Hawaii Kai
residents pan city’s
park plan

'You are not doing anything
for anyone in this room'

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

A crowd of Hawaii Kai residents made it plain last night what they think of the city's proposed $13 million Koko Head Regional Park and Nature Preserve: They don't like it.

One of the overriding fears was that access to Hanauma Bay would be restricted for local residents in order to accommodate busloads of tourists. City officials denied that, saying Hanauma Bay would be more accessible to residents.

"I don't think you should do any of this damned thing," David Matthews, longtime protector of the east Oahu coastline, told city officials before an overflow crowd of about 175 at the park arts and crafts room at Koko Head District Park.

The whole rationale of environmental enhancement and improvement is ridiculous, he said. "You are not doing anything for me. You are not doing anything for most of the people in this room."

Francis Oda, chairman, Group 70 International, architectural and planning consultants for the project, said the aim is to preserve and enhance the natural character of the region and restore and protect Hanauma Bay, while reducing traffic congestion.

Facilities would include a natural learning center at the base of Koko Crater and a tram to the summit. Visitors would buy tickets at a plaza for the activities they want. A trolley would take them from Koko Crater to Hanauma Bay.

"We don't need this kind of development," Matthews said. "It's not an enhancement. It's the destruction of a natural area."

If the plan goes through, the city may as well bring in Disney to totally commercialize the place, he said.

"I think this is a waste of money," said Robert Gee, a Friends of Hanauma Bay docent. "I think this is a boondoggle from beginning to end."

Residents objected to going to Koko Crater first to get to Hanauma Bay.

William Balfour, Department of Parks and Recreation director, said he would be happy to meet with snorkeling groups and others to arrange direct access to the bay. He also promised that a baseball field that might be lost to the development would be replaced nearby.

The project is "an attempt to protect the resource for future generations," Oda said.

"This bay was on the brink of dying a number of years ago," Randall Fujiki, director of the Department of Design and Construction, said.

"There were no fish. Remember that? We have brought it back." He said a balance of local access with tourist access is needed.

SPEAK UP TONIGHT The Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board votes tonight on the proposed Koko Head Regional Park and Nature Preserve, beginning at 7 at Hahaione School. Lisa Carter, Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board parks committee chair, urged residents to send comments by May 7 on the draft environmental impact statement for incorporation into the final statement to Group 70 International, 925 Bethel St., Honolulu 96813.