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Keaukaha Community Association proposes co‑management of Puhi Bay park with DHHL
Summary
Representatives from the Keaukaha Community Association asked DHHL to enter a one‑year pilot co‑management memorandum of agreement for Keaukaha Beach Park and Puhi Bay, offering to lead stewardship, cultural programming and volunteer coordination while requesting DHHL cover operating costs.
Members of the Keaukaha Community Association presented a co‑management proposal for Keaukaha Beach Park and Puhi Bay, asking the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to consider a memorandum of agreement that would formalize community stewardship while DHHL retained land ownership.
Kaaka Swain framed the request as a way to protect wahi pōhaku and cultural access and to prioritize beneficiaries’ use of the park. He asked the department to consider a one‑year pilot MOA that would assign on‑the‑ground stewardship duties — scheduling, volunteer coordination, cultural programming and repairs — to the association while DHHL would continue to cover costs such as utilities and facility repairs or identify dedicated funding sources.
Speakers from several beneficiary groups supported the proposal during public testimony and suggested the pilot could be structured with measurable benchmarks and periodic reports to DHHL. A commissioner suggested exploring grants and existing local funds as possible revenue sources to support a community‑led program; participants said the association is a registered nonprofit and could pursue grant awards.
Department staff indicated willingness to discuss a model and to meet with KCA to work through specific responsibilities and funding arrangements.
Ending: Commission and staff encouraged the association and district office to prepare a proposal that defines responsibilities, benchmarks and potential funding sources for a one‑year pilot MOA.
