Group News: Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, and Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi Island Group
Confusion About Hawaiʻi County General Plan Comprehensive Review Process Continues
By Chuck Flaherty, Hawaiʻi Island Group Chair
On July 23rd, Hawaiʻi County Council member Holeka Inaba (North Kona, South Kohala) introduced legislation to allow the current county council to amend an "amendment" proposed by Planning Director Zendo Kern that gut-and-replaces the entire content of the current General Plan.
However, Hawaiʻi County Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance advised the county council that the legislation would not change her position. She maintained that rules adopted by the 2006-2008 county council prohibit the current council from making any amendment “which substantially changes the general intent or subject matter of the [Planning Director’s recommended ‘amendment’], such as newly adding or deleting a goal, policy, course of action, or standard, or a map amendment which changes a land use designation of a parcel…”.
This position is being taken despite the fact that, since February 2015, when then-Planning Director Duane Kanuha first announced the beginning of the GPCR process, all Planning Directors have been in violation of the General Plan Comprehensive Review (GPCR) rules.
Another major issue is that Corporation Counsel Strance’s position would also prohibit the county council from acting on any recommended amendments made by either the Leeward or Windward Planning Commissions. In other words, both planning commissions and the county council would not be able to make any meaningful changes to the completely new General Plan being advanced by Director Kern.
It seems reasonable to assume that the county council in 2007 did not anticipate any Planning Director advancing a gut-and-replace amendment of the entire General Plan. Otherwise, they would have adopted rules providing both the county council and the planning commissions with an opportunity to recommend amendments to the Planning Director’s gut-and-replace amendment before it went to the Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions.
The county council deferred further discussion of this issue until its August 20th meeting. They also requested that the Planning Director and Corporation Counsel provide a timeline and relevant documentation of events and actions taken by the county since 2007 involving the GPCR process.
Upcoming Outings
Friday, August 2
Stewardship at the Summit (S/E/C)
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, 1-2 miles, elevation: +\- 150'
We will be doing service in the park in conjunction with Volunteers Week Hawaiʻi. Work consists of ginger cutting for three hours and requires up to one mile of hiking. This event is sponsored by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Wear hiking boots and bring water, snacks, and gloves if you have some. Lunch optional or in the park after we finish. Please RSVP with Diane by July 28.
Leader: Diane Ware, 967-8642.
Sunday August 18
Puʻu Makaʻala Hike in a Natural Area Reserve (E)
4 miles, elevation: 4000’ +/- 1000
This shady rainforest contains many large old ʻōhiʻa trees, naio, and towering hapuʻu tree ferns. The hike will be slow paced as we notice the native plants, such as very interesting ʻōhiʻa trees and even some endangered plants. Bring rain gear with your normal day hike accessories. ROD protocol please. We will meet at Cooper Center in Volcano Village and carpool to the trailhead. Register for the hike by calling Sunny LaPlante at 808-964-5017.
Maui Group
Upcoming Outings
Saturday, July 27
Mālama Hāmākua Planting and Gulch Exploration (C/E/S)
Haiku, 2 miles, moderate
Help bring these former coastal pineapple fields back to life with native plantings, then enjoy a shady gulch hike and a free lunch. Refreshments, tools and gloves provided. Meet at 8:30am at Haʻikū Community Center to carpool to site. Limit 15.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Sunday, July 28
Makamakaʻole Stream (13 Crossings) (C/E)
North Shore, 2.4 miles
Beautiful hike with many stream crossings and waterfall-fed pool at the end. Trekking poles are recommended due to loose rocks in the stream and potentially wet trails if there has been recent rainfall. Bring water shoes, lunch, water, swimsuit. Limit 10. Meet at Waiehu Golf Course parking lot at 8am to carpool.
Leader: Ann Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 808-344-6628
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Saturday, August 3
Wailua Iki Stream Hike (C/E)
East Maui, 6 miles
Moderate hike above Hāna Highway through beautiful forest on winding, muddy, jeep road. Pools, waterfalls, and lush plant life. The group may decide to swim. Bring appropriate footwear, sunscreen, lunch, and water. Meet at 8am at Haʻikū Community Center. EMI WAIVER REQUIRED (see emi.html) - must email name, address and phone number to jackie.thomas@mahipono.com at least one week in advance. Limit: 15.
Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Thursday, August 8
Waikamoi Preserve Trail and Boardwalk (C/E)
Haleakalā, 3.5 miles
Uneven and sometimes slippery terrain. Hike into a true native Hawaiian forest preserved by The Nature Conservancy with a docent who will describe the flora and fauna. This trail is up in Haleakalā National Forest near Hosmer's Grove campground. Meet 8am at Pukalani Ace Hardware parking lot to carpool. Bring lunch, water and rain gear. Hiking boots are suggested. Limit 9. People who have been on the Big Island any time since April 2022 are not allowed due to ōhiʻa disease risk.
Required reading from The Nature Conservancy here.
Required waivers: TNC, HTA, HTA2
If you have been to the Preserve before, please leave the limited spots to someone who hasn't. You can also go through The Nature Conservancy (TNC). TNC leads hikes into Waikamoi Preserve on the second Saturday of every month. For more information or to sign up for a hike, email TNC's Maui office at hike_waikamoi@tnc.org. If you would like to volunteer, TNC has quarterly service trips on the third Saturday of January, April, July and October. Please send inquiries by email to hike_waikamoi@tnc.org.
Leader for this outing: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Sunday, August 11
ʻAhihi-Kinaʻu Natural Area Reserve Hike and Snorkel (C/E)
La Perouse, 1 miles
Moderate shoreline hike on rocky trail to great snorkeling. Bring swim/snorkel gear, rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, water, snack. Meet 7:30am at ʻAhihi-Kinaʻu Natural Area Reserve parking lot south of Mākena Beach. $5 non-resident fee per vehicle. Limit 9.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 808-344-6628.
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Friday, August 16
Paeahu Gulch Exploration (Wailea 670) (C/E)
Honuaʻula Moku (South Maui), 3 miles
Paeahu (aka modern day Wailea area) has magnificent natural gulches (kahawai) that were an important part of the traditional Kanaka Maoli cultural landscape. Ehe lands above Piʻilani Hwy are one of the few places these natural kahawai have not been obliterated by modern construction. We will visit cultural sites and keep an eye open for native flora and fauna. Portions of these gulches are planned to be preserved by the Honuaʻula project but their plans also call for modification of many of the gulches into drainage retention basins.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Saturday, August 17
Wahinepeʻe Water Hike (C/E)
East Maui, 5 miles
Hike through East Maui forest, past pools, waterfalls, great scenery. Can be muddy. Elevation gain is 1,300 feet and there is some walking on large river stones. EMI waiver required (see emi.html) - must email name, address and phone number to jackie.thomas@mahipono.com at least one week in advance. Bring water and lunch. Meet at 8am Haʻikū Community Center. Limit 15.
Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Sunday, August 18
Uaoa Bay Adventure Trail (C/E)
East Maui, 2 miles, moderate
A steep descent/ascent at the bay using fixed ropes and a short walk on large stones on the beach. Beautiful coastal views. Meet 9am at Haʻikū Community Center. Bring lunch, water and footwear good for slippery rocks. Limit 15.
Leader: Mark Short, shortonmaui@gmail.com or 808-276-3226
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Saturday, August 24
Kahakapao Forest Trail Maintenance (S)
Makawao, 1 miles
Starting in July, the Sierra Club is co-hosting monthly Makawao Forest Trail clean up volunteer days with Nā Ala Hele! Come out and join the team at Kahakapao Forest Reserve. Volunteers will assist with trail clearing, erosion control, and maintenance tasks to keep our trails safe and enjoyable for all. No prior experience is necessary, just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to get your hands dirty. Please wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and wear sunscreen. All tools, supplies, and snacks will be provided.
Leader: Raina Myers, Raina.Myers@sierraclub.org
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Sunday, August 25
Kapalua Coastal Trail Hike and Welcome Home to Our Beautiful Kōlea (C/E)
West Maui, 3.5 miles
Meet in the DT Fleming Beach Parking Lot, left side, at 8am. We will walk along the coastal path, a combination of asphalt, gravel, and rocky trail. This should be a great opportunity to photograph our beautiful kōlea (Pacific golden plover) returning from their 3,000-mile migration from their breeding grounds on the Arctic tundra. After a stop at Kapalua Bay, we will return to Fleming Beach. Although the footing can be rough in places, this is an easy three and a half mile RT hike. There are restrooms at each end of the walk. There is an optional detour to Makaluapuna Point on the way back to see the jagged rock formation known as Dragon’s Teeth and to walk the labyrinth for those interested. Swimming and snorkeling are excellent at both DT Fleming Beach and Kapalua Bay, so bring appropriate gear if you wish. Snack/lunch on the beach at Kapalua Bay. Bring water and reef-safe sun protection.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 808-344-6628
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Oʻahu Group
Mount Kaʻala Conservation Service Outings
by Reese Liggett, Oʻahu Group Outings Leader
The Oʻahu Group Outings completed two conservation service trips to Mount Kaʻala in July. Kaʻala, the highest peak on Oʻahu at 4,025 feet above sea level, is part of a Natural Area Reserve (NAR). You can learn more about this special place here.
Groups of 10 volunteers, including Outing Leaders Randy Ching and Reese Liggett, traveled up the FAA road in a state van. They spent approximately 2.5 hours performing conservation service work. Additionally, the group enjoyed a two-mile hike on the boardwalk that traverses the semi-bog, the crown jewel of this NAR. The hike included guided interpretation of the natural area by Jenna Masters, Natural Resource Management Specialist IV with the state. Endangered native snails from the family Achatinellidae were observed during an interpretive stop on the van ride up.
More outings are planned to this NAR, where 95% of the plants in the bog are native Hawaiian species. Mount Kaʻala is part of the relatively flat-topped Wai‘anae range, a remnant of the Wai‘anae volcano, which last erupted about 2.5 million years ago. Participants must be experienced and capable of strenuous conservation work. The conservation efforts in July included cutting and treating invasive plants such as ginger and blackberry with herbicide. Stay tuned for the next service outing to Kaʻala!
Upcoming Outings
Sunday, August 18
Wāwāmalu Beach Service Project (S)
Help return Wāwāmalu Beach to its native/natural status after years of off-road abuse and inattention. Seed collection and sowing, as well as removal of invasive plants on tap. Personal pickaxes welcome. Bring closed-toe shoes/boots, gardening gloves, sunscreen and water flask (iced refill available, no plastic water available). Meet 9am at the southwest access area just off to the left from the northeast driveway to Sandy Beach. Limited to 25 participants out of concern for the delicate planting environment. Participants under 18 require a parent or guardian. Please reserve your spot by emailing wliggett@twc.com. Co-leader Suzan Harada.
Sunday, August 25
Pālehua ʻElepaio Enclosure "Akupu" Service (S)
We will be clearing alien invasive plants like strawberry guava, watering, and outplanting native plants to restore the native habitat for the endemic Oʻahu ʻelepaio. Space is limited as we will be working in a sensitive area where the endangered native ʻelepaio is nesting and there are some native plants already growing which we don’t want to disturb or damage. We may hear and see some native ʻelepaio as we work in the area, so bring a camera as well. Bring gloves and hand tools for weeding alien plants if you have any. Pack water and a snack and definitely mosquito repellent. We plan to meet in Makakilo at 8:30am and finish by 1pm. Reservations required at least one week prior. Contact Clyde Kobashigawa, clydekobashigawa@hawaii.rr.com, for reservations with first and last name and phone number. Please indicate any person who is a minor. Co-leader Curtis Kawamoto.