved i species and habitat protection issues throughout Hawai'i, including efforts related to Hawai'i's imperiled pland and animal species, such as the endangered hawksbill and threatened green sea turtles, and effective implementation of Federal, State, and County laws. The Center's members hav legally protected interests in the survival and recovery of endangered and threatened species and habitats they depend on. The Center's members derive scientific, recreational, cultural religious, conservation, spiritual, subsistence, educational, and aesthetic benefits form the myriad of native plants' and animals' existence in the wild of Punalu'u."
    The petition contends that the Black Sand Beach, LLC project would injure the species, habitat and environment of Punalu'u." The petition quotes section of the Hawai'i State Constitution, as approved in 1978, which said that "Each person has the right to a clean and healthful environment defined by laws relating to environmental quality, including control of pollution and conservation, protection and enhancement of natural resources. Any person may enforce the right against any party, public or private, through appropriate legal proceedings..."
    The Commission informed the petitioners that they will be contacted within about a week to set up the contested case proceedings.
The attorney for Black Sand Beach, LLC, Lincoln Ashida, filed an objection against the acceptance of both petitions. He also argued against a third contested case petitioned by condo owners at Punalu'u. The Planning Commission voted 3-2 to approve the petition but needed four votes for approval, under its rules.
See the hours of testimony and contested case procedure at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTfM1FCZxW4

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Kaʻū News Briefs May 5, 2024

Black Sand Beach, LLC's plan for Punalu'u, with residences, accommodations, a Wellness Center, tennis, golf, retail and some of the old infrastructure restored. Image from Black Sand Beach, LLC

TESTIMONIES AND TESTIMONIALS REGARDING DEVELOPMENT AT PUNALUʻU are being provided to the media and the Windward Planning Commission ahead of Monday's public hearing, 9 a.m. in County Council Chambers in Hilo, with live YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAFoRMb3rfWLQMPd6TAkEGA?view_as=subscriber. Testimonies sent in ahead of the hearing can be read at https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?dbid=1&startid=130300&row=1&cr=1. The majority of the testimonies, including those submitted in recent weeks, are in opposition to the development.
    Leiahiʻena Kaʻawa, a student at Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences, sent this testimony to The Kaʻū Calendar after participating in Saturday's protest on Hwy 11:
    "Aloha, my name is Leiahiʻena Kaʻawa. I live in the ahupuaʻa of Pālauhulu, in the moku of Kaʻū. I am writing this testimony in strong opposition to the proposed Development plan at Punaluʻu put forth by Black Sand Beach LLC.
   "I am a lineal descendant of the lands of Punaluʻu, Nīnole and Wailau, Land Commission Award #8760 and Land Commission Award #7313. I am asking of you all today to please take into consideration the future of both Kaʻū and the people of Kaʻū. The importance of keeping Punaluʻu untouched by mass development is because Punaluʻu is home to native, endemic and endangered plants and animals, ancient and traditional places of worship and ceremony, ancestral burials, fresh water springs, brackish water pools, and because Punaluʻu has provided the people of Kaʻū an abundance of food and resources to feed the multitudes of generations it has.

Leiahiʻena Kaʻawa

    "The untouched and undeveloped state of Punaluʻu would allow us to keep these practices alive. This is the way the kanaka ʻōiwi in Kaʻū have learned to live, to live with the intention of reciprocation as one with the land, with the awareness that the health of the land reflects the health of her people.
    "Our Ka‘ū community’s long standing goal is to protect our beloved and untouched 80 mile coast to perpetuate our rural lifestyle and Hawaiian culture. My ʻohana and I are here to oppose the potential gentrification and harm that this 343 acre resort would bring to Kaʻūʻs untouched coastlines and waterways. I speak today in hopes of finding a more sustainable and practical avenue of land management to the fragile environment that Punaluʻu is.
    "I speak today in hopes of raising my future children in the conditions of a healthy environment in the same kept and untouched areas of Kaʻū, just as I have been raised. Iʻd like to end my testimony with the ʻōlelo noʻeau #1932; “Kuʻu ēwe, kuʻu piko, kuʻu iwi, kuʻu koko.” Meaning “My umbilical cord, my navel, my bones, my blood.” This is who Punaluʻu is to me."
    "I strongly recommend an EIS."
    On May 2, Irene Eklund, of Discovery Harbour, sent testimony favoring the Black Sand Beach, LLC plan to Windward Planning Commission, saying:
    "I am writing in support of the Black Sand Beach LLC, Punalu'u project. The entire area needs help. This is a small project that offers so much to the area, without over populating. It is the perfect size project for that area. This is a phased project so there will be much needed construction jobs that are good paying jobs for the younger set. It's important to remember that over the past four years, the project has listened to the community and is working to nurture, steward and manage these lands in a manner that reflects the visiton of the community. They have reached out to ask what the community needs, unklike others before them. That area needs protection before it is too late and this developer has stepped up and is willint to do that.

https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan
-community-planning/cdp/kau/doc

    "Establishing a shoreline Conservation Management Area to ensure preservation for future generations and creating a community-led and community-driven Foundation to manage and steward the conservation areas and wahi pana (sacred sites). We can work together on a project that benefits all i Ka'u. It has been hard as that vocal ones that have spent much time trying to stop the rest of us from s peaking and want to Keep Ka'u, Ka'u have made it very difficult. Progress does. not stand still..."
   On May 2, Ka'u Community Development Plan Action Committee member Babette Morrow sent in her personal testimony to the Windward Planning Commission. It says,
    "I hope you will consider all of the community input that was gathered during the seven years of meeting for the Kaʻū Community Development Plan. Hundreds of Kaʻū residents attended the many Steering Committee meetings to give their input on the future of our area.
    "Page 97 of the Kaʻū CDP states, "A large number of CDP objectives and strategies intersect at Punalu'u, which has a rich ecological, historical, and cultural legacy and is dear to the hearts of most residents to this day. This section includes references to each of the policies, actions, advocacy initiatives and community-based collaborative actions that pertain to Punalu'u. Community Action 27 outlines a community driven, collaborative process for planing the future of Punalu'u."
    "It is my hope that the Planning Commission can take into account all of the land use policies and community actions found in the CDP during their consideration of the SMA. Of particular benefit would be the formation of a collaborative process to bring all the community factions together to hep plan for the future of this site."

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Camdon Higbee, of Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary, won the Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Poetry contest for Hawai'i Island on Saturday. To his left is Governor's Representative  Amy Miwa and Mayor Mitch Roth. To his right are Ka'u High honorees Kamalea Davis and Krystal Eder and Peace Project founder Melinda Gohn. Photo by Tina Eder

NINTH GRADER CAMDON HIGBEE WON THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PEACE POETRY AWARD for Hawai'i Island. On Saturday. Kaʻū High social studies teacher David Santos who mentored the students for their entry into the competition, was named Peace Poetry teacher of the year for the island. 

     Santos, Principal Sharon Beck and Vice Principal Jason Britt joined the students at the awards ceremony at University of Hawai'i-Hilo. Mayor Mitch Roth presented the honors.

    Golden Circle first place certificates for Peace Poetry from Kaʻū went to ninth graders Kamalea Davis, Krystal K. Eder, Camdon C. Higbee and tenth grader Aubrey-Ann K. Delos Santos-Graig. Second place winners from Ka'u are ninth graders Jessica Lyn Velasco, Emil A Soriano and Zia-Rae K. Wroblewski. Also taking second was tenth grader Josiah Makoa L. Justo-Rosenbloom. 

    The Peace Poetry program started in 1996 as the International Peace Project on Maui with a six year old poet Libby Barker writing: Everyone's Heart's is like Everyone's and I Hope We Can all find Peace in this World. In 2000, the project, led by Melinda Gohn, reached out into schools throughout Hawai'i, calling for poetry honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. It grew to become an international event involving schools throughout the world.

     Here is the winning poem for Hawai'i Island:

           

The Realm of Dream

by Camdon Higbee

Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary

In the realm of dreams where hope takes flight

There stood a man, a beacon of light.

With unwavering resolve, he took his stand,

A champion of justice, in a divided land.

Martin Luther King, a name etched in gold.

A tireliess warrior, courageous and bold.

His work thick, a testament to his might,

A relentless pursuit of what is right.

From the pulpit he preached, his voice so clear.

A symphony of truth, for all to hear.

With eloquence and passion, he spoke of love,

A vision of unity, sent from above.

In the face of adversity, he stood tall,

Defying hatred, he answered the call.

Through tough marches and protests, he led the way

Demanding equality day after day.

His life, a testament to his unwavering cause

A legacy of justice without any pause

He fought for hte oppressed, the marginalized,

   With unwavering conviction, he harmonized.

Advocating for the change, he faced many trials,

Bur his spirit remained unbroken, his resolve never defiled.

He believed in a future, where all would be free,

Where the content of character would be a decree.

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Isaiah (Hano) Manila Louis qualified for Big Island Interscholastic finals on Friday for 300m hurdles and is going to States for long jump with a distance of 20'2.25. Photo from Coach Tolu Rasmussen

Kalia Grace qualified for BIIF finals on Friday for 400m
 with a time of 1:03.96. Photo from Coach Tolu Rasmussen

PRAISE FOR KAʻŪ HIGH'S TRACK team came from Coach Tolu Rasmussen this weekend. He shared some season highlights:

    Isaiah (Hano) Manila Louis qualified for Big Island Interscholastic finals on Friday for 300m hurdles and heads to States for long jump with a distance of 20'2.25.

    Kalia Grace qualified for BIIF finals on Friday for 400m with a time of 1:03.96.

    Tristan Rasmusssen took second in the 1500m in the recent Freshman/Sophomore championship with a time of 4:44.40 and qualified for the BIIF finals.

    Senior Stephen Adler took his senior walk at BIIF trials Friday at Kealakehe HIgh School. He will attend Grand Canyon University this Fall to pursue a degree in computer science. He competed in the long jump, 100, 200m, 400m races and and 4X100 and 

Kaʻū High's track team. Photo from Coach Tolu Rasmussen

4XD400 relays.
    BIIF Track & Field Finals Were held at Kealakehe High School in Kona on Saturday. The islandwide team titles went to Hilo High Girlst and Kealakehe Boys.

Stephen Adler takes a senior walk at BIIF trials and plans to attend
Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Photo from Coach Tolu Rasmussen

Kaʻū News Briefs May 4, 2024

Protesters held signs along Hwy. 11 Saturday in advance of the public hearing on new development proposed for Punalu'u in a
 Special Management Area designed to protect resources near the ocean. Photo by Ophir Danenberg

Protesters stood in opposition to the proposed Punalu'u
 development on Saturday at Hwy 11 and the road
 into Punalu'u. Photo by Ophir Danenberg

MORE THAN 80 PROTESTERS stood at the Punalu'u Black Sand Beach intersection with Hwy 11 on Saturday, waving signs to oppose issuance of a Special Management Area permit for the new development proposal. 

     The proposal by Black Sand Beach, LLC would create a Wellness Center, restore the Aspen Center, as well as golf and tennis venues and build some 225 residential and transient units on the more than 400 acres makai of Hwy 11, all more than a fifth of a mile from the shore. It would also put an open market and restaurant near Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. 

     The developers stated that should their proposal be ap proved, they would ban tour buses from the county park pavilion area and restrict them to the parking lot above Black Sand Beach. Owner of the property Eva Liu said Saturday that should her Punalu'u Village proposal be approved, she would not allow any vehicles on the Black Sand Beach and promised her own conservation plan to preserve the shoreline for public use.

    Opponents cited the increased crowding of the shoreline, even without new development there. They also contended that additional commercial establishments, accommodations and residences would further crowd the shoreline. They pointed to the nesting site of the endangered hawksbill turtles on the Black Sand Beach and stated that Punalu'u is the only family, friendly beach with a lifeguard between Kona and Hilo. They also stated that there are burial sites on the land that should be preserved.

   The big sign was also carried in Mauna Kea protests on the mountain years ago. Photo by Ophir Danenberg

This sign suggests some luxury residences would be built at
Punalu'u. Photo by Ophir Danenberg

    Signs carried such slogans as "Protect Our Sacred Lands," "Kapu Punalu'u,"  "2,500 sq. ft. Is Not A Bungalow," and "5 Generations in my ohana here today calls Punalu'u our backyard. Save. Punalu'u for our Future."
    The public hearing will be held on Monday, May 6 at 9 a.m. in County Council Chambers in Hilo before the Windward Planning Commission. The last public hearing on the issue was March 7 when 80 people testified against the plan, eight in favor, leaving 50 people remainingf to give their testimony. The Monday meeting will let those who weren't able to speak to testify first, followed by additional testifiers in person and on Zoom
    Opponents said they are meeting at 5:45 a.m. on Monday to form a caravan to the public hearing, leaving Punalu'u at 6 a.m. and plan to arrive to sign in to testify at 8:45 a.m., the hearing beginning at 9 a.m. It will be streamed live on the County of Hawai'i's Windward Planning Commission's You Tube channel. Testifiers can also use Zoom.

Opponents oppose the practice of the first Punalu'u resort developers' bulldozing of graves. They also oppose
putting a marketplace near the ocean and encourage all building to be inland. Photo by Ophir Danenberg

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REOPENING AT HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ARE CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD and

other sites that were off limits during the recent heightened seismicity. With reduction in the number of earthquakes, which reached more than 600 a day, Chain of Craters and coastal backcountry sites, Hilina Pali Road, Kulanaokuaiki Campground, Nāpau, and Pepeiao Cabin were closed.
   Over the last week, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and park staff monitored thousands of shallow low-magnitude earthquakes below the upper East Rift Zone and just south of the summit caldera. According to USGS, the consistent decrease in both seismicity and ground deformation over the past 30 hours to background levels indicates that this pulse of unrest has ended.
   While the unrest appears to be over, Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on earth and conditions can change at any time.
    The park website offers updates and alerts that could impact visits.

Thirty six teams are competing at 
the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym
Photo by Ophir Danenberg

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MILOLI'I-KAʻŪ VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT filled the courts at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym on Saturday with 36 teams competing from around the island into the evening.

   Play continues on Sunday, with keiki to high school youth from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Free to the public.

The food concession and donations support Miloli'i-Kaʻū Volleyball Club traveling to the O'ahu Aloha Summer Classics.

On the menu are: Laulau bowl, chili bowl, shoyu chicken, smoke meat bowl, Dorito salad, Pāhala pops, musubi and drinks.

To donate to the club, contact Kaimi Kaupiko at 808-937-1310.

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Youth volleyball weekend at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym with the Miloli'i-Kaʻū Club tournament.
Photo by Julia Neal

TWENTY YEARS IN PRISON FOR RONALD P.K. KAHIHIKOLO is the sentence. Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that the 45-year old Ocean View man's long prison term is related to May 2023 shooting and manhunt incidents. Kahihikolo was detained without bail and appeared in Kona Circuit Court where he received his sentence.
    The prosecuting attorney reported that on February 27, 2024, Kahihikolo appeared in Kona Circuit

Ronald P.K. Kahihikolo

Court where he pleaded “No Contest” to the charges of Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Carrying or Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony in relation to a March 7, 2023 incident. On that day, Kahihikolo fired a shotgun at his girlfriend at an Outrigger Drive residence in Ocean View.
    Kahihikolo also pleaded “No Contest” to charges of Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree and Resisting Order to Stop in the First Degree in relation to a March 10, 2023 incident, where he disregarded police attempts to arrest him while operating a stolen Dodge Charger.
Carrying or Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony carries a penalty of a 20-year prison term. Attempted Assault in the First Degree carries a penalty of a ten-year prison term.
    The case was initiated by Officers Melissa D’Angelo, Isaac Michaels, and Xylon Takata, Ka‘u Patrol, and the felony investigation was led by Detective Blayne Matsui and assisted by Detectives Len Hamakado, Jason Foxworthy, and Donovan Kohara, Area II Criminal Investigations Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Kate Perazich, Matt Woodward, and Chase Murray. The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. #hawaiiprosecutors #hawaiipolicedepartment # # #

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