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Hanauma
contested-case
hearing coming

The request is filed on behalf
of a native Hawaiian woman

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Mayor Jeremy Harris' plan to build an education center at Hanauma Bay is headed to a contested-case hearing.

After five hours of testimony before the state Board of Land and Natural Resources last evening, Bob Ackerson requested the hearing on behalf of Beverly Palenapa, a native Hawaiian.

Ackerson said Palenapa's interests would be harmed if the plan is approved because the site is sacred to Hawaiians.

Palenapa, in earlier testimony, said Hawaiian groups were not involved in the planning process. "I'm opposed to the granting of a conditional use permit," she said. "Why were there no native Hawaiian groups to be on the task force? ... Did you know that all the kahunas and all the chiefs used to come there? It was a very special place."

Ackerson suggested that the majority of residents of East Honolulu opposes the plan or at least wants more time to consider it, referring to a petition signed by nearly 2,000 individuals.

An overflow crowd of perhaps 70 attended the hearing in the small board room.

Thirty-eight speakers gave testimony following presentations by board staff, a city consultant and city representatives. Twenty-three favored approving the city application for a conservation district use permit to make proposed Hanauma Bay improvements. Fifteen either opposed the plan or advocated a delay for further study.

In addition to a 10,002-square-foot education building on the upper level of Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, the project also calls for demolition of some existing buildings and related structures at the former Job Corps Center.

The $10.2-million plan would include demolition of the snack shop at beach level and building an information kiosk for Friends of Hanauma Bay and a snorkel concession and storage building. Restrooms would be moved back to cliffs.

The board will accept written testimony until 4:30 p.m. Feb. 4.

Charlie Rogers, Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board chairman, said his board voted Tuesday 11-2 to back the plan, emphasizing that it took its time and heard all sides at length before the vote. "We heard everything. We debated it. We yelled at one another, but after all the yelling and screaming. ... "

No one questioned the need to educate the public on what to do or not to do to preserve Hanauma Bay. Some said using volunteers as done now is adequate. Some suggested other relatively inexpensive innovations. Those backing the mayor's plan said the education center-video approach is best.

Alan Hong, Hanauma Bay manager for 10 years, said he has heard preservation education discussed many times. "This is pretty much what it's been distilled to."