Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 4, 1 April 2000 — Multi-million dollar development proposed at Hanauma Bay [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Multi-million dollar development proposed at Hanauma Bay

ORDINARILY, IMPROVEMENTS to beach facilities in Hawai'i would represent a weleome use of public funds. But the proposed state-of-the-art Marine Education Center at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is drawing some community criticism. "We are certainly not opposed to education said Roy Benham, former OHA trustee currently residing in Hawai'i Kai. "We are opposed to any development on the pali overlooking Hanauma, and the excavation required in the building's design." Benham, whose first visit to Hanauma Bay was as a Kamehameha seventh grader in 1935, says that the two existing office buildings, constructed less than five years ago, should be remodeled, not demolished as planned. "Those buildings aren't even paid for yet," said Benham. "Instead, constructing a traditional hālau structure for the educational briefings would be appropriate." Plans are for a 10,000 square foot education center with interactive exhibits, videos, marine and geological science displays, as well as administrative and ticket offices. An innovative berm (a landscaped slope) will camouflage the

complex from the parking area. Only the snack bar, at the edge of a precipice, will be visible from the beach below. Park Manager Alan Hong, who has held that post for a decade, believes the facility will help protect the bay through promoting proper education, whieh in turn will enhanee the visitor experience. "The education center will also serve as a holding area for visitors, because no

more than 2,000 people will be allowed down to the beach at any given time," he said. Presently, 3 million visitors make the trek to Hanauma whieh is open daily except Tuesdays. Only 14percentare residents, who are admitted free upon presentation of an I.D. Non-residents

pay $3. A $1 parking charge is assessed to everyone. Hanauma Bay, on 0'ahu's southeast tip, was formed between 30,000 and 40,000 years ago from a tuft eone volcano and explosive ash cones. It has evolved into one of the most spectacular beaches anywhere, teeming with marine life. In the 1860s, Princess Victoria Kamāmalu bequeathed the area to her cousin, Bernice Pauahi. A century later, the Bish-

op Estate turned Hanauma over to the City and County of Honolulu, in exchange for infrastructure development in Hawai'i Kai. In 1967, Hanauma was designated a Marine Life Conservation

District, whieh effectively prohibited the removal of any of the bay's resources, particularly fish. "The education center will allow adequate time and information that visitors will need to properly interact with the preserve," said Hong. "Hanauma is not like other beaches. Feeding the

fish is damaging to the marine population, and walking on the reefs, especially live coral heads, is detrimental." Beverly Palenapa, a member of the East Honolulu Community Coalition whieh opposes the development, said that Hanauma Bay doesn't just belong to the people of Hawai'i Kai. "The Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board supports the development of Hanauma, but really, it is a resource for all of Hawai'i. It gets

so crowded that they close the gate at the top because the parking lot is full." Palenapa, who, like Ēenham, has expressed concerns to the city and the media, said few people are really listening to her eon-

cerns. "One reporter misquoted me in a daily paper as saying 'Hanauma is sacred to Hawaiians because kahuna frequented the area.' What I said was that 'canoes frequented the area,'" explained Palenapa. The East Honolulu Community Coalition is gaining support from such grassroots initiatives as the Ahupua'a Allianee, 'īlio'ulaokalani and the Kai Makana Foundation. "We'd like other groups like eanoe clubs to join in our efforts," said Palenapa, who wants to bring community awareness to the issue. "It's difficult when so many of our people either have never been to Hanauma, or haven't been since they were in school. Hanauma Bay is a marine resource that belongs to all of us." ■

Note: "Hawai'i Kai" was namedfor developer Henry J. Kaiser. Its native name, "Maunalua" (two mountains), refers to Kohelepelepe (known today as Koko Head) and 'Ihi'ihilauākea, two prominent craters in the area.

Story and photos by Manu Boyd

"So manv of our people eitner have never been to Hanauma, or haven't been since they were in school... Hanauma Bay is a marine resource that belongs to all of us." — Beverly "Nana" Palenapa

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The proposed education center, to be built at this site, is estimated to cost more than $10 million.

Hanauma is closed on Tuesdays, allowing respite for marine resources inundated with thousands of people, six days a week.The clearing in the coral reef, known as "Key Hole," is a favorite snorkeling area in the preserve.The hill in the background is 'lhi'ihilauākea crater.

Roy Benham and Beverly "Nana" Palenapa express eoneem over development of the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve.

Richard Duggan, Bishop Museum exhibit designer; Alan Hong, park manager; and Jeff Kurobawa, education specialist, are among supporters of the education center.