LEO 'ELELE - TRUSTEE MESSAGES

Ka'ena Point

Colette Y. Machado Trustee, Moloka'i and Lāna'i

On Jan. 13 OHA's Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment Committee held a workshop at the YMCA's Camp Erdman to gather information about the Ka'ena Point Natural Area Reserve and the Ka'ena Point State Park Reserve. There are many issues surrounding Ka'ena Point and all of them are complicated and require creativity and sensitivity from the State as land managers and the public as stakeholders.

As one of the last wilderness coastlines on Oÿahu, Kaÿena is cherished by many people, including our beneficiaries, who enjoy a wide range of recreational, subsistence and cultural activities in the area. Increased use over the past decade has placed an incredible amount of pressure on the treasured resources of Kaÿena. The area's native ecosystems are struggling to survive.

Community members who attended our workshop were there for many reasons: overnight fishing, lower road access, burials, the predator fence, and the list goes on. One of the more public issues is the ban on camping. Since 2002, camping has been prohibited in the area and local fishermen have had difficulty with the changes and how they affect legitimate overnight activities.

Committee members in attendance were given an overview of the Department of Land and Natural Resource's Ka'ena Point Ocean Resources Management Plan. It is clear that Kaÿena faces preservation, management and enforcement issues stemming from trash dumping, drinking, drugs, parties and fights that occur or have occurred in the area.

Trustees were introduced to a proposed plan for the establishment of a committee consisting of the many different Kaÿena interest groups. This committee would help develop a plan to manage Kaÿena, examining possible solutions to issues regarding camping, fishing, access and the protection of natural and cultural resources, as well as Native Hawaiian traditional and customary rights.

After the informational workshop, trustees and staff were shuttled to the Natural Area Reserve. The habitat within the 78-acre Natural Area Reserve is very distinguishable from the mile or so preceding it. The Reserve has become a major seabird-nesting site and native vegetation has been restored. Park caretakers noted daily monk seal visits within the protected area. Issues within the Reserve involve the installation of a proposed predatory fence meant to keep rat, mongoose, cat and dog populations from threatening the nesting seabird population.

Our ride to the Reserve, while still in the State Park area, took us 30 minutes to cover roughly a mile and a half. It was evident by the condition of the road that four-wheel drive enthusiasts are one of the biggest threats to Kaÿena. Deep crevices made by truck tires were collection pools for rain water. This is a major concern for the potential unearthing of native burials and erosion that could impact the reef system.

State lawmakers have been introduced to several bills relating to Ka'ena Point this legislative session. HB 645 HD1 aims to create a pilot program to issue annual passes to Hawai'i residents to fish overnight at Ka'ena Point State Park Reserve. The bill originally called for the removal of all camping restrictions for the Kaÿena Point State Park, but it was amended to include the pilot project to see whether overnight camping would be better or worse for Ka'ena State Park. OHA submitted testimony asking for amendments that included a more comprehensive management plan for Kaÿena, which would provide for regulated camping.

The issues facing Ka'ena Point are complicated and numerous, and while many are leery of the state after having fought for so long with it over Kaÿena, plans for current and future preservation and management is a promising step in the right direction.