County’s purchase of Ka‘u land protects turtle nests, fishing access

KAILUA-KONA — The county purchased more than 3,100 acres in Ka‘u, preserving hawksbill turtle nesting areas, keeping access to fishing sites and eliminating the threat of development.

The acquisition, six years in the making, cost $2.6 million, paid for with local funds as well as state and federal grants.

“Without these special places, we and the islands wouldn’t be the same,” said Kawika Burgess, who nominated the Kahuku Coastal property for purchase in 2009.

The acreage, covering a swath between Ocean View and the coastline, was purchased under a program managed by the county’s Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission.

The program allows members of the public to nominate land the county could potentially purchase and make available for public use, said Alex Kelepolo with the county Finance Department.

When he nominated the parcel, Burgess was working for the Trust for Public Land, looking for parcels that could be preserved.

Examining parcels from island to island, Burgess said, he was searching for places “with significant natural resources.” Eventually, he said, he came across the Kahuku Coastal property.

That prompted him to check it out in person. When he got there, he said, it grabbed his attention.

“When you get to the property, right from the top of the road, you see just how beautiful and awe-inspiring it is,” he said.

He said he was captivated by the area’s natural and cultural value.

“There’s a lot there,” he said. “It’s a fascinating property for sure.”

Properties can be nominated for acquisition for any number of reasons, Kelepolo said, including archaeological sites, protection of habitats and watersheds or potential recreational and educational use. Landowners, however, are not obligated to sell their land, Kelepolo said.

When the commission reviewed and ultimately listed the Kahuku Coastal property as one of its priorities, the commission identified numerous historical and cultural sites at the property, including hawksbill turtle nesting areas, anchialine ponds and accessible black sand beaches for recreational use.

Access to fishing sites, Kelepolo said, was one of the biggest reasons.

The property includes more than a mile of ocean frontage, the 2009 report stated.

Purchase of the property also eliminates the threat of development, said Kelepolo, adding that it was another big justification for buying the property.

Before the county came in, she said, the property was eyed for development.

She said the landowner had plans for a resort in the area.

At 3,127.95 acres, the Kahuku Coastal property is by far the largest parcel the county has acquired.

Since October 2007, the county has acquired 13 different properties, including Kahuku, covering 4,426.26 acres in Kona, Kohala, Hamakua, Ka‘u and Puna.

Of the $2.6 million paid for the property, about $1.2 million came from a U.S. Fish and Wildlife recovery land acquisition grant and an additional $625,245 came from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Legacy Land Conservation Program, Kelepolo said.

Another $764,755 was paid for via the county’s Public Access Open Space and Natural Resources preservation fund. That fund is made up of 2 percent of the property tax revenues the county collects annually.

But while the county takes up the role of buying land, its maintenance and stewardship is given to communities and local groups.

It’s important, Burgess said, for members of the community to take control of management and stewardship of the land, saying properties where the community takes ownership are the most successful.

“Part of it is just connecting people with the island,” he said.

Kelepolo said the county already is in talks with people interested in caring for the property, saying there’s a site visit scheduled next month.

“We have to put all our heads together and help each other out,” she said.

Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.com.