Protect us from mooring project
Keauhou Bay is the birthplace of King Kamehameha III and is a state historic sight. The south half of the bay includes nine mooring sites for power boats, plus a parking lot and launching ramp for trailered boats. The north half of the bay is for swimmers, kayakers and paddlers.
This arrangement has worked for the mutual safety and enjoyment for thousands of users over many years. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) initiated plans to install seven additional power boat mooring sites in Keauhou Bay. The DLNR has spent over $450,000 of taxpayer funds for this project and has already assigned these additional sites to seven very privileged power boat owners.
The Keauhou Canoe Club initiated a lawsuit against both the DLNR and former Gov. Neil Abercrombie to halt this DLNR project due to lack of an environmental impact statement. The DLNR now claims the environmental impact statement has been completed and is proceeding with plans to install the seven additional mooring sites in Keauhou Bay.
Power boats do not mix well with swimmers, kayakers, and paddlers, and seven additional power boats would present a tragedy waiting to happen. In event of such tragedy it is reasonable to assume the DLNR would restrict all of Keauhou Bay to power boats only.
Former Gov. Abercrombie, the former DLNR chairman, and the former Kona DLNR director soon became unemployed. Why the DLNR continues to protect the interests of these seven privileged power boat owners is open to speculation, including the perception of blatant favoritism and conflict of interests.
Recent events in Hawaii County might provide a guideline to resolving the mooring site issue. The Hawaii Attorney General’s Office investigated and indicted the Hawaii County mayor. Perhaps the attorney general’s office should consider investigating the DLNR’s expenditure of $450,000 taxpayer funds for the sole benefit of seven power boat owners.
Additionally, the DLNR’s responsibility regarding the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project became a fiasco. Now that the TMT protesters have effectively protected Mauna Kea from the TMT project, perhaps the TMT protesters might consider helping to protect Keauhou Bay from the DLNR.
Michael K. Sylmond
Kailua-Kona