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Preservation AND Development for Ka'u, Hawaii?

Localism Featured! May 30, 2007

There is more to be said on Preservation of Hawaiian Culture, Land and History which was written by me on May 27, 2007. Since then I have received contact from an interested party although on the "other side" than the group I had mentioned in the post. Apparently, it goes deeper than preserving the land around the Ka'u area on the island of Hawaii in the Punalu'u area otherwise known for it's Black Sand Beach.

I have not been to the Big Island (as I stated in other posts) since I was a teenager. I have walked on the black sand beach (and no doubt was pure and clean back in the 1970's) and traveled all over the island but I have not seen this distruction that this person has stated.

I am authorized to use this person's opinion's (through our email contacting) to tell "their side of the story" in this updated post:

Apparently, there are two sides to every story. She is a Hawaii resident and married to a Native Hawaiian. She understood me completely "to diligently take care of our beautiful islands" although felt the need to express their side of the story. Punalu'u is a community that has been slowly dying once the sugar cane industry closed down. Abandoned buildings, failing water and sewage systems, no employment except to commute to Kona. That's a commute of over 4+ hours a day!

On June 4 the community will have a public hearing on Councilmember Jacobson's bill to purchase 150 acres at Sea Mountain. (BTW, a developer has offered to provide 56 acres along this same shoreline to the community, for free, to be taken care of in perpetuity)
The developer also will overhaul the sewer and water, provide new jobs and new job training. It will implement a "hire local first" policy for construction. The developer has created a community benefits package which will provide millions of dollars to the community for their schools, services and programs. It will breathe new life into this dying area.
Finally, the developer has forged a partnership with world-renowned environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, and his Ocean Futures Society (http://www.oceanfutures.org/) to create marine and land protection programs. Already, Cousteau is implementing his world famous Ambassadors of the Environment program this June - free to the kids of Kau.

I believe in preservation, conservation and caring for the beauty and environment of our Hawaiian Islands. There has to be maintenance and cleanup of any community to preserve any land. And if this is all true then "Sea Mountain at Punalu'u' is promising to create an environmentally sensitive complex committed to economic revitalization for the people of Ka'u." They currently have a website in progress and will provide extensive information to give the public more information.

I have no intention of siding with any of these groups until I receive all the facts as I believe in both sides at this time. Preservation, conservation as well as Development with the promised intention of ensuring that the project is in the best interests of Hawaii's environment is definitely something to take into consideration.

More posts with Hawaii info!

Points of Interest and Entertainment in Hawaii - Part 1

Preservation of Hawaiian Culture, Land and History (localism.com featured)

Hawaiian "Ono" Entrees, Sides and a Luau?

Hawaii Photo Post and Virtual Tours!

HAWAIIAN Spirits and Superstitions (localism.com featured)

What Makes a House a Home in Honolulu, Hawaii? (localism.com featured)

Blogging about "VOG" in Hawaii

Visitor and Newcomer Safety Tips for Hawaii!

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate on 05/30/2007 08:54 PM

Comments (22)

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Originally posted at: Hawaii Real Estate & Relocations : Preservation AND Development for Ka'u, Hawaii?

This post has been included in Hawaii Information Honolulu County, HI Information

22 Comments on Preservation AND Development for Ka'u, Hawaii?

MAY

2007

Woah ... There are a lot of things to consider, here. Somethings are not very cut-n-dry.

Mariana: I've written so many informational posts on Hawaii the last week....and sure is getting some feedback....now from the public. Lot to consider when buying a home here...ha!

Thank you for posting links to your other Hawaii posts.

Sally wally dally great localism :) how it is working ? nice to see you again !

Mariana: Yeah, forgot to put them in....seems people are getting interested in "about Hawaii" as well as the detailed market reports

Ray: Hey, man...where ya been...oh, yeah..time difference...I guess where you are it must be about 10pm and east coast everyone is sleeping. Thanks for dropping by...

Sally- Very nicely done. Congratulations on a really good post for localism. I've learned something more about your beautiful island, and the pursuit to preserve its infinite beauty!

MAY

2007

Alecia: Was wondering where you've been....must be busy...just saw your flyers! Thanks for the feedback...the "contact" I'm sure is reading as comments come in.

I like that....the pursuit to preserve its infinite beauty!

I like hearing that te developer is moving in a proactive way. We need smart growth in Hawaii. We have too many houses going up with out infrastructure and some without regards to our environment.

I hope the developer follows through on the promises and sets and example of how it can be done better.

See...... another example a what a feature should be on localism.Something about your area described almost like you are describing it to your friend.

There's Coconuts in them trees! Nice article Sally! Wish I could see first hand those Black sand beaches! I've heard of them before and know they have to be unusually beautiful. Also it's good to here folks in Hawaii speak of preserving not only their culture bout their surroundings.

Sally, yes, and actually, I was very busy and with stuff here and stuff there, but well, we need to do what we have to do eh ? :) thanks for asking and I will see you as soon as I am available here on the rain :)

Randy: That's all we ever wanted. To preserve, conserve and develop to create opportunity for the locals and families in the areas.

Neal: You're pretty cool yourself. It's like you said. I am describing through my eyes to let you all know what it is really like here...not the ads and touristy stuff you see.

Danny: If it weren't for the contact person....I would not have known "first hand" another view on the situation. It's great that the public will respond to give insight. And this one did it by contacting me instead of writing a whole story in a comment...very appropriate and considerate.

Ray: See ya...and thanks for dropping by.

This turned out well! Quite controversial to say the least. Keep us posted! I didn't know about the Sugar Canes not being there anymore.

Steph: I think it'll be okay...as long as everyone keeps an open mind...that's usually how things get settled anyway, right?

JUN

2007

Thanks Celeste:

I have only been to the islands once in 1988 for my honeymoon, We did Maui and the Big Island. Many of my friends have gone since and each comes back saying how developed the islands are becoming, especially Maui. We saw Kilauea erupting and stayed at some really out of the way places. Having susutainable development where the community, the environment, and the economy all win can sometimes be a challenging thing to accomplish, but if we do not get better at this I think the world will be a tougher place to live in.

Thanks again for the post and a model of how to post to localism.

Bill: Thank you for giving your input.....I too believe that if we all work together it could be a win win situation. Of course it's hard when one side is JUST SAY NO...and we tend to wonder if the developers are really for real.

Celeste:

Unfortunately thats when you have to get the politicians involved since they are the ones that most likely have to decide what sustainable growth in a community will look like. Sometimes alot of educating has to go on with them so they get it,

Bill: Believe me they are! They've been trying to come to an "agreement" for MANY years. (the contact sent me paperwork to look at) Because I'm not too keen on getting into political stuff I kept this simple. Did you read the first story?

I was getting a little confused about which story was linked to this one. Which one was it?

Preservation of Hawaiian Culture, Land and History

JUN

2007

I think this ia fabulous post. Thank you for doing this for your community.

And I understand your hesitancy to get involved in politics. I grew up in Helena Montana, the capital city. And I moved to Olympia Washington, another capital city. I have been breathing in politics since my childhood LOL Up to my ears as they say.

But there is a saying I have heard that goes, "If real estate is your career, then politics should be your business."

Hmm....I had to spit it out after it started sucking in....hahaha. Thanks for your input and your comments regarding this post. Seems everyone may be a little hesitant to jump in on this one. Maybe there will be a sequel somewhere down the line...when there some sort of decision...will keep everyone posted.

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