April 5, 12 pm-4 pm Keauhou Bay
Concert With Maka Gallinger
Take Photo Booth Photos To Help Bring Awareness that Keauhou Bay Needs Saving From A Bungalow Resort Development🤙
Bring a chair, water, and snacks
Kamehameha Schools want to develop Keauhou Bay into a Bungalow Resort Development
Kamehameha Schools Bungalow Resort Development WILL Have 43 Buildings with 150 Rooms X 3 People Per Room = 450 or More Visitors Added to Small, Historical Keauhou Bay. See their plan at this link: https://www.ksbe.edu/keauhou-bay.
You're welcome to use the Keauhou Bay Photos Below in any way that can help you oppose this development.
Follow me on Facebook to stay informed https://www.facebook.com/BigIslandSupport/.
If you have questions and/or want my support at your meeting email me at bigislandtalk@gmail.com, or call me at 8086994331 Rebecca Melendez.
Actions You Can Take
Share This Page
SIGN AND SHARE THESE 2 OPPOSING PETITIONS
Help Save Keauhou Bay Petition Link: https://www.change.org/p/save-keauhou-bay-from-becoming-a-big-crowded-resort?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=92a53560-1e91-11e5-b4ef-b94e90cedbdd
Help Big Island Resources and Infrastructure Petition Link: https://www.change.org/p/help-big-island-resources-and-infrastructure-stay-safe-for-all-who-live-here-and-visit/dashboard
Making Comments on the ABOVE Petitions is Extremely helpful because your comments are shared in emails. Mahalo!
We Need To Stand Together and Be Loud To Save Keauhou Bay From a Bungalow Resort Development.
Many of us need to make an effort or we all will lose this historic bay to hundreds of tourists.
There's a lot to learn in the development process. I apologize for hearing different things from different people. I'm doing my best to learn what we need to do, and being loud is one of the biggest things we can do. It's hard to know what exactly is true.
What is happening: I called the Environmental Review Program and spoke with Tom Eisen 8085864185. He explained they are waiting for Kamehameha School's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Final Draft to be published in the Environmental Review Program.
The Final EIS is supposed to be Objective, stating what permits are needed for this development. I am hoping they won't find a way around certain Acts and Laws.
It also needs to adequately answer ALL comment letters received during the Comment Period and follow certain Standards and Criteria, like having certain elements and chapters.
If G70 (the company Kamehameha Schools hired to complete the EIS) properly follows the above information, the Hawai'i Planning Department must approve it as a legal document.
If they didn't adequately answer our comment questions, we can tell Hawai'i Planning that the EIS shouldn’t be approved and show where it didn’t follow the rules. G70 can then fix the issues.
We need to look to see how they will answer:
Keauhou Bay being "Impaired Water" by the US EPA
Clean Water Act
Cultural Impact Statement Law
Endangered Species Act of 1973
Golf Course Runoff Pollution
An EIS is a legal document, and I learned that it must be approved if it provides all the required information, or KS can sue the Hawai'i Planning Department. We can also sue the Hawai'i Planning Department if they approve the EIS and it does not adequately answer our questions, and it's best to inform them before taking legal action.
If you have questions about the Environmental Review Program, please call Tom Eisen 8085864185 or send a message here https://planning.hawaii.gov/erp/contact/.
When the final EIS is available, we will be able to see what permits are needed. We will need to be loud during the comment period regarding those permits.
Sign up for the Environmental Review Email List and keep your eyes open for the KS Keauhou Bay Management Plan in their Newsletter. It comes out on the 8th and 23rd. Let me know if you see the KS Keauhou Bay Management Plan EIS bigislandtalk@gmail.com. The more eyes looking the better.
Click here and look for where you can Sign Up for the Environmental Review Program Newsletter: https://planning.hawaii.gov/erp/contact/?
Steps You Can Take Below Today.
Mahalo for your time and efforts.
1) Email the Hawai'i Planning and the County Council Ask them to Amend the 2045 General Plan and make Keauhou Bay Recreation Land.
Copy and Paste All Email Addresses: GeneralPlan@hawaiicounty.gov, WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov, LPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov, rebecca.villegas@hawaiicounty.gov, heather.kimball@hawaiicounty.gov, jennifer.kagiwada@hawaiicounty.gov,
Copy and Paste Subject Title: Amend Keauhou Bay's Land Use in 2045 General Plan to Recreation Land
Write Your Email or Copy and Paste this Email:
Please Amend Keauhou Bay's Land Use to Recreation because it was zoned Resort many years ago, before the numerous resorts that now surround Keauhou Bay.
The Cultural Impact Statement Law states, "defined by the state historic preservation division to determine whether an action may have a significant effect on cultural practices, particularly native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices expressly..." https://tinyurl.com/CulturalStatementLaw
Overcrowding Keauhou Bay with another resort will have "significant effects on cultural practices" held in the bay.
Keauhou Bay is the birthplace of King Kamehameha III; it should be conserved for its historical and cultural significance, such as canoe paddling, fishing, baptisms, life celebrations, unanimous meetings, yoga practices, and more.
Kamehameha Schools wants to make the canoe club smaller to make room for more tourists and this violates the Cultural Impact Statement Law.
If they are allowed to build 43 buildings with 150 rooms, it will bring in hundreds of tourists to small Keauhou Bay as 150 X 3 people equales 450 people. This will overcrowd and pollute Keauhou Bay for years to come.
Also, the endangered species that inhabit Keauhou Bay include the Monk Seal, Geen Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, and the Hawaiian Hoary Bat. Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, "The purposes of this Act are to provide a means whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may be conserved..." https://tinyurl.com/EndangeredSAct
This is an Act their Bungalow Resort will violate because of the pollution their development will cause.
Keauhou Bay is declared "Impaired Water" by US EPA. Under Section 303 D of the Clean Water Act, "...develop lists of impaired waters. These are waters that are too polluted or otherwise degraded to meet the water quality standards set by states..." https://www.epa.gov/tmdl
Their resort development will contribute to more pollution to Keauhou Bay, thereby violating the Clean Water Act.
Health.hawaii.gov states Keauhou Bay's Natural Ground Cover has been protecting the bay from golf course pollution for years. https://tinyurl.com/HIStormWater
"If polluted runoff reaches the ocean, it can wreak havoc on marine life, including endangered green sea turtles." https://www.chemservice.com/news/polluted-runoff-in-hawaii-endangers-green-sea-turtles/
Keauhou Bay should be considered a National Park, "The National Park Service was created in the Organic Act of 1916. The new agency's mission as managers of national parks and monuments was clearly stated.
"....to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
https://www.nps.gov/grba/learn/management/organic-act-of-1916.htm
Please read all the reasons to Amend the 2045 General Plan and change Keauhou Bay to Recreation land at https://bigislandsupport.com/kbayinfo/.
End Email
Please also send an email directly to Hawai'i Planning Director Jeff Darrow https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/Home/Components/StaffDirectory/StaffDirectory/121/22
2) Kamehameha Schools will definitely need a Special Management permit. This will have a public comment period during which we can be heard.
You'll be able to email, get on their Zoom meeting link, or show up in person to this meeting. The more people who show up in person the BETTER! Mahalo for your time.
I was told two different things. I believe only one of these will happen, and I don't know which one:
One is that the meeting will be a Hawai'i Planning Department meeting about ʻĀina Pauahi - Hawaii Real Estate Group at Kamehameha Schools Keauhou Bay Management Plan applying for their Special Management Permit. Check this link for this meeting https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions/boards-and-commissions-calendar Click on Agenda to learn what the meetings are about. Sign up for their email notifications here. Call them if you have questions at 8089618288, and checking the calendar, even if you sign up for the email list, is always good.
I was also told there would be a County Council meeting about ʻĀina Pauahi - Hawaii Real Estate Group at Kamehameha Schools Keauhou Bay Management Plan Special Management Permit. Please check this link https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/county-calendar. Click on Agenda to learn what the meetings are about. Call them to get on their email list at 8089618255, and check the calendar. Even if you signed up for the email, the list is always good.
Please email me at bigislandtalk@gmail.com if you have any questions and if you find this meeting. The more of us who watch for it, the better chance we all won't miss it. Mahalo!
3) Kamehameha Schools are NOT listening to our voices and if you can mail a paper letter to The Trustees and OPPOSE their resort development in Keauhou Bay. Ask for a meeting to discuss your letter. Call them a week later to make sure they got your letter 8085236200 and ask for a meeting to discuss your opposition. This is an extremely loud action. I am happy to join you at your meeting just email or call me at 8086994331. Maybe if they get more letters, they'll start to listen to us.
Mail Your Letter to:
Kamehameha Schools
Office of Trustees
Kawaiaha‘o Plaza
567 South King St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
4) Email Tiffany Grace at tigrace@ksbe.edu. She is the secretary for Vice President Kāʻeo Duarte of ʻĀina Pauahi - Hawaii Real Estate Group at Kamehameha Schools. Tell Kāʻeo Duarte
Ideas on how they can make money:
For example, KS purchased over 650 acres in Naalehu in 2023. Why not develop that land? https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/01/05/kamehameha-schools-takes-over-more-than-650-acres-land-hawaii-island/
Build simple and nice homes for Hawaiian people so they can pay rent. They can provide lodging for Hawaiian people instead of tourists.
Hale Laau is already developed, so why not open that property for hula shows and... to make money?
KS has 364,000 acres all over Hawai'i. They could develop other lands to make money. Please let them know.
Stand for Saving Keauhou Bay, Helping Endangered Species in the Bay, and Saving Community Practices.
5) Go in person to Kamehameha Schools Office located in the Keauhou Shopping Center North side
6) Call and email Marissa Harman because she is KS rep for this development. Don't make a meeting because she is just their detour away from the top people, and it's good to continue to opposing to all of them. Email her at maharman@ksbe.edu and call her at 8088951865.
7) You are welcome to use the pictures and any researched information in your letter.
Mahalo for Your Time and Efforts
Kamehameha Schools Bungalow Resort development would result in the displacement of Keauhou Bay from its history and traditional cultural practices, exacerbate the already limited capacity of the bay due to its high boat traffic volume, and contribute to pollution that could adversely impact the water quality of Keauhou Bay, which is currently designated as “Impaired Water” by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the identifier #HI713293:
https://mywaterway.epa.gov/waterbody-report/21HI/HI713293/2020
Resort Violates US Environmental Protection Agency because the bay has been declared "Impaired Water". It needs to be cleaned up from pollution. This resort will add more pollution.
KeauhouBay is currently designated as “Impaired Water” by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the identifier #HI713293:
Criteria are one of the three components of a water quality standard (WQS): criteria, designated uses, and antidegradation requirements.
Water quality criteria are the limits on magnitude, duration, and frequency for specific parameters that support the waterbody's designated uses. Parameters can be chemical (e.g., concentrations of particular substances, conductivity, etc.) or physical (e.g., temperature, flow conditions, clarity, etc.). Designated uses are the expressed goals for using the waterbody, including support of aquatic life, human health (e.g., fish consumption, public water supply etc.), and recreational uses (e.g., swimming, boating, etc.). Antidegradation requirements provide a framework for maintaining and protecting water quality that has already been achieved.
Bungalow Resort Will Violate the Traditional Cultural Places National Historic Preservation Act
"What are places of traditional religious and cultural importance?
The National Historic Preservation Act and the 36 CFR 800 regulations, “properties of traditional religious and cultural significance” and “properties of traditional religious and cultural importance.”
These two terms mean the same thing. They are geographic places prominent in a particular group’s cultural practices, beliefs, or values, when those practices, beliefs or values:
(i) are widely shared within the group,
(ii) have been passed down through the generations, and
(iii) have served a recognized role in maintaining the group’s cultural identity for at least 50 years.
Canoe and fishing Practices, have been in Keauhou Bay for hundreds of years since the Hawaiian Kingdom, and this resort will remove these practices by overcrowding the bay, which will take up space and not allow enough room for these cultural practices.
Hundreds of passengers join all the boats in this bay daily because this bay is an extremely high-traffic boating area in a very small bay. There are land markers there that mark the boating lane that is right in the middle of the bay, and there are already many resorts for tourists that surround the entire bay; if another resort is allowed, it will add over 450 or more tourists to this very small bay and put these snorkeling tourists in danger because they will not understand where the boating lane is and how to stay out of boat traffic. This would create a lot of lawsuits should an accident happen, and that would most likely go to the county for allowing another resort because this bay is already overcrowded and does not have room for another resort.
Your assistance in preventing this development is crucial, as the consequence of this unchecked economic growth and development would lead to significant pollution, disrupting the habitat of endangered species such as the Monk Seal, Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, and Hoary Bat.
This resort development violates the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which was enacted to safeguard critically imperiled species from extinction as “consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation.”
Please see the following on the ESA Act of 1973:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_Species_Act_of_1973
Please read this article, "20 Endangered Animals Pushed to the Brink by Habitat Loss" because the Hawksbill Turtle is on this list and has been seen in the Keauhou Bay area. Keauhou Bay is one of the Hawksbill Turtle's habitats, and a bungalow resort development will pollute its habitat forever from pavement runoff pollution, as well as sunscreen washing off from the over 450 or more tourists that will stay in this resort and swim in this bay.
https://rarest.org/animals/endangered-animals-pushed-to-the-brink-by-habitat-loss
"The Hawaiian hoary bat is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.[9] The Hawaiian hoary bat faces threats including habitat loss, collisions with man-made structures such as wind turbines and barbed wire, pesticide impacts on primary food sources, predation and competition with invasive species, roost disturbance, and tree cover reduction."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_hoary_bat
The following studies demonstrate the detrimental impact of developments, damaging coral reefs and marine life:
Zooplankton, an integral component of marine life, will be adversely affected and potentially eliminated if the proposed resort development is permitted. These microscopic organisms serve as a primary food source for manta rays, which are commonly observed in Keauhou Bay, feeding on zooplankton on a daily and nightly basis. The demise of zooplankton due to pollution generated by the development will result in the cessation of manta ray visits to this bay.
For further information, please refer to the article titled “An Ecosystem Under Threat,” which highlights the significant global and local threats faced by Hawaiʻi’s reefs, including overfishing and sediment and nutrient pollution caused by sewage and stormwater runoff.
https://coral.org/en/where-we-work/hawaiian-islands/#:~:text=Hawai%CA%BBi's%20reefs%20face%20major%20global,into%20Hawai%CA%BBi's%20waterways%20every%20day.
Additionally, please consider watching the video and joining the Coral Reef Alliance in their efforts to protect Keauhou Bay’s coral reefs from the proposed Kamehameha Schools Bungalow Resort Development.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak5KdbkVQC8&t=76s.
The land designated for development has historically served as a buffer against golf course pollution, safeguarding Keauhou Bay. Notably, the Hawaiʻi government reports that natural ground cover exhibits a 10% runoff rate, while development-related areas have a significantly higher 55% runoff rate. Even with the presence of storm drains, the pavement created during development will generate more runoff into Keauhou Bay compared to the current natural ground cover, which has effectively mitigated pollution from golf courses for years.
Link to the supporting study:
https://health.hawaii.gov/epo/files/2013/09/Stormwater-MS4-Presentation-HEF-7.15.14.pdf
"Coral Bleaching is occurring more frequently in Hawai'i. Across the Hawaiian Archipelago, coral bleaching has increased in frequency and severity since 1996. The last major bleaching event in 2014-2015 had catastrophic Impacts state-wide… This was the third major bleaching episode in Hawaiʻi over the last 6 years. The frequency of these events is unprecedented in the archipelago. NOAA scientists and partners have determined that the key drivers of the bleaching were environmental factors (such as heat stress, depth, and surface light) and human impacts (sewage effluent and urban run-off). "
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/cautionary-tale-2019-coral-bleaching-event-hawaii#:~:text=Coral%20Bleaching%20Is%20Occurring%20more,had%20catastrophic%20impacts%20state%2Dwide.
Preserving Keauhou Bay is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it violates the Cultural Impact Statement Law, as the Hawaiian people and the local community utilize the bay daily for their cultural practices. Overcrowding the bay with tourists would adversely affect all cultural practices, not only the canoe racing, fishing, volleyball, baptisms, life service celebrations, yoga, and anonymous group meetings but the mana of this sacred place.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2020/bills/SB3152_.HTM
Please read this Opposing Petition with the comments as well. There are thousands of signatures on this petition from the Hawaiian people, locals, and tourists https://www.change.org/p/save-keauhou-bay-from-becoming-a-big-crowded-resort?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=92a53560-1e91-11e5-b4ef-b94e90cedbdd
Kindly refer to the following links for comprehensive scientific evidence that underscores the imperative of conserving the historically significant Keauhou Bay. This conservation should be prioritized over the development into a luxury bungalow resort catering to high-end tourists:
https://bigislandsupport.com/kbayinfo/
https://bigislandsupport.com/savekbay/
Kamehameha Schools Representatives, please forward this to the trustees so they are aware of all the opposition and can fully assess the scientific evidence that their bungalow resort development will harm the bay and the entire community that enjoys it.
I would like to schedule a meeting to discuss my opposition. When can I meet with you?
End of Testimony
Copy & Paste these Email Addresses to Send Your Letter and send to:
Subject Title: Please Conserve Keauhou Bay as a Historical Land, Endangered Species Habitat, and Community Cultural Practices Area
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8) Help spread this information by sharing this website, writing letters to newspapers, posting to all your Facebook groups, getting this information into newspapers, and telling reporters about what is happening.
Please ask your Facebook family and friends to help.
West Hawaii Today Submit News Story: https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/submit-news-story/
Thank you for your time and efforts!
Watch the Video Below to Learn Why Keauhou Bay MUST Be SAVED
Get ready for their LAST comment period to HELP SAVE Keauhou Bay. Follow https://www.facebook.com/BigIslandSupport/
I will do my best to find the last meeting to share it, and sometimes they don't give much notice.
The MORE people who LOOK for this meeting, the BETTER. Please email me should you see it and I will post it all over. Email me at bigislandtalk@gmail.com.
Video Info
PLEASE Stand to save keauhou bay
Stand with Maka Gallinger
Watch Her at The Help Save Keauhou Bay Concert.
Click Blue Link Below and Start Watching at Time 21:00 https://www.facebook.com/maka.gallinger/videos/1656388561924596
Kamehameha Schools say they want to build a bungalow resort in Keauhou Bay because they need money.
They have around 364,000 acres all over Hawai'i, and their Endowment was valued at 14.6 BILLION in 2023. THEY HAVE MANY OTHER OPTIONS to make money than to POLLUTE and OVERCROWD Keauhou Bay FOREVER.
Kamehameha schools development information
Everyone CAN HELP SAVE Keauhou Bay from Resort Development Pollution.
Kamehameha Schools wants to build 43 buildings with 150 rooms, a BIG Bungalow Resort in Keauhou Bay, a Small Historical Bay Where Endangered Species Live, Locals Enjoy Daily Cultural Practices, and it is the Birthplace of King Kamehameha III.
Kamehameha Schools Development Info:
Kamehameha Schools has submitted their Environmental Impact Statement Draft to Develop a Bungalow Resort for High-End Tourists in King Kamehameha III's birthplace, Historical Keauhou Bay on the Big Island.
Click here to see Kamehameha Schools 43 Bui ldings with 150 Rooms Bungalow Resort Development Project.
Keauhou Bay NEEDS YOUR HELP.
Kamehameha Schools says it needs to make money, yet it has two fully developed properties not two miles away from Keauhou Bay, and Kamehameha Schools hardly uses these lands.
Please ask them why they don't use these lands to make money instead of destroying the entire ecosystem in Keauhou Bay.
One of these properties has taken over a decade to develop Kahalu'u Manowai, and they only use this vast, beautiful park for their Private events. The Hale Laau property is right across the street from Kahalu'u Manowai, Kahalu'u Manowai. They only use this huge beautiful park for their Private events, and Hale Laau property is right across the street from Kahalu'u Manowai. I haven't seen this land used for over 30 years.
These properties could be used to make money instead of destroying Keauhou Bay's ecosystem.
Money-making ideas:
Wedding Venue (Big Money Maker) Farmers Markets Venue Concert Venue Movie Night to Connect Community Day passes...
Go to this video link to learn what else they want to do with Hawaiian-endowed land. Marissa Harman, the rep for Kamehameha Schools, told me they are going to offer "Full Access" to ALL their Hawaiian-endowed because Marissa Harman the rep for Kamehameha Schools told me they are going to offer "Full Access" to ALL their Hawaiian Endowed land to their bungalow resort tourists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UtiIWeyLAs
Kamehameha Schools HAVE Lands 2 miles from Keauhou Bay that they've ALREADY DEVELOPED, and they HAVE FENCED OFF to ONLY USE FOR THEIR PRIVATE EVENTS.
This page is NOT against the educational center they want to build in the already developed land and Marissa Harman said if they can't build their Bungalow Resort then they won't build this educational center for the community.
This page is FULLY against their Bungalow Resort Development, which they want to build by clearing the ONLY land that helps protect Keauhou Bay from golf course pollution runoff. Please go to https://bigislandsupport.com/kbayinfo/ to learn more about this.
Right-click on the photo and SAVE it to share it with others.
Watch Videos Below to Learn MORE
MAHALO for YOUR STRENGTH and COURAGE!
More News Interviews About this Development:
Click Here to Listen to Hawai'i Public Radio With an EXPERT Environmental Lawyer Talking About This Development.
Click here to read the Big Island Now News article on Keauhou Bay. First, Marissa Harman, a Kamehameha Schools rep, is interviewed, then an opposing environmental lawyer is interviewed, and then I'm interviewed. Kamehameha Schools doesn't acknowledge the thousands of signatures on the opposing petition or the scientific reports by the world's top. Marissa Harman, Kamehameha Schools rep is interviewed first, then an opposing environmental lawyer is interview, then I'm interviewed and Kamehameha Schools doesn't acknowledge the thousands of signatures on the opposing petition, or the scientific reports by the world's top scientists that show a resort development will pollute Keauhou Bay.
Read Opposing EIS Comment Letters that prove this bungalow resort will KILL CORAL and severely POLLUTE Keauhou Bay FOREVER:
Lawyers, Hawaiians, Scientists, and the Sierra Club's EIS Comment Letters to Help Save Keauhou Bay from Kamehameha School's Bungalow Resort Development
Suggested Email Letter you can send