The state’s largest private landowner is seeking public input on a plan to reconfigure commercial and cultural attractions at Keauhou Bay and build a 150-unit bungalow-style resort.
Kamehameha Schools plans to develop or redevelop 29 of the 54 acres it owns on Keauhou Bay to better manage traffic flow and create a heritage management corridor, Honolulu consultant G70 states in its 88-page Environmental Impact Statement preparation notice released Wednesday.
A public scoping meeting is planned for April 11 and the public can also submit written comments by April 22.
One of the focuses of the plan is the birth site of Kauikeaouli, who would become Kamehameha III. The plan is to relocate commercial activities fronting the birth site area in order to steward the area and create linkages to other cultural sites in the region through a heritage management corridor.
Additionally, the Old Kona Road will be reestablished as the primary vehicle through-fare through the bay to direct traffic away from the birth site.
“One of the strong criticisms by community and cultural leaders is the extent to which bayfront activities lead to a congested environment with either parking at the bay or long lines of customers waiting to board for commercial vessels,” consultants said in the report.
The existing walking path along the Ahuula Cliff will be extended from the birth site to the Moikeha Cave and rehabilitated with native landscaping to maintain and enhance the Hawaiian sense of place. All stewardship activities occurring near the Kauikeaouli’s birth site will be completed in concert with the Daughters of Hawaii, key lineal descendants and cultural stakeholders. Three new pavilions will also be constructed along the pathway to offer shaded seating areas for social gatherings, cultural programming, or quiet areas for reflection.
A new commercial area will be established south of the bay before any relocation will occur. The new facility will include approximately 9,520 square feet of commercial space and feature a 3,000-square-foot fine dining restaurant.
There will also be spaces for small-scale commercial activities on the north side of the bay along the Old Kona Road. This area will consist of approximately 10 kiosks for ocean recreational activity check-in points or food and craft stands. Kiosks will be leased by Kamehameha Schools to individual businesses to provide revenue generation and a unique village commercial experience for both visitors and recreational users at Keauhou Bay, the report states.
The resort is planned for the plateau overlooking Keauhou Bay mauka of Old Kona Road. The resort will consist of 43 two-story four-plex bungalows arranged over an approximately 8-acre area of the plateau. Each 1,800-square-foot suite will be equipped with an en-suite bathroom and outdoor lanai.
The project is expected to commence between 2023 and 2025, once the required county permits are issued. The project requires three state permits and four county permits, including a special management area permit, a use permit and grading and building permits.
The commercial bayfront area will be the first part of the project, with the revenue from commercial leases helping to fund the next phases of the project.
A public scoping meeting will be held at 6 p.m. April 11 via Zoom at https://g70design.zoom.us/j/89816255216 . The public can also comment in writing by sending comments to the county, with copies to Kamehameha Schools and its consultant by April 22. Details here: https://bit.ly/36qdv8E.
Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com.
