Local citizens and activists have fought relentlessly to preserve this wild coastline. A state park exists at Kealakekua Bay and the ocean waters are a marine life conservation district (note: this link requires Adobe Acrobat Reader). These designations offer a certain degree of protection, however, inappropriate development in the surrounding areas has impacted this coastline. Currently, two grassroots groups, Keep Kealakekua Wild and Protect Keopuka 'Ohana, are organizing support to protect Kealakekua Bay. These groups have sued for violations of laws protecting water quality, burial sites, and agricultural lands. You can read about the details of these suits on the Keep Kealakekua Wild website.

In addition to the efforts of these groups, the mayor of the Big Island, Harry Kim, recently proposed placing a significant portion of the lands surrounding Kealakekua Bay in the conservation district. This land use designation would place additional protections on the land and force more rigorous scrutiny of any development proposals. The Planning Commission and County Council still must give final approval of this designation.

 

Malama Kahakai Homepage / Intro to Kealakekua Bay / Threats to Kealakekua Bay / Hawaii's Wild Coastlines / Protect the Coast /

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