GOVERNOR LINGLE ANNOUNCES PLAN TO SAVE KA IWI FROM DEVELOPMENT
For Immediate Release: January 25, 2009
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today that the Office of Planning will be filing a petition with the State Land Use Commission to reclassify from urban to conservation, approximately 400 acres of state-owned land on the Ka Iwi Scenic Shoreline on O‘ahu’s south-east coast. The area encompasses the land between Queen’s Beach and the Makapu‘u Lighthouse.
“The current State Land Use Classification of this area is the result of historic planning processes, now over 40 years old, which are no longer consistent with the City & County of Honolulu’s General Plan or the East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan,” said Abbey Seth Mayer, director of the State Office of Planning. “This action is intended to insure that the entire coastline, from Hanauma Bay to Makapu‘u remains undeveloped well into the future.”
The Hawai‘i Kai and Waimanalo communities have fought to save the last open space lands on the southern coast of O‘ahu from development for decades as land owners have changed and brought forth new development proposals. The Department of Land and Natural Resources has improved the Makapu‘u Lighthouse trail and Makapu‘u Beach Overlook within the last several years to make this area more accessible to nature lovers and hikers.
“If the land remains classified as urban, there will always be the threat of development to this unique scenic beach and open space treasure,” said Governor Lingle. “The community has worked to protect this area for future generations and the action my Administration is taking will support their efforts by helping to prevent any further development proposals.”
Lawmakers who represent the area and have helped lead efforts to protect Ka Iwi supported the move to reclassify the land.
“I am pleased that we are finally moving forward with initiating a reclassification for Ka Iwi,” said Representative Gene Ward, who represents Hawai‘i Kai and Kalama Valley. “I hope the Land Use Commission will approve this reclassification to ensure that this magnificent coastline remains undeveloped. The reclassification is an important matter that would finally end fears by community groups and residents who have fought to preserve the coastline for over three decades from unwanted development, ” Ward added.
“On behalf of the residents of East Honolulu and all people of Hawai‘i who respect the ‘ aina I want to thank the Governor and those involved for the leadership and action that will result in the expanded protection and preservation of these most important Ka Iwi lands,” said Senator Sam Slom, whose district includes Hawai‘i Kai, ‘Aina Haina, Kahala and Diamond Head . “We and the generations who follow are grateful for the Governor’s wisdom and concern.”
“I know the community is thankful that Abbey Mayer and most especially the Governor recognize Ka Iwi is a special place and needs to be preserved,” said Sen. Fred Hemmings, whose district includes Hawai‘i Kai, Kailua, Lanikai and Waimanalo .
Mayer will be addressing the Hawai‘i Kai Neighborhood Board and discussing details of the petition process on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Haha‘ione Elementary School.
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For more information, contact:
Abbey Seth Mayer
Director, Office of Planning
Phone: (808) 587-2833
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043
