Ka Iwi is the name given to the dramatic unspoiled coastline from Hanauma Bay to Makapuu and beyond. Here, urban landscape gives way to a coastline sculpted by powerful volcanic forces and painted with the variegated blues of pristine ocean waters. This shoreline is one of only two remaining fragments of natural coastline on Oahu. And by virtue of its accessibility to residents and tourists alike, the Ka Iwi coastline is probably the more important of the two.
The forces of development have, during this century, transformed almost all of Oahu's coastline. Most citizens now believe that it is time to call a halt to the destruction of Oahu's natural coastline before there is nothing left to preserve.
It is the role of government land-use planners to consider all of the implications of developing a piece of land, and to determine what development is appropriate, piece by piece. The department of planning and the City Council are charged with this responsibility.
Developers have used the threat of lawsuits to press the city to agree to a settlement that would put a golf course along the ocean at Queen's Beach, luxury homes on two rises overlooking Makapuu, a resort hotel and light-industrial center at the foot of Koko Crater and thousands of other housing units throughout Hawaii Kai. The settlement agreement would lead to devastation of the Ka Iwi Coast and, in addition, would establish a terrible precedent in land-use planning.
If the city went forward with this agreement it would be inviting everyone unhappy with land-use decisions to sue the city.
Once the settlement agreement is terminated, the Council can join with the city administration and state government in working out the means for preserving the Ka Iwi Coast for all future generations. Governor Cayetano, the 1996 Legislature and Mayor Harris have made a strong beginning in the preservation effort.
Governor Cayetano has authorized an application to obtain federal funds to purchase Queen's Beach. Acquisition of federal money would allow Queen's Beach to remain a scenic shoreline area. At the same time, purchase of Queen's Beach would remove that piece of property from the lawsuit threat and limit potential city liability. The federal money would be matched by $3.4 million allocated by the 1996 Legislature for the purchase of land on the Ka Iwi shore.
Mayor Harris has said that he will put $10 million in the city budget to help in the purchase of land along the coastline. This commitment from the city will provide significant additional protection for the area.
The moment is right for the City Council to stop the settlement process and join in the effort to preserve the beauty of our shoreline and the spirit of Hawaii.