Ka Iwi coastline is legacy for generations to come

The purchase and preservation of the last “capstone” piece of the Ka Iwi coastline was an example of the power, magic and effectiveness of public-private partnerships. For more than 40 years, committed and motivated community members opposed resort and luxury residential development of this spectacular and culturally significant coastline, sparking the famed Save Sandy Beach movement.

The City and County of Honolulu and the state bought pieces of the coast over time, leaving two privately owned mauka parcels totaling 182-acres that were repeatedly and recently threatened with golf-course and vacation cabin development. Thanks to the city, state, individual donors and nonprofit partners, these last two parcels have been conserved for our children, grandchildren and all the generations yet to come. Mahalo nui loa to all.

The private support for this endeavor has been truly awe-inspiring with donations large and small — from over 1,600 keiki, kupuna, individuals and foundations that totaled $600,000 in just under four months in 2015. Support came also from dedicated public funding at the state and county level for land conservation, which must be protected and defended every year.

If you want more of these win-win public-private success stories like Ka Iwi — and Kawela Bay/Turtle Bay Makai, Nuu on Maui, Kawaikapu on Molokai, Black Pot Beach on Kauai, and Kuamoo Battlefield and Burial Grounds on Hawaii island, and many others — please do the following:

>> Thank the governor and your state legislators for their continued support of the state Legacy Land Conservation Program, funded by 10 percent of the real estate conveyance tax, which contributed $1 million to the Ka Iwi purchase.

>> Ask your state legislators to support the governor’s request for: (1) a one-time restoration of lapsed funding from fiscal year 2015 of $2,228,250 needed to ensure that pending land protection efforts move forward, such as preserving loʻi kalo in the Keanae Peninsula, Maui, and to forever safeguard the ancient fishing village of Waikapuna on Hawaii island, where renown historian Mary Kawena Pukui was raised, and (2) a permanent increase of $1.7 million to keep pace with rising land prices.

>> Thank the mayor and your county councilperson for their continued support of the Clean Water & Natural Lands Program, funded by .05 percent of our real property taxes, which contributed $2.5 million to the purchase. Ask them to ensure that the program (newly amended by a 2016 charter vote) is quickly and effectively re-organized to complete more projects like Ka Iwi.

>> Donate to organizations that are making land conservation and restoration happen in your community.

It is has been an honor and a privilege to have played a role in passing this magnificent scenic and cultural gem to the future generations to enjoy and malama. ‘A‘ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia/No task is too big when done together by all.