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On August 10, 2022, residents of Hawai'i Island, Hawai'i learned about a Beverly Hills-based developer's plan to build a large luxury resort named The Kona Estates at ʻOpihihale in the heart of a rural fishing and farming community that is one of the last remaining areas in the archipelago not already dominated by overdevelopment, resource exploitation, emigration, and mass tourism. We need your support and involvement to put an end to this prospect! Please read on for details.

The proposed development site is located in the ahupua'a (land division) of 'Opihihale and is immediately downslope of Mauna Loa's historically very active southwest rift, an area classified by the USGS as lava flow hazard zone 2. It is also in the heart of an area currently zoned as AG-5, accessible only by air, water, and an already over-used, often deadly, and notoriously unreliable two-lane highway. The sole source of fresh water in this predominantly dry leeward area is rainwater catchment. Furthermore, the ahupua'a of 'Opihihale as well as the surrounding ahuhpua'a of ʻŌlelo Moana, Kolo, Kaʻapuna, and Kipāhoehoe contain a high degree of pristine and sensitive cultural and environmental resources. These resources include several federally-listed endangered dry forest species, an intact section of Hawai'i Island's federally-recognized ancient trail system, and myriad other sites that hold extreme cultural significance to contemporary Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) populations, including ancient burial grounds (protection of which is outlined in the Hawai'i Revised Statues).

The proposed development area is also just a stone's throw north of the community of Miloliʻi, which is designated as a Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (one of two in the entire state). Among other stipulations, this designation establishes rules pertaining to the protection of coastal and marine resources 18 miles in either direction of the community; the natural arch pictured in the developerʻs marketing materials is located approximately 3 nautical miles north.

Additionally, the proposed development absolutely conflicts with the existing Kona Community Development Plan, which states that the "density in South Kona should be kept low and the character should remain rural", "future growth should occur where and when infrastructure is already in place", and that the "majority of future growth should be directed north of Kailua Kona" (p. 245). If the development, which is reportedly planned to include "60 1-3 acre homesites, a 40 villa boutique resort, residents-only clubhouse, pool, restaurant and bar, heliport, walking and biking trails, health club, spa, kids club, and event area" were to be built, it would require that the developer meet several major permitting and zoning benchmarks including rezoning, subdivision, acquisition of a water source, approval of multiple special use permits, and approval from the Hawai'i County Council and Planning Department.  

Finally, the local community-which includes a large number of people identifying as Kanaka ʻŌiwi who have genealogical connections to ʻOpihihale and the surrounding ahupuaʻa, passionately oppose this development and are fervently committed to ensuring that Kona Development Partners DOES NOT move forward in their attempt to destroy one of the last remaining untouched areas in our state as well as a way of life that has been held sacred, enjoyed, and passed on for generations.  

Your help and support matter! Please sign and share. 

Mahalo nui loa. Thank you SO much.

~Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono~

The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.