An open letter to Hawaii’s elected officials:
My name is Melannie Jones and I am a single mom of two special needs boys, Evan and Lucas, and I am asking for your help.
There are not many sports available for special needs kids to participate in, but they can paddle and Keauhou Bay, with the Keauhou Canoe Club, is their favorite place to go especially since it’s an activity they can do with Grandpa. If Lucas does not care to paddle he can snorkel instead and spend family time with Grandma. The Bay provides a safe environment that allows these kids to take the extra time they need to get in and out of the canoes and to process the information needed to switch paddles or to stop as instructed. It also provides a safe place to snorkel. There are not as many people to bump into, no surfers to watch for or boats that are going to come roaring in, not paying attention to a snorkel tube poking up above the water.
As their mom I am extremely grateful for such a place as not only is the Keauhou Canoe Club in such a perfect spot, but there are showers to wash off sandy bodies, places to have a family picnic and bathrooms close by for those all too frequent last minute gotta goes.
When I heard that there was a proposal to change Keauhou Bay to bring in more boats I obviously became alarmed that this lovely spot was going to become unsafe for my kids and they would no longer be able to participate in a sport they love.
Being a fair person, I did look into the logistics of the proposal and while I can see that the government entity wanting to make these changes would benefit, nobody else would. I cannot find a clear environmental impact study on the native fish and marine culture nor do I find any historical impact study for the location itself. It also does not take into account the impact it will have on the Canoe Club and all their recreational activities as well as all the family activities that go on there. It only seems obvious that an Environmental Impact Study should be required before this project can proceed.
I am more than happy to personally talk to any representatives that may have additional questions.
Thank you for your time in reading my letter.
Melannie Jones is a resident of Usk, Wash., who visits Kailua-Kona annually to visit family.