Making public beaches in Puna

[Greg]

An artificial surf break as I envision it would involve carving out a lagoon with a channel to the ocean.(Honokahau Harbor is an example of this technology). This lagoon would be a canoe launch, swimming and picnic area. The material from the excavation would be crushed and conveyor belted into the ocean to create a bottom suitable for wave breaks. There may have to be larger rocks set as a reef to shape and hold the crushed material.

The crushed rock would have to be replenished intermitantly; but this would serve as "grooming" the bottom for the best surf. There is an excellent example of a cultured surfbreak at Queensland, Austrailia (The Coolangarta "superbank"). This break is maintained by moving sand from a rivermouth with pumps and depositing it to contour a perfect point break. I'm not sure if the same principles would apply on our shore, but certainly think the concept deserves study.

As far as cultural sensitivity; The Hawaiians I know that surf have allways embraced new technology that enhances the sport. Whether Hawaiians consider sculpting lava a desecration or not also deserves study. It's certainly done for a variety of other purposes; commercially, residentially, and agriculturally.

This is a low tech, reletively inexpensive way to develop an area that has already been inundated and scoured of any established ecosystem. It can probably be done for less than the purchase and development of "steamvents".

Government red tape would probably make it impossible, but I can only imagine someone with an interest in new ideas and creative use of technology (like King Kamehameha) would have just said: "Make it so". If feasable, it would definatly make lower Puna a destination for surfers from around the world, as well as providing a great resource for us homeboys (and girls).

This study was done at no charge to the taxpayers of Hawaii County.
[]


punatoons

[LeeE]

Great idea. Yes, a quality surf spot is much needed.

[kimo wires]

As a Surfer I love this idea.

And As far as ripping up the lava rock, it's done every day to clear private or commercial properties.

The fact that they are not along the shore line is why no one pays any attention. Moreover the Ohia trees, some which took over 100 years to grow, just get mowed down as well.

But start excavating the shore line and, Guaranteed, someone or some group will complain loudly enough to get it stopped.
I'd be willing to bet big money on that.

It would have to be approached with great sensitivity to cultural beliefs, to be pulled off, or it would most likely hit a mojor snag.
And hope that no Iwi(bones)are uncovered or that would stop the whole thing indifinitely.

Having said all that I would still support a project like this.
I just don't see it happening.

Still, it's a nice dream.

[Bullwinkle]

Having watched many breaks ruined by the construction of marinas and breakwaters it would be kinda cool to see it go the other way.

[Greg]

There are no archeological sites or bones at Kaimu(makai). Just thirty feet of fresh lava. Still, this is sensitive to some. I am of the opinion that ancient Hawaiians were very interested in, and participated in, innovations that improved their standard of living. Fish ponds are a good example. The ancients used the technology available to them, and many modern Hawaiians do also.

punatoons

[Bullwinkle]

just "dream wheeling " here...

How would a group go about this... form a nonprofit .... mortgage a small adjacent lot for access, Have a Kapuna bless the changes, fire up the bulldozers and wait for some one to notice?

[Kelena]

This idea is dynamite.

[Erlinda]

This thread reminded me of the history of Kahalu’u Beach Park on Kona-side, a great park for snorkeling, sunning, etc. (but way overrun by tourists!). I recalled that its breakwater was created by ancient Hawaiians:

“Paokamenehune Seawall, is partly a natural and partly man-made feature enclosing the southern end of Kahalu'u Bay. Paokamenehune predates the 15th century temple complexes in the area and is held in legend to have been built by the menehune (sort of the Hawai'ian equivalent to leprechauns). However, building was actually initiated by Hawaiian leaders to enclose the bay as a large fishpond. Whether the work became beyond the powers of the Ali'i at the time to administer or the surfing faction won-out in the battle over use of Kahalu'u Bay is not known, but the breakwater was already in disrepair and disarray at the time of European contact in the 18th century.”

From: Ghosts of Sacrificed Kings, Ruined Palaces and Ancient Temples - Visit the Glory of Hawaii's Past! By Donald MacGowan

So there is precedent for creating an artificial breakwater.

I think it would be cool as long as no hotels, etc. were allowed.

[Bob Orts]

quote:

---

Originally posted by kimo wires

But start excavating the shore line and, Guaranteed, someone or some group will complain loudly enough to get it stopped.

---

There are so many regulations concerning shoreline alterations and construction, along with environmental regulations and issues, that unless you have big money backing the effort (it can cost hundreds of thousands to complete the required permits, studies, and approvals) that you need a big backer with money to get something like that just off the planning stages, let alone actually built. You can forget about the State, they are broke and you can forget about the County, as the Council raided all the funds the people put aside for these projects.
And as an FYI, all these regs and such were put into place at the request and demands of the people' and it's average citizens who normally throw the wrench into the works, not government.

[mdd7000]

So if one of Emily's relatives could benefit financially by this, it's a done deal?