In the October 2022 issue of The Kaʻū Calendar, Jeanné Kapela—who represents South Kona, Nāʻālehu, and Pahala in the state House of Representatives took a strong stand against the proposed luxury development called The Kona Estates at ‘Opihihale. Headlining her statement “Kona is not for sale”, 
District 5 representative Kapela said that she was “shocked” when she first learned about Kona Development Partner’s plans. “Kona Estates Fund II, LLC says that they are focused on sustainability, working with the community, and embracing the value of aloha. Yet, their project, at its core, shows no 
aloha for Hawai‘i’s people”.

Kapela’s stance against The Kona Estates at ‘Opihihale amplifies the already resounding opposition from the almost three thousand concerned stakeholders who make their homes in or otherwise have ties to ʻOpihihale and the surrounding ʻahupuaʻa, and have already signed this petition. As you can read in previous updates and throughout the comments posted herein, many who oppose this development (including Rep. Kapela and Hawai’i County Council Member (District 6) Maile Medeiros David) not only identify as kānaka maoli but are lineal descendants of the South Kona and Ka’ū regions. As has been the case since news of Kona Development Partner’s ill-suited plan became known this past August, no recognition, acknowledgment, or consideration of the local community’s interests and/or concerns has thus far been shown by Kona Development Partners, their representatives, or those otherwise involved with the pursuit of this project. On the contrary, they intend to hubristically continue pushing forward.

On September 19, 2022, the State of Hawai’i Commission on Water Resource Management received an application for the installation of a new well at the proposed development site. The application—which has been submitted to the Hawai’i Department of Health, Hawai’i County Planning Department,
Department of Natural Resources Historic Division, and the Department of Natural Resources Land Division for comments with a deadline of October 26, 2022, states that the proposed new well will be the first of a planned “battery of wells”, and that it is intended to be utilized for the irrigation of “coffee 
and citrus trees/150 acres”. It is clear by this blatant misrepresentation that not only is Kona Development Partners NOT interested in the concerns the community has about their proposed development, but neither are they concerned about truth, honesty, transparency, or otherwise conducting themselves in any way that—as Rep. Kapela first stated, even slightly embraces the complicated cultural value of aloha upon which our beloved South Kona and Kaʻū communities are built. 

For this reason, our opposition matters more than ever! Click the links above to reach out to the various divisions that have the power to stop this exploitation of our land, resources, and community. Let them know where you stand. Also, please take a moment to let the offices of Maile Medeiros David and Jeanné Kapela know that you appreciate their standing both with us and for us. As of today, we’ll also be adding Kealakekua-born Senator Dru Kanuha (District 3) as a decision-maker on this petition. Take a few moments to email his office, kindly requesting he follow suit. 

Mahalo nunui and, as always, one of the best ways you can kūʻē is to continue signing and continue sharing this petition.

~

ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #531
He aliʻi ka ʻāina; he kauwā ke kanaka.
The land is a chief; man is its servant.
Land has no need for man, but man needs the land and works it for a livelihood.