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JUNE 24, 2024​

Please submit comments by August 7th.

​

We write this letter in hopes that everyone will take the time to respond to the recent Environmental Impact Statement that Kamehameha Schools released on June 24, 2024 regarding the building of a new 150 room resort hotel at Keauhou Bay. 

 

The Keauhou-Kahaluʻu Heritage Corridor has faced many changes over the last 75 years, under the direction of Kamehameha Schools, with and mostly without, the thought of the consequences of over development, destroying cultural sites and extractive tourism.

 

Kamehameha Schools proudly advertised ‘A Promise Fulfilled’ regarding Keauhou Resort in 1985 after over 30 years of development including 4 hotels, three which failed, and a historically empty shopping center with high turn over rates. 

 

Is another paved parking lot, a new hotel, or additional shopping and dining space what Keauhou Bay needs or can even support with balance?

 

While we appreciate the fact that Kamehameha Schools is finally making the care and stewardship of the area a priority, including the plans to correct the mistakes made at Keauhou Bay, and Kahaluʻu respectively, they have decided to proceed with the hotel. In past meetings, they have described the area as financially under achieving, and new statements have included alternatives which have all been deemed impossible without the income from the proposed hotel.

 

Last month the 5th Grade Class of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama put on a moving production calling out the cost of tourism reliance, on our water, on our land and our community and the need for change. 

 

We have to ask, are the leaders of Kamehameha Schools listening to the community and their own huamana? 

 

Please let your voice be heard, August 7th is the deadline to submit comments through https://www.ksbe.edu/keauhou-bay

 

Copy any communications and concerns to District 7 Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas, Mayor Roth and Governor Green. Remember this is an election year for District 7 and the Mayoral Race. Ask the hard questions of recumbents and those running to represent us.

 

 

ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION:

 

District 7 Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas

rvillegas@hawaiicounty.gov

 

Mayor Mitch Roth

mitchellroth@yahoo.com

Or https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/mayor/comments-and-concern

 

Governor Josh Green

https://governor.hawaii.gov/contact-us/contact-the-governor/

 

To help get you started on your letter writing:

 

The Environmental Impact Statement and accompany documents posted on June 24th count well over 1000 pages so we have made a partial list of concerns.

 

  • Historically poor water quality in Keauhou Bay has adversely affected sea life and the enjoyment of the bay, conditions will continue to deteriorate with additional development.

 

  • Nene have recently been seen and documented in the area. Development will definitely discourage them from nesting and possibly establishing Keauhou as a home.

 

  • Air Quality will be adversely affected on the short term from construction traffic and dust, but more importantly, long term from increased traffic.

 

  • Increased traffic and congestion, both vehicle and foot.

 

  • Amplification of Noise. Keauhou Bay carries an amazing amount of sound from one side to the other, due partially to its small size.

 

  • Tsunami/Sea Level Rise

 

  • Temperature rise from additional buildings, black top and hardscape.

 

  • Impact from increased number of visitors to the carrying capacity of such a small bay.

 

  • Limited access to the tiny shoreline; the renters of the 150 units using the entire space.​

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