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FWD from Green Flash News:
Sept. 15, 2006, Punaluu Beach, Kau, Hawai`I
For Immediate Release:
For More Information :
go to: <www.kaupreservation.org>
or call 808-928-1018.
THE TRUTH
ABOUT:
DEVELOPER’S PLANS FOR MASSIVE LUXURY “ECO” RESORT
AT PUNALU`U
Jean Michel Cousteau Supports Development that Would Destroy Natural and Sacred Areas, and Endanger Protected Species
Why would a leading “environmentalist and ocean explorer” support a massive development that will, according to most experts, have a negative impact on fragile coastal habitat of some of the most endangered species in the world, in one of last great open spaces of Hawai`i? This is the question that has many scratching their heads in disbelief when they learn that the son of the late legendary Jacques Cousteau, is a partner in the construction of a mega “eco” resort that would be built on sacred Hawaiian lands protected for generations.
Riding positive publicity from his recent film production about the northwest Hawaiian islands, Jean-Michel Cousteau, has decided to support a project that will harm critical habitat at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach in Hawai`i’s southernmost undeveloped region.
According to West Hawaii Today (9/15/06), JM Cousteau is a paid consultant to Sea Mountain Five, the Beverly Hills investment group planning a massive luxury resort at Punalu`u with over 1,800 homes, a hotel and shopping center.
According to the Hawai`i Tribune Herald (9/15/06), this is not the first time that JM Cousteau has worked with developers. “His organization, Ocean Futures also is active at 10 other ocean environmentally conscious developments. One, Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, tore a rift in the Cousteau family. Cousteau initially did not have "Jean-Michel" in the hotel's title, which prompted his father, Jacques, to file a lawsuit demanding that the first name be added.”
To date, Ka`u Preservation’s many attempts to reach JM Cousteau by phone have failed.
Both the developer and JM Cousteau claim they are working closely with the community, but in fact, they have given no notice of any meetings to the public since they presented their project in January. They have also excluded anyone from the monthly “private” meetings by lack of notification that have questioned the development, including members of Ka`u Preservation. According to Joanne Fierstein, a member of Ka`u Preservation, who attended all of the meetings since the group’s formation, “I was not notified of the last two meetings after I questioned statements by Pat Blew, who represents the development.”
George Atta, Group 70 International planning consultant, representing the developer, claims “they will provide 500 permanent jobs,” without definition. In fact, based on the model of other eco-resorts, most of the permanent jobs will be low paying, unskilled labor positions. The developer admits that “construction workers will have to be brought in from the outside” thus reducing opportunities for local employment.
Atta also envisions a temporary housing project to be built on “adjacent Hawaiian Homelands” that is currently zoned “Conservation” to provide the “out-of-town” construction workers a place to live. This would mean taking more lands out of conservation for affordable housing, rather than putting affordable housing where the development is proposed.
The developer promises to keep all development “on average” four hundred feet from the coast. Does this mean that the hotel complex and shopping center will be built closer than 400 feet in some areas?
The developer also claims to be “working with people in Ka`u to shape the Cultural Center” they are promising. However, according to the Sept. issue of the Ka`u Calendar the developer is in negotiations with a “community group” named `O Ka`u Kakou (“We are Ka`u”) which represents a small group of people who have been supporting the development since its inception and some of who have agreed to serve as consultants for Group 70. In fact, some of the members of this group are in a position to benefit financially by the development if approved. The developer has never attempted to contact Ka`u Preservation, Ka`u’s largest community group with several hundred supporters who have been actively protecting Ka’u’s resources for over twenty years.
West Hawai`i Today (9/15/06) states that in 1989... “despite objections by the community and Hawaiian groups, Punalu`u Development received a special management area (SMA) permit from the Planning Commission.” In fact the paper failed to mention that the SMA permit was stopped in a court action in a contested case hearing, brought on by Punalu`u Preservation which is now Ka`u Preservation.
For more information on Ka`u Preservation’s effort to preserve the sacred lands of Ka`u,
go to: www.kaupreservation.org <www.kaupreservation.org> or call 808-928-1018.
* * *
Sept. 15, 2006, Punaluu Beach, Kau, Hawai`I
For Immediate Release:
For More Information :
go to: <www.kaupreservation.org>
or call 808-928-1018.
THE TRUTH
ABOUT:
DEVELOPER’S PLANS FOR MASSIVE LUXURY “ECO” RESORT
AT PUNALU`U
Jean Michel Cousteau Supports Development that Would Destroy Natural and Sacred Areas, and Endanger Protected Species
Why would a leading “environmentalist and ocean explorer” support a massive development that will, according to most experts, have a negative impact on fragile coastal habitat of some of the most endangered species in the world, in one of last great open spaces of Hawai`i? This is the question that has many scratching their heads in disbelief when they learn that the son of the late legendary Jacques Cousteau, is a partner in the construction of a mega “eco” resort that would be built on sacred Hawaiian lands protected for generations.
Riding positive publicity from his recent film production about the northwest Hawaiian islands, Jean-Michel Cousteau, has decided to support a project that will harm critical habitat at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach in Hawai`i’s southernmost undeveloped region.
According to West Hawaii Today (9/15/06), JM Cousteau is a paid consultant to Sea Mountain Five, the Beverly Hills investment group planning a massive luxury resort at Punalu`u with over 1,800 homes, a hotel and shopping center.
According to the Hawai`i Tribune Herald (9/15/06), this is not the first time that JM Cousteau has worked with developers. “His organization, Ocean Futures also is active at 10 other ocean environmentally conscious developments. One, Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, tore a rift in the Cousteau family. Cousteau initially did not have "Jean-Michel" in the hotel's title, which prompted his father, Jacques, to file a lawsuit demanding that the first name be added.”
To date, Ka`u Preservation’s many attempts to reach JM Cousteau by phone have failed.
Both the developer and JM Cousteau claim they are working closely with the community, but in fact, they have given no notice of any meetings to the public since they presented their project in January. They have also excluded anyone from the monthly “private” meetings by lack of notification that have questioned the development, including members of Ka`u Preservation. According to Joanne Fierstein, a member of Ka`u Preservation, who attended all of the meetings since the group’s formation, “I was not notified of the last two meetings after I questioned statements by Pat Blew, who represents the development.”
George Atta, Group 70 International planning consultant, representing the developer, claims “they will provide 500 permanent jobs,” without definition. In fact, based on the model of other eco-resorts, most of the permanent jobs will be low paying, unskilled labor positions. The developer admits that “construction workers will have to be brought in from the outside” thus reducing opportunities for local employment.
Atta also envisions a temporary housing project to be built on “adjacent Hawaiian Homelands” that is currently zoned “Conservation” to provide the “out-of-town” construction workers a place to live. This would mean taking more lands out of conservation for affordable housing, rather than putting affordable housing where the development is proposed.
The developer promises to keep all development “on average” four hundred feet from the coast. Does this mean that the hotel complex and shopping center will be built closer than 400 feet in some areas?
The developer also claims to be “working with people in Ka`u to shape the Cultural Center” they are promising. However, according to the Sept. issue of the Ka`u Calendar the developer is in negotiations with a “community group” named `O Ka`u Kakou (“We are Ka`u”) which represents a small group of people who have been supporting the development since its inception and some of who have agreed to serve as consultants for Group 70. In fact, some of the members of this group are in a position to benefit financially by the development if approved. The developer has never attempted to contact Ka`u Preservation, Ka`u’s largest community group with several hundred supporters who have been actively protecting Ka’u’s resources for over twenty years.
West Hawai`i Today (9/15/06) states that in 1989... “despite objections by the community and Hawaiian groups, Punalu`u Development received a special management area (SMA) permit from the Planning Commission.” In fact the paper failed to mention that the SMA permit was stopped in a court action in a contested case hearing, brought on by Punalu`u Preservation which is now Ka`u Preservation.
For more information on Ka`u Preservation’s effort to preserve the sacred lands of Ka`u,
go to: www.kaupreservation.org <www.kaupreservation.org> or call 808-928-1018.
* * *
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Re: Ka'u In Danger: Jean Michel Cousteau Supports Development that Would Destroy Natural and Sacred Areas, Endanger Protected Species
Fri, September 22, 2006 - 10:08 AMDevelopers have been doing end runs around concerned groups for years. They have the US government as a prime example on how to do it with the way the government set up dummy leadership on the reservations. Of course, this "leadership" would vote for whatever the BIA or government wanted claiming it was good for the tribe. The Supreme Court upheld a ruling that said that the city of New London could take people's property by immininent domain and give it to a developer. People who had lived on the waterfront through generations forced out for rich people's playgrounds. The same happened in Florida and Massachusetts. The irony is that they are coming in to a beautiful place, drawn by its beauty, and their claim is that they will make it beautiful. Oh yeah, like they could do better than Earth Mother.
We, the Corporation of the United States of America, in order to make a more perfect merger,........ -
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Unsu...
Green Flash: Ka'u Protection Act will help guard against such development
Wed, October 4, 2006 - 6:12 PMAloha e,
Yes indeed. Developers and their sleazy tactics...sigh... I am glad to report that there was a huge community meeting in Punalu'u last week and this project is probably pau (over) as a result. And the following press release from Jack Kelly's Green Flash news also adds a very positive note.
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From Green Flash News:
September 29, 2006
Congressman Case Introduces the
Ka'u Coast Preservation Act
Editor’s Note:
Thank you Ed Case for all you’ve done for Hawaii for your aloha and for doing what you say you are going to do. That is pretty unusual in the present political climate and we applaud you.
As Ed states in his announcement, the Ka‘u Coast Preservation Act has come about due to the incredible energy and collaboration of the Ka‘u community. We hope that everyone understands that now the work has to move to the federal level to get this act passed and to forever preserve the Ka‘u Coastline.
As you know, Ed will not be there to do it for us. It will be up to us to direct our new U.S. Representative to focus on this acquisition as a first order of business.
Dear Friends,
One of my passions in Congress has been the preservation of Hawaii's endangered special places. To this end, yesterday I introduced H.R. 6202, the Ka'u Coast Preservation Act, a bill that directs the National Park Service (NPS) to formally assess inclusion into our National Park System of over 20,000 acres along 27 miles of Hawaii Island's spectacular Ka'u Coast between Kapao'o Point and Kahuku Point.
By way of background, in March 2005 I asked NPS to conduct a reconnaissance survey of the Ka'u Coast. Such a survey is the first step in considering whether an area's resources meet the stringent criteria for potential inclusion in our country's National Park System. If a survey does conclude that the criteria are met, then a full resource study is the next step. Such a study considers the feasibility of acquisition as well as the appropriate designation of the resource within the system, ranging from national park to national seashore, national historic area, national scenic area, and other possibilities.
NPS completed a draft Ka'u Coast reconnaissance survey of the area covered in my bill earlier this month, and is currently finalizing the survey. The initial draft provides a thorough overview of the invaluable and threatened natural and cultural resources of the study area, and concludes: "Based upon the significance of the resources in the study area, and the current integrity and intact condition of these resources, a preliminary finding of national significance and suitability can be concluded." The draft goes on to recommend that Congress authorize a full resource study.
At present, the beautiful coastline of Ka'u is largely pristine: unspoiled, undeveloped, and uninhabited. Its contains significant natural, geological, and archeological features. The northern part of the study area abuts Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and contains a number of notable geological features, including an huge ancient lava tube known as the Great Crack, which NPS has expressed interest in acquiring in the past.
The study area includes both black and green sand beaches as well as a number of endangered and threatened species, most notably the endangered hawksbill turtle, the threatened green sea turtle, the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the endangered Hawaiian hawk, native bees, the endangered and very rare Hawaiian orange-black damselfly, and a number of native endemic birds. Humpback whales and spinner dolphins frequent the area. The area also boasts some of the best remaining examples of native coastal vegetation in Hawai'i. Although NPS was unable to conduct a full survey of marine resources, there is no question that the varied and undeveloped habitats in the study area support high levels of marine biodiversity as well.
Archeological resources reflecting substantial ancient Hawaiian settlement in the study area includes the Puhiula Cave, dwelling complexes, heiau, walls, fishing and canoe houses, burial sites, petroglyphs, water and salt collection sites, other caves, and trails. The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail runs through the area. The area is also remarkable for its magnificent viewplanes.
Ka'u is one the last truly unspoiled places left in our Hawai'i. It is, however, under tremendous development pressure, despite the fact that these coastal lands are subject to volcanic eruptions, seismic activity, tsunami, and other hazards. More earthquakes occur in the Ka'u area than anywhere in the state, with the hazard risk level in the study area ranging from the highest(category 1) in some parts to between 3 and 6 for the balance of the area. Thus, development would not only destroy one of the most unique resources in our state, but would pose ongoing risks to human life.
Efforts thus far to save the Ka'u Coast (partially successful with the acquisition of Honuapo) have represented a true partnership between elected officials, other government officials, private entities and our community.
Special recognition is due to the NPS for conducting the reconnaissance, and to so many within the Ka'u ohana, led by Jimmyleen Keolalani "Keola" Hanoa, who tragically passed away before her time earlier this year and to whom the survey is dedicated.
As the 109th Congress (2005-2006) is entering its last weeks, there will not be sufficient time to advance H.R. 6202. My goal in its introduction is to keep the fires burning for now and give Hawaii's congressional delegation in the upcoming 110th Congress (2007-2008) a good head start on one of the most crucial preservation efforts in all of our Hawaii today.
Mahalo and aloha,
U.S. Congressman Ed Case
Hawaii, Second District
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