LWV Lauds Sandy Beach Coalition

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After nearly 30 years of fighting to protect the precious swath of land along the Ka Iwi coastline, the Save Sandy Beach/Ka Iwi Coalition is being honored for its efforts.

The Honolulu League of Women Voters Education Board Fund chose it as the recipient of the third annual Astrid & Donald Monson Community Action Award given to an organization or individual who has “made outstanding contributions toward or involving public interest planning, housing or environmental issues.”

The Waialae Public Charter School ohana threw a garden party recently to prepare the soil for spring and maintain its current crops for the ongoing ‘Aina Is program with Kokua Hawaii Foundation. Students Kainoa Chesemore Walling (left), Lucy Dooley-Carll and Noelani Chesemore Walling ably wield their heavy shovels to turn the soil in a plant bed. Photo by Anthony Grillo.

The coalition began in the early 1980s as Friends of Queen’s Beach, working to raise awareness about the need to preserve the pristine coastline span from Makapuu to Koko Head. Its efforts have led to changes in public policy on land use in Hawaii, including the call for public input and for re-classifying the Ka Iwi shoreline as conservation land.

The organization devotes its current efforts to protecting the mauka side of the coast, which is privately owned and has been offered up in early plans as a possible site for residential development.

The award will be presented Sunday during a champagne brunch at the Hale Koa Hotel. Festivities begin at 10:30 a.m., and seats can be reserved for $35 in advance, or $40 at the door. For tickets, call 531-7448.