BLNR Hearing on April 26, 2024

Aloha mai kākou,

This week on Friday, April 26, 2024, the Board of Land and Natural Resources is meeting.  I Ola Wailuanui is asking for supporters to submit testimony on agenda item D-1.  Here is a link to the meeting agenda.

I Ola Wailuanui has submitted applications requesting to be granted annual leases of three Revocable Permit (RP) parcels located within the Wailua Kai area.  The Tax Map Key (TMK) numbers are 4-1-003:044, 4-1-003:017, 4-1-005:017.  I Ola Wailuanui is asking supporters to submit testimony on agenda item D-1 in favor of option B3, without being subject to access easement by RP21, as well as expressing support for option C4.

Option B3 is regarding TMK 4-1-003:017, which is situated on the corner of Kūhiō Highway and Kuamoʻo Rd.  The option suggests “issuance of direct lease to I Ola Wailuanui, Inc. for parking, landscaping, and beautification purposes, subject to access easement(s) in favor of RP21 Coco Palms, LLC”.  We fully support the recommendation to allow I Ola Wailaunui to steward this property and provide public use.  However, we do not support utilizing public lands for hotel operations, which is what the parcel being subject to an easement might eventually lead to.

Option C4 is regarding TMK 4-1-005:017, which is situated makai of Kūhiō Highway.  Option C4 suggests “issuance of direct lease to I Ola Wailaunui, Inc. for public access and shoreline preservation initiatives (not subject to any easement in favor of RP21 Coco Palms, LLC”.

Read on for more information on what I Ola Wailuanui has planned for these three RP parcels.

Here is a link to the meeting livestream.

Those wishing to testify in person can do so at 1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), Honolulu, Hawaii.  The meeting will begin at 9 AM.  You may also provide live testimony via Zoom.  Please follow the instructions in the agenda to sign up to provide Zoom testimony.  

Please email testimony by Thursday, April 25, 2024.  Testimony that is received late will still be shared with Board Members and added to the record, but there is a chance it may not be shared before decision-making time.  Email testimony to blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov.

Here is a sample testimony:

Aloha Board of Land and Natural Resources,

My name is __________________ and I am from ________________.

I am submitting testimony on agenda item D1 in support of the Revocable Permits (RPs) being given to I Ola Wailuanui. I do not support the use of these State parcels for resort development and use. I am testifying in support of Option B3, without being subject to access easement by RP21. I am also submitting this testimony in support of Option C4.

Please protect this important site and hand over stewardship to I Ola Wailuanui.

Mahalo,

Name