Ka Iwi shoreline

Ka Iwi shoreline History

The Ka Iwi shoreline is located on the eastern end of Oahu in the state of Hawaii, where some of the last volcanic eruptions on the island produced spectacular cliffs and craters. Beaches on the Ka Iwi shoreline include Sandy Beach a popular body surfing site, Wawamalu Beach and Queen's Beach. The area stretches from Hanauma Bay to the Makapuu head and gets its name from the Ka Iwi Channel between Oahu and the island of Molokai. The Ka Iwi shoreline and adjacent open areas have been the subject of a multi-decade struggle between preservationists and the land owner, Kamehameha Schools. The Kamehameha Schools or Bishop Estate as it is otherwise known has over the years had planned to build hotels, golf courses and homes on one of the last large coastal open spaces on the O'ahu. The state of Hawai'i bought 316-acres of open space adjacent to Queen's Beach in 2001. And in 2002, the City and County of Honolulu reached an agreement with Kamehameha Schools and lessee Maunalua Associates for 32 acres of ocean-view property near Sandy Beach for use as a public park.

• SURVIVORS -- Ka Iwi's raw beauty is captured in a new book by photographer Albert Benedict, a survivor in his own right Honolulu Star-Bulletin, December 15 2000.
• City Council must help rescue Ka Iwi coastline -- Council should join mayor, governor in effort to preserve rare open coastline on Oahu Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 24, 1997.
• Queen's Beach to be a state park -- A two-decade controversy over development of the 320-acre area has ended Honolulu Star-Bulletin, July 8, 1997.
• Victory -- Ka Iwi Golf Links Jinxed The Planet Newsletter, November 1998.
• Barayga, Debra. State buys Ka Iwi Coast Kamehameha Schools will get $12.8 million for Queen's Beach, Makapuu Lighthouse land Honolulu Star-Bulletin, June 26, 2001.
• State is stealing Ka Iwi coastline from Hawaiians Honolulu Star-Bulletin, July 2, 2001.
• Liggett, William Reese. Saving Ka Iwi was only the first step Honolulu Star-Bulletin, July 12, 2001.
• Barayuga, Debra. Sandy Beach dispute settled -- Everybody's happy with a land swap that preserves open space and precludes a trial Honolulu Star-Bulletin, February 21, 2002.
• Leone, Diane. Remaking Makapuu Point -- A popular hiking spot's $5 million face lift begins Honolulu Star-Bulletin, July 28, 2005.
• Roig, Suzanne. Thumbs up for Makapu'u access work Honolulu Advertiser, July 18, 2006.
• Ka Iwi permit denial gets OK from residents -- 'Accessory use' of cabins cited in city's rejection of permit Honolulu Star-Bulletin, September 6, 2006.
• Roig, Suzanne. State to give Makapu'u roadway $10M facelift Honolulu Advertiser, January 14, 2007.
• Leone, Diana. ‘No’ to vacation cabin plan -- Residents reject the proposal for vacation cabins in Hawaii Kai Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 9, 2008.