Posted on: Sunday, April 10, 2005

EDITORIAL
Protecting treasures of Ka'u coast a must

Congressman Ed Case's proposal to preserve the natural and historical treasures of the Ka'u coast should be welcomed by the state.

Case, who has the support of Big Island environmental and community leaders, recently sent a letter to the National Park Service requesting a survey of about 80 miles of shoreline for possible protection within the federal parks system. The congressman, who grew up on the Big Island, argues that the island's development interests also will suffer in the long run if its scenic treasures aren't preserved.

While staffing issues make doing the study a difficult prospect, Case's plan should be given a high priority once the appropriate Hawai'i-based park service staffers are hired in the coming months.

The first step, according to the park service, would be a preliminary study to gauge whether the area is likely to merit special designation as a National Seashore or another kind of preserve.

Major archaeological and historical sites would be catalogued, along with coastal species such as the endangered hawksbill turtles that nest in the area.

The Ka'u district is under significant development pressure — as are other areas on the Neighbor Islands. The benefits of economic growth must be carefully weighed against a detailed assessment of the area's valuable natural resources. If these resources are to be preserved for the public, then government must be willing to act quickly.

Case's proposal would put us further along that path.