Park in North Kona closer to reality

By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Neighbor Island Editor

Years-long controversy and confrontation over public access to a culturally significant section of North Kona shoreline may be coming to an end, as Native Hawaiian and community groups, private land owners and the county have agreed to begin the process of creating a coastal park together.

The area also comprises the popular "Pine Trees" surf spot and the Kaloko-Hono-kohau National Historical Park.

A public meeting is planned for 6 tonight at the Kealakehe High School cafeteria to bring together all the parties with an interest in the shoreline area and to begin working toward a consensus on its use, design and maintenance.

Hawai'i County Deputy Managing Director Peter Young said although there remains a long way to go before actual plans for a coastal park materialize, the meeting is a milestone because it signals that public and private interests have agreed to work together.

"It's a pretty exciting time. It's clearly been an area of confrontation where I don't think anyone is really happy with the way it's gone," Young said.

K. Angel Pilago is president of the nonprofit Kohanaiki 'Ohana and was a plaintiff in the historic PASH court decision, known by the acronym for another plaintiff, Public Access Shoreline Hawai'i. He said just as important as establishing a park is validation of the concept of public participation in the design and management of the area. Pilago called the effort a "turning point in Hawai'i planning" that is likely to be put into practice at other developments statewide.

The Kohanaiki area is accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicle. A jeep trail runs along the shoreline.

Besides white-sand beaches and surfing and fishing spots, the area contains brackish water ponds and wetlands that attract native birds and several species of 'opae (shrimp). Also found there are plants and herbs used in traditional Hawaiian medicine, archaeological sites, and a portion of the Ala Kahakai, a centuries-old foot trail that was part of the "King's Highway" that circled the island.

For the past 12 years, Pilago's group and Na Keiki He'e Nalu O Hawai'i have provided trash bins and portable lavatories, conducted regular cleanups and organized an annual keiki surf contest in conjunction with Earth Day. The two organizations have received state and federal awards for their stewardship.

"We've been advocating for many years for open space and the land being deeded to county, and to form a partnership in design and management," Pilago said.

James Sogi, vice president of Na Keiki He'e Nalu O Hawai'i, which promotes family activities, the "surfing culture" and respect for the land and sea, called the establishment of a park "a dream come true" and agreed that the cooperative nature of the planning process is significant.

"We're looking at this as a new blueprint for future development in Hawai'i. No longer will developers be able to unilaterally plan and ignore the needs of the community, because they are part of the community," he said.

Although the area being considered for a coastal park includes land held by other owners, the focus has been on the 442-acre makai section of the Kohanaiki ahupua'a.

Former owner Nansay Hawai'i's plans for a $360 million resort, residential and golf course development met bitter opposition and the developer was a target of the PASH lawsuit. The project stalled and the county foreclosed on the land after Nansay racked up $4 million in overdue property taxes.

New owner Kennedy-Wilson International worked out a deal with the county to repay the tax debt, and now is participating in the effort to establish a park encompassing its coastal land. Officials for Kennedy-Wilson were not available to comment on the proposed park, but a spokesman confirmed the land owner will be involved in community discussions over the area's fate.

"A number of developers in the past haven't been willing to work with us in the spirit of cooperation, but the new developer has made that pledge," Sogi said.

Sogi and Pilago credited Mayor Harry Kim for moving the parties toward a consensus-building process.

"We applaud the mayor's vision of public ownership of the park, of public access to the park, and commitment to public management of the park, the preservation of the anchialine ponds and archaeological sites, a 500-foot setback, and controlled camping and toilets and showers," Sogi said.

Pilago said he is going into planning sessions with an open mind. Some people would prefer shoreline walkways and open promenades, according to Pilago, while others would like to see improved vehicle access and parking. A final design probably will be something in between, he said.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertser.com or (808) 244-4880.