Mahalo kākou for demonstrating continued diligence and commitment to stopping the proposed development of a luxury resort community at 'Opihihale.
On January 4, 2023, members of our team were notified by a staff member with the Department of Land & Natural Resources Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) that Kona Development Partners had canceled the applications to drill and install two new wells/pumps the Kona Estates at 'Opihihale proposed development site.
The reasons why KDP chose to withdraw their applications are unknown. One would hope that investors affiliated with the proposed KEO subdivision were reminded of the risky nature of KDP's plans when Maunaloa (the largest active volcano on Earth-which has erupted 33 times since 1843) produced a voluminous and highly publicized eruption lasting from November 27-December 10, 2022. Though the eruption settled into Maunaloa's NE rift this time, it offered a reminder of the extreme risk associated with the continued development of areas downslope of the historically very active SW rift, including coastal South Kona locations like 'Opihihale.
Also, the withdrawal came several months after CWRM Deputy Director M. Kaleo Manuel had reached out to KDP asking that they clarify details related to the proposed usage for the Papa well as well as answer additional questions regarding the Lono well. On both applications, the developer indicated that the two preliminary wells would be "part of a battery of wells" and be utilized for the "irrigation" of "coffee and citrus trees/150 acres". Neither application mentioned the developer's intent to install a sprawling 324-acre luxury resort community at the site.
Though this withdrawal does indeed feel like good news, we need to remain vigilant. We are still in deep waters here. KDP will most surely continue moving forward. Please continue signing and continue sharing this petition and remain steadfastly focused on stopping all development initiatives in 'Opihihale, and elsewhere in the rural and beloved communities of Kona Hema and Ka'ū.