August 28, 2010 – Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Video by David Corrigan
Residents, surfers and Hawaiians living in Kona came out in force to oppose a plan for a four-story, 16-unit condominium at Holualoa Bay near Lyman’s surf spot.
Testimony against the granting of a special management area use permit to the developer of the condo was unified at the Leeward Planning Commission meeting on Friday at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel. Over 100 people packed the conference room and forced staff to open an adjoining room to accommodate the large crowd.
The meeting followed a site visit held earlier that same day. Commissioners toured the area of the proposed project, which overlooks Holualoa Bay and a popular surf spot known to locals as Lyman’s. While the mass of commissioners and attorneys followed developer William Foulk over the lava rock shoreline, Native Hawaiians made their presence known with song and hula.
Many who opposed the project said they wanted to preserve the aesthetic of the area, which has few high rises and offers sweeping views of the ocean from Alii Drive.
A decision by the Leeward Planning Commission, as well as a hearing on a contested case brought forth by surrounding property owners, was delayed. Foulk’s attorney, Thomas Yeh, said the Hawaii Historic Preservation Division first wanted an updated archaeological inventory survey and a cultural impact statement. The matter is likely to be discussed again in December.
| Unified opposition to Lyman’s surf spot condo plan
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. Highlites from the 30 or so Kona residents who testified against the plan to build a four-story, 16-unit condominium at Holualoa Bay near Lyman’s surf spot on Friday. |
| Angel Pilago testifies at Leeward Planning Commission
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. Testifying before the Leeward Planning Commission that he helped to create during his tenure as Noth Kona Councilman, Angel Pilago stands against the further development of the popular Alii Drive surf spot. |
| Kupuna Hannah Reeves emotional testimony
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. Hannah Reeves, respected kupuna in the Kona community, delivers powerful testimony at the Leeward Planning Commission meeting on Friday. Many Hawaiians in the audience were moved to tears by her passionate defense against the desecration of her ancestral lands. |
| Jerome Kanuha shares a surfer’s mana’o
Get
the Flash Player to see this player. Jerome Kanuha, long time surfer of Holualoa Bay and Lyman’s, speaks to the planning commission from the perspective of a waterman in the hopes of preserving the beauty of the Alii Drive shoreline as it is. |
facebook comments:
Powerful images and testimony. Excellent videos. Thank you.
save the coastline, Hawaii needs preservation!