Protection For Ka ‘Iwi Is Halfway Home

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Editor,

Since 1981, citizens have continually organized to defend the wild natural character and scenic splendor of the southeastern tip of Oahu. The first threat was a resort hotel and golf course planned at Queen’s Beach. Then, in 1987, the threat was a residential development directly opposite Sandy Beach Park.

Now, 29 years later, the state formalized the protected status of 215 ocean-side acres of the Ka ‘Iwi Scenic Shoreline State Park. On June 4, the state Land Use Commission voted 7-0 to reclassify the shoreline from urban to conservation, making future development a remote possibility. The change was requested by Abbey Seth Mayer of the state’s Office of Planning at the prompt of state Sen. Fred Hemmings in conjunction with the Ka ‘Iwi Coalition and Livable Hawaii Kai Hui.

The reclassification guarantees the integrity of the entire Koko Head-toMakapuu coast and reflects the will of the people and the spirit of aloha aina. However, in a June 4 press release, the governor noted “... the battle to preserve Ka ‘Iwi for future generations is not over. The mauka area is not designated conservation, and the potential development of this land remains of paramount concern to the community.” Therefore we must pledge to stay vigilante and ensure the mountainside of the Ka ‘Iwi coast remains unspoiled (aka “No Cabins on Ka ‘Iwi”) and in its wild natural state. For if we lose the beauty of our coastline, we lose what it means to live in Hawaii.

Phil Esterman Elizabeth Reilly
Hawaii Kai