Kaʻū News Briefs July 31, 2024

The future of Punalu'u is a main focus of ʻIewe Hānau o ka ʻĀina, the new community group that
will be introduced at a public meeting Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 5 p.m. at Na'alehu Community Center.
Photo by Ophir Danenberg

AN ORGANIZATION WITH CONTESTED CASE STATUS IN THE PUNALU'U SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA PERMIT PROCESS will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 5 p.m. at Na'alehu Commuity Center. ʻIewe Hānau o ka ʻĀina invites the public to learn about its purpose, goals, activities and board members. Its notice says the organization's agenda is: Introducing ʻIewe Hānau o ka ʻĀina, Punalu'u Contested Case Updates, Gather input to create Kaʻū Communities vision for Punalu'u, and How you can kokua.
    The website for the new organization is www.iewehanau.org.
Boardmembers for ʻIewe Hānau o ka ʻĀina are: Nohealani Ka'awa, who is the Pelekikena (President); Shanell Dedman, who is the Hope Pelekikena, vice-President; 'Aina Akamu, who is the Kakau 'Olele; Secretary; Jodie Rosam, who is the Pu'uku, Treaurer; and and John Replogle, who is the Alaka'i, Director.
    According to the website, "A group of concerned community members and lineal descendants of Punaluʻu and Kaʻū organized ʻIewe Hānau o ka ʻĀina in response to Black Sands LLC's Special Management Area Application (SMAA) for development at Punaluʻu. The SMAA was submitted without

Read the Punalu'u EIS from 2006,  at 
https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/EA_EIS_Library/2006-10-08-
HA-DEIS-Sea-Mountain-Punaluu.pdf

an updated Environmental Impact Statement. Also, due to overwhelming community opposition and limited, targeted outreach with mostly project supporters, our organization was created to provide a viable, culturally appropriate, and community-based alternative to development by foreign investors."

     The website says the main concern of  ʻIewe Hānau o ka ʻĀina are:

1. Lack of an updated EIS. The current development is based upon a 1988 EIS.
2. The effects of construction activity on people, flora, and fauna in costal adjacent areas, including endanged and endemic Hawaiian species.
3. Overcrowding and increased competition for access by locals who utilize the shoreline for subsistence, cultural, and recreational activities.
4. Accelerated increases in property taxes.
5. Lack of good faith communication and cooperation with land owner and concerned residents.
    Concerning jobs that would be created if the development plan goes forward, the organizatio states:
1. The majority of low-wage, entry level, service-oriented jobs created will not enable Kaʻū residents to afford the rapidly increasing cost of home ownership.

2. Most industries and employers on Hawaiʻi Island have many job openings. The resorts and hospitality industry is experiencing a huge shortage of workers. Hospitality jobs are currently not bringing people back home to work.

    ʻIewe Hānau o ka ʻĀina is incorporated in the State of Hawaiʻi and recognized as a domestic non-profit corporation.  is recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.

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THE LATE ABEL SIMEONA LUI WAS honored with the Hawaiian Patriot Award on Sunday by the Koani Foundation, which released the following statement:
    "The late Abel Simeona Lui is honored in recognition of a lifetime of exceptional sacrifice and dedication in advocating and living aloha ʻāina. He is honored with the the 2024 posthumous Hawaiian Kingdom Patriot Award."

The late Abel Lui faces off with the late Mayor Billy Kenoi
over approaches to protecting the Ka'u Coast, including
Kawa where Lui lived. Photo from Big Island Video News

 Koani Foundation director Leon Siu said, “Abel Lui was a courageous protector, educator and leader in advocating and living aloha ʻāina. His aloha for both Hawaiʻi‘s ʻāina and it‘s people continues to inspire many others to mālama or take care of our precious homeland today as well as in the years to come.” 
    The statement says, "Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day marks July 31, 1843 when British Admiral Richard Thomas ordered the Union Jack lowered and the Hawaiian Kingdom flag hoisted above Honolulu, ending five months of British occupation and restoring the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom government to legitimate power."
    Lui, known as Uncle Abel, lived for years at Kawa, promoted Hawaiian culture, held surf contests and was a leader in the Hawaiian Kingdom restoration movement. He sought to protect Kawa from development on his own terms. He was also featured in the film, Saving Ka'u's Coast. 

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

The Reunion features the screening of a PBS film Ka'u Sugar,
A Town Remembers on the history of the sugar plantation
 and the closing of the mill in 1996. It will also feature a film 
on history of the local coffee industry.

5,500 in the mail, 2,000 on the streets Volcano to Miloli'i
 See www.kaunews.com