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| Ka`u surfers and fishermen went to court in the 1970s to open up access to the beach at Kawa, where the county wants to establish a park. Photos by Julia Neal |
THE FUTURE OF KAWA LANDS, where the County of Hawai`i wants to begin its stewardship managing a coastal park, is expected to be determined by a ruling soon by the courts. The county purchased more than 200 acres at Kawa to preserve the land after it was put on the market in real estate publications and advertised as the last available bay for sale on the island. However, Abel Simeona Lui, who built a house at Kawa about 20 years ago, claims the land is his family’s dating back to ancient Hawaiian times and was illegally taken from them.
Previous owner Thomas Okuna asked Lui and his family and friends who put up temporary tents and dwellings there to leave many times after being warned by health officials about unsanitary conditions on the land. Okuna went to court, and the court authorized an eviction, which was never carried out. The county contends that the eviction still stands and the purchase of Kawa by the county is legal.
Previous owner Thomas Okuna asked Lui and his family and friends who put up temporary tents and dwellings there to leave many times after being warned by health officials about unsanitary conditions on the land. Okuna went to court, and the court authorized an eviction, which was never carried out. The county contends that the eviction still stands and the purchase of Kawa by the county is legal.
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| The county plans to purchase the adjacent land south of the surfing beach to manage the wetlands, public health and parking. |
Lui still lives on the land and objects to the county conserving it as a park. In the 1970s young surfers in Ka`u went to court to secure a right of way to the beach for the public. The county plans to maintain the right of way and possibly add restroom facilities and some parking for surfers and other beachgoers to the ponds, springs, estuaries and surfing beach at Kawa.
A separate case involves the adjacent land, also more than 200 acres, which is also planned for purchase by the county. It was sold by Okuna to the Edmund C. Olson Trust, which bought it for the purpose of holding onto it until the county could make it into a park. That land too had been advertised for sale in real estate magazines. The county has until June 30 to close on the Olson property or lose $2.5 million in state and federal funds that would be used to purchase the land. The county is waiting for the court to clear the title, and Judge Joseph P. Florindo said he will hand down decisions on the ownership of the two adjacent properties soon.
In the meantime, Lui and his hui remain on the land and post sovereignty signs along Hwy 11 near their encampment, where they speak to passersby about their plight. They also monitor who comes in and out of the public right of way to the beach.
A separate case involves the adjacent land, also more than 200 acres, which is also planned for purchase by the county. It was sold by Okuna to the Edmund C. Olson Trust, which bought it for the purpose of holding onto it until the county could make it into a park. That land too had been advertised for sale in real estate magazines. The county has until June 30 to close on the Olson property or lose $2.5 million in state and federal funds that would be used to purchase the land. The county is waiting for the court to clear the title, and Judge Joseph P. Florindo said he will hand down decisions on the ownership of the two adjacent properties soon.
In the meantime, Lui and his hui remain on the land and post sovereignty signs along Hwy 11 near their encampment, where they speak to passersby about their plight. They also monitor who comes in and out of the public right of way to the beach.
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| Dr. Brian Panik |
DR. BRIAN PANIK, Ka`u Hospital’s chief of staff, has started a new community-based website designed to help distribute health information and encourage healthy diets and exercise, particularly on the Hawaiian Islands. Visitors to the website can ask questions about health, medicine or fitness through community forums and get answers from knowledgeable community physicians, pharmacists, dentists, nurses and other professionals. The website also offers programs for those looking to lose, gain or maintain weight. Visit www.tofindhealth.com.
GASOLINE PRICES HAVE BEEN GOING UP AND DOWN in Ka`u and around the state. The cheapest gas this morning was at Kahuku Country market at $4.30 a gallon, followed by Kahala Gas in Ocean View at $4.35 and Ocean View Market at $4.36. In Na`alehu the 76 is selling for $4.35, and in Pahala, Ka`u Gas is selling for $4.40.
KUMU MAILE YAMANAKA shares the Arts and Traditions of Hula at Kilauea on Tuesday at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. One-hour long sessions include Hula at 10:30 a.m., Lei Making at noon and `Ukulele and Hawaiian Music at 1:30 p.m.
ALSO AT HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Ranger Jason Zimmerman demonstrates how to make and play an `ohe hano ihu, or bamboo nose flute, on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lanai at Kilauea Visitor Center.
ALSO AT HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Ranger Jason Zimmerman demonstrates how to make and play an `ohe hano ihu, or bamboo nose flute, on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lanai at Kilauea Visitor Center.
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| Foggy will play at the Memorial Day Music Festival at Punalu`u. |
THE MEMORIAL DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL at Punalu`u next Monday promises to be a day full of entertainment. The line-up includes rock ‘n’ roll by the Ka`u Gonzo Music Society, Foggy, the Mile 25 Band and an Elvis impersonator.