Governor Lingle Announces Plan to Save Ka Iwi from Development

by Lori Arizumi |February 5, 2009

Governor Linda Lingle has announced that the Office of Planning will be filing a petition with the State Land Use Commission to reclassify 235 acres of state-owned land on the Ka Iwi Scenic Shoreline on Oahu's southeast coast from urban use to conservation use. The area encompasses the land between Queen’s Beach and the Makapu‘u Lighthouse.

Abbey Seth Mayer, Director of the State Office of Planning, presented details of the petition process to the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board on Tuesday, January 27, 2009.

In the 1960s, the land was zoned for a resort until 1964, when the state land districts were reclassified as urban use land. In 1985, opposition grew among the Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo communities who fought to save the last open space lands on the southern coast of Oahu from development. Community and nonprofit groups, for decades, persisted as land-owners have changed and brought forth new development proposals.

"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."

But even as applause sounded for the makai success, concerns were raised over the mauka section of two large parcels of about 184 acres. These parcels have been purchased within the last year, and Mayer said there haven’t been any proposals submitted yet. But as they are now designated P-2 general conservation, another drive must be made to petition for the same protection as the makai portion.

Neighborhood board member Elizabeth Reilly was one of the committee members to push this action through, and cautioned that the fight is not quite over.

Mayer explained, in his presentation, the process it takes to move the lands under private ownership in conservation. The property owners have rights of land use until the entitlements are removed. To initiate the process, petitions must be prepared and determination made as to whether an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is needed. After the petition is filed with the Land Use Commission, the state must respond within 180 days, when the first hearings will be called. A decision to reclassify is rendered within one year.

Asked how the community can help, Mayer responded that resolutions in support of the action, by the neighborhood boards to the state and city council, and citizens appearing at the public hearings or submitting testimony are important avenues.

"The state cannot jump into that process without due diligence," said Mayer. "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. This action is intended to insure that the entire coastline, from Hanauma Bay to Makapu‘u remains undeveloped well into the future."

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.

Lawmakers who represent the area and have helped lead efforts to protect Ka Iwi supported the move to reclassify the land. Representatives Gene Ward and Lyla Berg, and State Senators Sam Slom and Fred Hemmings expressed thanks to Governor Lingle for moving this forward, even in these uncertain times.

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