About The Kaʻū Calendar

Sunday, May 05, 2024

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.

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

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.





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Saturday, May 04, 2024

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.

 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive and support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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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Friday, May 03, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs May 3, 2024

The website punaluublacksandbeach.com includes a map showing proposed Open Market & Restaurant
away from the Black Sand Beach, as the request for a Special Management Area permit goes
to a public hearing this Monday at 9 a.m. in Hilo before the Windward Planning Commission.

THE PROPOSED PUNALU'U VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT is the subject of a map from Black Sand Beach, LLC, showing its proposed plan with many components back from the beach. The map itself is labeled "All Coastline Open for the Community" and is posted on the website punaluublacksandbeach.com.  
    The proposal goes to public hearing before the Hawai'i County Windward Planning Commission on Monday at 9 a.m. in County Council Chambers in Hilo. 
     The website also puts forth a history of the old resort development there, with an image of the old Golf Course signage, and says that Black Sand Beach, LLC purchased the property in 2020 after nearly 30 years of neglect.
     The website and the developers' Punalu'u Community facebook show video interviews of supportive
The old SeaMountain Golf Course would be restored,
according to the Punalu'u Black Sand Beach proposal.
Photo from punaluublacksandbeach.com.
people, including Paulette Ke, Wayne Kawachi, Sharon Morales, Vance Borg and Jami Kawauchi. A written testimonial is from Palikapu Dedman in a full page advertisement in the Hawai'i Tribune Herald and The Ka'u Calendar newspapers. See punaluucommunity.com. Black Sands Beach, LLC posted a YouTube video supporting the project at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YydJ3xMfwhs, accompanied by the song, On the Island, We Do it Island Style.
     The proposed development is also subject of a story this week by USA Today travel writer Kathleen Wong. The piece has been picked up by other medial outlets. In USA Today, the travel writer's story ran with the headline Proposed resort at famous Hawaii black sand beach faces backlash. Yahoo News and aol.com ran it with the headline Hawai'i's famous black sand beach could become a resort area. Here is Wong's story:
    A proposed development that would transform one of Hawaii’s most famous black sand beaches into a new resort area — including condos, tennis courts, and a conference center — is facing backlash from the Native Hawaiian community.
    Punaluu Black Sand Beach, one of about 20 black sand beaches in the world, is located along the southeastern coast of Hawaii Island in the Kau district. On any given day, tourists swarm the beach, parking illegally along the road. It’s one of the few places in the world where endangered hawksbill sea turtles, who are extremely sensitive to light and noise pollution, nest.
    Named Punaluu Village, the planned mixed-use development spearheaded by Black Sand Beach LLC, was formed from the acquisition of the 434 acres by Eva Liu, hailing from California, in 2020. The project defines itself as a “low-density 225-unit project” – downsized from its original plan of 2,900 accommodation units due to community feedback.
    The new development aims to be “a learning and living space for the community,” according to Black Sand Beach LLC.
    Black Sand Beach LLC told USA TODAY it has invested over $1 million in restoring the land, such as removing rubbish, vegetation growth, and existing infrastructure left over from the initial development project in the late 1960s. The project was passed from developer to developer until 2006 when it was ownerless and fell into “terrible shape of disrepair,” the company said.
    “Disturbed by the lack of local initiatives to revive the area, Eva felt an undeniable duty to intervene,” Black Sand Beach LLC said.

    For some Native Hawaiians who have lived in Kau for as long as they can trace their genealogy, the new development threatens the sacredness of Punaluu. “Our lahui (group) from Punaluu have been the stewards of this place,” said Maxx Phillips, Hawaii director and staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, which filed a legal intervention in March opposing the development from receiving its permits.
    Along with the restoration of some pre-existing facilities – such as a condominium, restaurant, golf course, tennis courts, a boat ramp and education center – the developer plans to build a wellness center, a two-and-a-half-story condominium, more commercial shops, a marketplace, a conference center with cabin retreats and parking facilities.
    Over 100 community members shared their testimony at a public hearing on March 7. A special hearing is set for Monday.
    “When you threaten to destroy the landscape, it’s like a threat to the family because our land is our ohana (family),” said Nohealani Kaawa, whose family has lived in Kau for many generations. The people of Kau are deeply connected to the land – certain places named in Kau and moolelo (stories) are named after the families.
    It’s also a literal connection – many of their ancestors are buried where the golf course was first built.
“On a personal level, for me, our ancestors are buried there at Punaluu,” Kaawa said. “No matter where they build in their development plan, they’re going to uproot the bones of our ancestors and that’s the biggest disrespect you can do for the kanaka maoli of Hawaii (Native Hawaiian people) is to expose their iwi kupuna (ancestral remains) to the sun. That kind of disrespect is as real as being physically assaulted or having someone spit directly into your face.”
    Along with cultural concerns, the community has stated environmental concerns and that the analysis Black Sand Beach LLC is using for its development plans is decades-old and outdated, not accounting for issues like overtourism.
    The development would impact the nesting of hawksbill sea turtles, Phillips said, and the area is already suffering from a failing wastewater system that leaks into the ocean and has yet to be repaired. “They haven’t even met the kuleana (responsibility) that they already have,” Phillips said.
    Black Sand Beach LLC said its development is the “smallest footprint necessary” to bring money into the local economy and “care for these lands in a responsible manner.” The corporation said the development will be built at least a fifth of a mile away from the shoreline as well as move all commercial activity and parking off the beach to protect the turtles. Plans also include restoring the native fishing ponds and native vegetation.
    The community is torn over the new development. Some residents are in support of the development, stating it will help create “much-needed” jobs and “rejuvenate” Kau.
    “It’s been really sad to watch,” said Kaawa. “It’s not just the community they’re dividing, it’s families.”

THIRTY -SIX YOUTH VOLLEYBALL TEAMS COME TO MILOLI'I-KAʻŪ SPRING
TOURNAMENT this Saturday and Sunday at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym next to Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.
Sponsored by Miloli'i-Kaʻū Volleyball Club and Kaimi Kaupiko, the action of youth teams from keiki to high school is on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 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.
 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.


 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.






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