Kamehameha Schools Faces Pushback On Plan To Build ‘Low-Impact’ Resort On Big Island
A draft environmental impact statement remains open for public comment through Aug. 7.
Hawaii’s largest private landowner is asking the public to weigh in on its proposal to build 150 units of bungalow-style lodging at Keauhou Bay, about six miles south of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island鈥檚 leeward coast.
The Kamehameha Schools project envisions the construction of 43 two-story bungalows on 8 acres of a plateau overlooking the bay, which has attracted tourists, snowbirds, full-time residents, retail businesses and community groups.
A of the project is out for public comment until Aug. 7.
KS owns about 54 acres at Keauhou Bay, the birthplace of Kauikeaouli, later Kamehameha III, and home to a royal compound. With a $14.6 billion endowment, KS holds 364,000 acres across various islands and runs a private school system for Hawaiian children established in 1887.
Popular activities now include boating, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, fishing and volleyball. Nighttime manta ray tours are extremely popular.
Most of the hotel bungalows would be fourplexes built to a height of 25 feet with natural building materials. Landscaping would emphasize low-growing native plants typical of a native dryland forest ecosystem, according to the draft environmental study.
The proposed project includes a 鈥渉eritage management corridor鈥 that seeks to honor King Kamehemeha III鈥檚 birth site and Native Hawaiian identity through programs that educate people about native plants, saltwater ponds, the ocean and local culture.
The project would restore the ecology of Hookuku Pond to enhance conditions for native species and restore its cultural significance. The pond was largely filled in to make way for the widening of a beach trail, according to the draft environmental study.
Mo鈥檌keha Cave, which is believed to have been used by high chief Mo鈥檌keha as a hiding place 鈥渢o escape pursuers from Kau,” would be rehabilitated. Litter and debris would be removed and the oval-shaped cave would be managed as an archeological and cultural destination, according to the project description.
Besides the hotel, a new retail area would be built and existing businesses would be relocated.
Marissa Harman, director of asset management for Kamehemeha Schools, describes the project as “regenerative,” something that gives back to the community where it’s situated.
“We’re very focused on the project benefitting the kupa aina of the area which are those born of the area, the lineal descendants, the kama aina, the people who live there now, and we also have a high commitment to our own aina, our culture and our community,” Harman said.
Kamehameha Schools has listened to community concerns over the past two years after it released a management plan for the area, Harman said. KS has pushed out the timeline for the project and is now envisioning a “low-impact” development rather than a “boutique resort,” as it was initially described. The focus is on regenerative tourism rather than more standard visitor industry approaches.
Opposition to the plan appears to be growing. A petition called 鈥淪ave Keauhou Bay From Becoming A Big Crowded Resort鈥 has accumulated more than 5,800 signatures. Around this time two years ago, it had less than 3,000 signatures.
Critics of the plan say the narrow, oval-shaped bay, which is because of turbidity, and surrounding area are not big enough to accommodate a new resort and the area’s nearshore waters are too fragile for more tourism impacts.
鈥淭his will bring a lot of traffic right through this beautiful historical place where many locals hold family funerals, baptisms, birthday parties,鈥 according to the petition.
Opponents say nitrates from existing cesspools and septic systems leach into the bay, along with sediments and fine soils from the land and parking areas adjacent to the bay, which has experienced algae blooms over the years.
Tamyra Rice, who owns a condo in the area, said Tuesday that the draft environmental study fails to adequately address a range of concerns, including traffic, noise, marine water quality and increased demand on the area’s drinking water supply. She’s also concerned about more parking lots being built.
“They’re planning 188 additional parking spaces just for the resort. Plus another 60 parking spaces for the additional restaurant, commercial and retail activities below the resort. That’s a lot of hardscape,” Rice said.
Rice’s husband, Ben, said the couple submitted their concerns in writing two years ago but never heard anything back.
Harman said Kamehameha Schools will respond to every comment submitted in the current public period. She noted that the proposed hotel is in an area zoned for hotels and resorts and KS could be building a far larger development, with some 700 rooms.
Rebecca Villegas, a Hawaii County Council member whose district includes Keauhou Bay, said she hopes KS will listen to and consider the testimony of her constituents. She’s heard from a lot of them about environmental impacts, overtourism and lack of affordable housing.
“My district and my community and the people here need authentic, affordable workforce housing, and other projects outside of that will be challenged,” Villegas said Friday. “The needs of this community do not include more hotel rooms.”
Civil Beat’s coverage of environmental issues on Hawaii island is supported in part by a grant from the Dorrance Family Foundation.
