Protecting our coastlines: for our families, for our future has becoming a rallying cry for the O`ahu Group.
West Beach. We protested West Beach Estates refusal to open beach access to one of the lagoons at Ko Olina. The developer's permit and its legal agreement negotiated with Life of the Land in 1984 do not allow the developer any excuse to deny beach access. Our initial protest succeeded in opening up all the beachfront to the public. Call Patrick Onishi, Department of Land Utilization at 523-4432 and tell him that you want the developer to comply with all its permit conditions including providing bathrooms at lagoon four and opening all four lagoons on a full-time basis immediately. The law requires nothing less.
Ka Iwi. The effort to protect the coastline from Hanauma Bay to Makapu`u continues. We are working with the Ka Iwi Action Council to stop the construction of 335 luxury houses on the last undeveloped ridges overlooking Sandy Beach and the construction of a golf course and huge clubhouse at Queen's Beach. Runoff from the subdivisions and increased sewage effluent jeopardizes the coastal waters off Sandy Beach. We also have concerns about water consumption and threats to endangered species along the coast. The Ka Iwi Action Council meets every Tuesday at 7:00 at the Waiokeola Church classrooms, 4705 Kilauea Ave. (across from Kahala Mall). Volunteers are welcome!
Seawalls. It is well documented that seawalls lead to beach loss in Hawai`i. Construction too close to the shoreline often prompts landowners to protect their investment by building seawalls. The O`ahu Group has been commenting on development proposals along the coast that in the long-term threaten our beaches and public shoreline access.
Political Committee. The political committee will be meeting to discuss endorsements in the mayor's race and various state legislative races. All members are invited to join the committee. We are meeting at 6:30 at the First Unitarian Church, 2500 Pali Highway.
For more information on any of these issues, call the office at 538-6616.