Resolutions 105 and 106 In support

Testimony of Kamakani ‘O Kohala Ohana – Kako’o P.O. Box 76, Hawi HI 96719 website: kamakani.org

The members of Kako’o, ask the Council members to include the purchase of the lands at Pao’o and Kaiholena together at the top of the County’s priority list for purchase. Together they will protect from imminent development two key joining sections of the North Kohala coast.

We have offered testimony about the importance of preserving the legacy of Hawaiian life during the Kamehameha period at the last hearing of these resolutions. Today we want to show you how

Preserving the North Kohala scenic leeward coastline carries with it many economic benefits to the County as well as to island residents and businesses.

Archeological and scientific grants -- 700 years of evidence of Hawaiian habitation lie intact in the soils of Kohala coastal lands. Because Pao’o and Kaiholena are privately owned surveys on them have been focused only on surface interpretation. As public land they would trigger far more intensive study of coastal life as early as 1300. Grants would generate:
--extended visits by scientists involving housing, transportation, food.
--employment for research assistants, graduate students.
--teaching opportunities to benefit local university and high school educators.
--support crews for dig sites.

Ocean research –- by leaving the coastline free of construction and exotic landscaping the reefs offshore would be an ideal laboratory for study of the Kohala reefs. These include:
--land and sea-based research grants involving housing, transportation and food.
--employment for ocean-related jobs, research assistants and ground support.
--teaching opportunities for local schools.

Scenic drive – Preserving the coast from development of a string of oceanfront mansion would maintain beauty and could be promoted to expand the use of the coast as a scenic drive of visitors from Kona and Hilo. We would see:
--increase in car rentals.
--increase in visitor-oriented businesses and restaurants in North Kohala and Kawaihae.
--increase in visitor activities such as fluming, horse and ATV trips.

Eco-tourism – An open coast free of development would preserve Kohala as a wild place for visitors seeking outdoor adventure away from urban living. This would lead to:
--employment and support base for boating and diving trips.
--employment and support base for kayaking tours.
--employment and support for hikers along the Federally designated Ala Kahakai.

Film location – The pristine nature of the coast has already attracted millions of dollars to the Big Island as location for full length films, documentaries and advertisements. The wide sweeps of nature are a draw to location planners creating:
--jobs in a variety of fields with filming on location.
--support facilities for film crews create jobs.

Hawaiian interpretive sites – The State Historical Park at Lapakahi attracts many visitors and educational groups. Other lands added to the public domain could turn the coast into a series of interpretive sites creating:
--jobs for cultural interpreters, crafts people, native practitioners.
--teaching opportunities for local schools.

Preserving the North Kohala coast is not just for saving historic sites and viewplanes. It can benefit the county’s economy as well.