Here is IWI KŪPUNA: NATIVE HAWAIIAN BURIAL RIGHTS info: https://luc.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/5.-Iwi-Ku%CC%84puna-Summary_June-2022.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawJtDolleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHoN84DL0VB6HFFo8z-bdzo6zfB5rcadycunkfXVvmYnp4oOmuU1ZI4AmN1IK_aem_4zLPFzEKdVjuDquMEkq2Cg

Thank you so much for standing up to protect your Keauhou Bay. 

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 Keauhou Bay 

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 and what you can do about it:

Kamehameha Schools now has a Special Management Monor Permit to start doing archeological work to create the Bungalow Resort. We need Keauhou descendants to contact them and request to monitor their work. 

If you are a descendant please call Marissa Harman 8088951865 or email her at maharman@ksbe.edu, and let her know you want to monitor their archeological work they want to do on your descendants land.

If you want I am happy to speak to her for you. Call me 8086994331 Rebecca.

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 to be published in the Environmental Review Program. Get on their email list and watch for it.

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 that I personally gave them that they will be violating if they development a bungalow resort. 

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 or stop the process.

We need to look to see how they will answer:

• Keauhou Bay being "Impaired Water" by the US EPA

• Clean Water Act that will be violated

• Cultural Impact Statement Law that will be violated

• Endangered Species Act of 1973 that will be violated

• Golf Course Runoff Pollution that will happen even with drains added

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 to Stay Informed  https://planning.hawaii.gov/erp/contact/?

Steps You Can Take Below Today.

Mahalo for your time and efforts.

1) Kamehameha Schools are NOT listening to our over 7,051 voices that signed the Keauhou Bay petition. 

Please mail a paper letter to The Trustees and OPPOSE their Bungalow Resort Development in Keauhou Bay.

Call them a week later to make sure they got your letter 8085236200 and ask for a meeting to discuss your opposition. If you want I'm happy to join with you at your meeting. Call me 8086994331 Rebecca Melendez. 

This is an extremely loud action and you can use the information in the email letter below as your letter.

You can also use information on this page Keauhou Bay Scientific Info in your letter to Kamehameha Schools on why Keauhou Bay must be saved from their Bungalow Resort Development. 

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. #160

Honolulu, HI 96813

2) Email the Hawai'i Planning and the County Council Ask them to Amend the 2045 General Plan Long Range Designation to make Keauhou Bay Recreation Land because it's titled Resort.

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, dennis.onishi@hawaiicounty.gov, ashley.kierkiewicz@hawaiicounty.gov, matt.kanealii-kleinfelder@hawaiicounty.gov, michelle.galimba@hawaiicounty.gov, holeka.inaba@hawaiicounty.gov, james.hustace@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 Letter: 

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 Darrowhttps://www.hawaiicounty.gov/Home/Components/StaffDirectory/StaffDirectory/121/22

 3) Kamehameha Schools will definitely need a Major Special Management Permit. This will have a public comment period during which we can be heard, and this will be the last place we can stand to Protect Keauhou Bay.

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 and efforts.

I was told two different things. I believe only one of these will happen, and  I don't know which one:

One is that this 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!

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 how you feel about their Bungalow Resort Development in Keauhou Bay. I met with him for an over 2-hour meeting and he is still moving forward. 

Ask for an in-person meeting with him to discuss why you oppose their Bungalow Resort Development in Keauhou Bay. The more people who want to meet in person to OPPOSE it, the BETTER!

The more people who want to meet with him as a group, the better, and I am happy to go to meetings with you if you want more support. Just call me 8086994331. Mahalo for your time and efforts! 

Also, Email tigrace@ksbe.edu and give Kāʻeo Duarte ideas of how they can make money other than developing Keauhou Bay into a bungalow resort development because he told me he would appreciate new ideas.

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 78-6831 Alii Dr, Suite 239, Kailua Kona and OPPOSE their resort development in person.

6) Call and email Marissa Harman because she is KS rep for this development. Don't make a meeting with her 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

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

You're welcome to use any researched information below in your email testimony. All testimonies must be unique so they can hear different points of view. Mahalo, for your time and efforts in protecting historical Keauhou Bay.

My Testimony:

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:

https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/state-specific-water-quality-standards-effective-under-clean-water-act-cwa

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.

A Bungalow Resort Violates the Clean Water Act

"Under Section 303 D of the Clean Water Act (CWA), states, territories, and authorized tribes are required to develop lists of impaired waters. These are waters that are too polluted or otherwise degraded to meet the water quality standards set by states, territories, or authorized tribes." Taken from the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States. 

"How does the 303(d) Impaired Waters and TMDL Program Fit into the Clean Water Act?

As part of the CWA, states must establish water quality standards (WQS) for waters within their borders. Such standards designate the use of the particular waterbody (e.g., recreation or protection of aquatic life), establish water quality criteria to protect the waterbody, and adopt requirements to protect and maintain healthy waters." https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/overview-identifying-and-restoring-impaired-waters-under-section-303d-cwa

Bungalow Resort Will Violate the Traditional Cultural Places National Historic Preservation Act

The National Historic Preservation Act and the 36 CFR800 Regulations https://www.ntc.blm.gov/krc/system/files?file=legacy/uploads/18293/GuidetoTCPs%26SacredSites.pdf

"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. 

This historic bay will become overcrowded with tourists, which will have significant adverse effects on the cultural practices held in this bay, which is againstthe Cultural Impact Statement Law because this Law determines "whether an action may have a significant effect on cultural practices, particularly native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices expressly protected under article XII, section 7, of the state constitution."

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 endangered hoary bat roosts in Keauhou Bay every evening, and the green sea turtle and monk seal frequently swim and rest in the bay.  Numerous endangered species have perished due to the disruption of their natural habitats from development impacts. We must stand up for these species and ensure their survival on the Big Island.

 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

Having hundreds of tourists in the bay will cause issues with canoe training, fishing, baptism services, anonymous services, yoga practices, and the Celebration of Life services held in this bay. This bungalow resort development will affect all the cultural practices of the entire community, and pollute the bay that is home to at least 4 endangered species. 

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:  ksrc@ksbe.edu, maharman@ksbe.edu,  planning@hawaiicounty.gov, Alex.Roy@hawaiicounty.gov, bigislandtalk@gmail.com, 

Subject Title: Please Conserve Keauhou Bay as a Historical Land, Endangered Species Habitat, and Community Cultural Practices Area 

You are welcome to use any of this page's information and add it to any letter as well https://bigislandsupport.com/kbayinfo/ .

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.

Please Keep spreading the word by sending letters to these links as well:

West Hawaii Today Submit News Story: https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/submit-news-story/

West Hawaii Letter to the Editor: https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/letter-to-the-editor/https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/letter-to-the-editor/ 

Hawai'i Tribune Herald Letter to the Editor: https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/letter-to-the-editor/

Thank you for your time and efforts!

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 HAVE Lands 2 miles from Keauhou Bay that they've ALREADY DEVELOPED, and they HAVE FENCED OFF to ONLY USE FOR THEIR PRIVATE EVENTS.