Posted on: Saturday, May 17, 2003

South Kona wilderness zone created

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday signed into law a measure that creates the first state wilderness area on a 22,000-acre stretch of South Kona coastline on the Big Island.

The new law also calls for a comprehensive management plan to safeguard the area's cultural and historic aspects and authorizes state officials to contract with nonprofit organizations to manage the area.

Gil Kahele, whose family has long been in Miloli'i, South Kona, said the area makai of Hawai'i Belt Road and south of Miloli'i, from Humuhumu Point to Kapulau Point, includes archaeological sites and stunning beaches.

The newly created South Kona Wilderness Area is mostly state land, including portions of the Manuka Natural Area Reserve, he said. Kahele called the area "a beautiful place," rich in cultural and historic significance, with noted heiau on the property.

Lingle signed the bill before an audience of about 300 at a Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai.

State Rep. Bob Herkes, D-5th (Ka'u, S. Kona), said the law will need further tinkering next year — for example, the term "wilderness" needs to be further defined — but indicated it was essential the measure win passage this year because the Legislature needed the cooperation of developer Jeff Stone.

Stone is a partner in One Keahole Partners, which owns 9,000 acres at Kapu'a, in the middle of the area that advocates wanted to include in the designated area, Herkes said.

Stone was seeking the Legislature's approval for $75 million in state tax credits to build a world-class aquarium at Ko Olina on O'ahu, and "if he got Ko Olina before we made a deal with him here, then we've lost our leverage. We had huge leverage with him and his group," Herkes said.

The tax credits were approved, and Herkes said Stone agreed to a land exchange with the state for property of comparable value. The two sides have three years to negotiate an exchange.

Lingle, who said she never spoke with Stone about the South Kona Wilderness Area bill, told the chamber luncheon that "man-made improvement to this area will be kept to a minimum."

Although no money was appropriated for the wilderness area, Lingle said state staff and lawmakers believe they can attract grants to pay for a development plan.