Posted on: Thursday, August 2, 2001
Ka Iwi plan gains community support
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Bureau
HAWAI'I KAI — Community representatives have voted to support the state's compromise plan for the newly acquired Ka Iwi shoreline, but with one caveat: no concrete on the makai side of Kalaniana'ole Highway.
Make all the improvements, but don't pour one ounce of concrete on the vacant vista, the Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board said in its resolution Tuesday night.
The vote was 8-3, with members Anthony Paresa and Lester Muraoka abstaining. The board previously voted against the state's original plan for Ka Iwi, as did the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board.
On Tuesday, the board suggested that gravel or hard-packed soil be used instead of concrete to delineate parking lots and lookout trails.
Dan Quinn, administrator for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources's division of state parks, said it was rewarding to hear support for the compromise plan.
Hawai'i Kai's concept is not impossible to accomplish, but not practical because gravel or soil would require constant maintenance, Quinn said.
"We'll continue with the process," Quinn said. "Our purpose is to make sure that everyone knows what's being proposed."
The DLNR wants city permission to build two parking lots, one for hikers and another for visitors to the lookout.
The next chance for public debate on the proposal will be in September before the City Council Planning Committee and then before the full City Council.
The state will make another presentation to the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Waimanalo Public Library.
Although neighborhood boards don't have power to approve or deny, their recommendations are weighed by the City Council, which ultimately must decide on the state's permit request.
Other improvements called for include restoring a portion of the old King's Highway, undergrounding utility lines and erecting barriers to keep off road vehicles out of the area.
These are just some of the improvements outlined in the state's ambitious vision for Ka Iwi. The long-range plan could include a visitor center, a cultural center, restrooms, picnic areas, trails and wetland restoration, though none of that has been financed nor have such improvements been approved.
"I support certain aspects of the plan," said Charlie Rodgers, board chairman. "I am opposed to it because of the other stages (outlined in the plan). What happened at Hanauma Bay did so over lots of years and it turned into a tourist place. Five years from now, do you want to say the same thing about Ka Iwi?"
The plan is a scaled-down version, one that preservationists persuaded the state to adopt after a round of community meetings.
The Ka Iwi Action Council, a group of individuals and environmental organizations, supports the latest plan, said spokeswoman Adrienne King.
"We want this to go through," King said. "We support a total of 50 parking stalls. You need a place for hikers and something needs to be done to direct the foot traffic at the lookout. We want to keep this land preserved, but we need to compromise."
The council will make a presentation about the state's proposed improvements to at 7 p.m. today at the 'Aina Haina Public Library.
