Malaekahana upgrade in works

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAHUKU — The state is considering plans to upgrade cabin and tent camping facilities at Malaekahana and could be seeking a partner to develop and operate the project, a possibility that has raised community concerns.

The options are an all-cabin facility, an all-tent facility or a combination of tents and cabins, which is the preferred choice and what is available now.

Any new project would have to be accessible to the disabled and would require an environmental impact statement.

The community will have an opportunity to discuss the options with state park planners at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at Kahuku High School.

But some area residents have expressed skepticism about the plan, which could force out the Friends of Malaekahana, who they said have done an outstanding job managing the site while being sensitive to the needs of the surrounding community.

"If it ain't broke, why fix it?" asked MaryAnne Long, chairwoman of the Ko'olauloa Neighborhood Board. "I think that's the general feeling in the community."

The camp is always busy and is a popular site for residents and tourists, with bookings a year in advance, Long said. She added that the site is rustic and hokey, but that's what the community and campers like about it; it's old but it's safe.

"It's just a really comfortable place," she said. "It gives people a special sense of place. I'm afraid that will be lost by developing it."

Lei Cummings, who uses the park frequently, said she welcomes improvement but not at the expense of losing a good manager who is always on site, works with community groups, feeds and employs the homeless, and allows the use of the camp for school activities.

The solution is for the state to work with the Friends to improve the park, Cummings said.

"I'd like the Friends to continue doing what they do so well or combine the efforts of the state and Friends to make it a joint effort," she said.

DLNR park planner Lauren Tanaka said the development is necessary because the buildings and infrastructure are old — some at least 50 years old — and need to be replaced.

"I believe they're operating on cesspools, so the whole sewer needs to be upgraded to meet (Department of Health) requirements," Tanaka said. "The water system needs a lot of work."

Tanaka said the state has asked the Friends to postpone any plans for the camp until the state has completed this process, financed by a $100,000 state appropriation.

Once a development option is accepted, the Friends would be eligible to compete with others to develop the property and operate the campground, she said.

The operator could be either nonprofit or for-profit, Tanaka said, adding that the state could receive some revenue from the lease of the land.

"Our bottom line is to provide a recreational facility for public use," she said. "As far as making money, we don't know."

Only about 37 acres of the 155-acre park are being managed by the Friends. Tanaka said she wasn't sure how many acres would be developed and that the planner has yet to calculate the park's carrying capacity.

Camp manager Molly Maxwell-Stribling said the Friends could have saved the state its $100,000 in planning money if it had allowed the organization to move ahead on its plans to improve and develop the property.

Several years ago the Friends lost out on a $500,000 grant to upgrade the sewer system because it didn't have a long-term lease — the state won't issue the Friends one, she said.

Maxwell-Stribling questions the state's intent to develop the site and said the plans don't seem to take into account the community's wishes for the area and its unique cultural value.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.