Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Park Restoration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee presses parks for timeline, funding as it forwards Isaac Hale Beach Park restoration resolution
Summary
The committee forwarded an amended Resolution 4‑28‑25 urging the Department of Parks and Recreation to prioritize restoration of Isaac Kepo Kalani Hale Beach Park; the parks planner said reviews of the environmental assessment and preservation plans are pending and cited $5 million in FEMA funds plus $3 million in bond authorization while final costs remain under review.
The committee voted to amend and forward Resolution 4‑28‑25, which urges the Department of Parks and Recreation to prioritize and expedite restoration of Isaac Kepo Kalani Hale Beach Park in Lower Puna.
Sponsor Council member Kirkowitz said the community’s recovery plan is ready but timelines have slipped repeatedly — presented completion dates moved from 2023 to 2026 and are now projected for 2028 — and that community partners and lineal descendants deserve clearer engagement and responsiveness. Several testifiers described seven years of recovery and urged faster delivery of recreation and swimming facilities.
James Komata, parks planner, told the committee that the consultant has submitted a draft environmental assessment, an archaeological management plan and a preservation plan; the project manager has reviewed them and a final department review was expected in one to two weeks. Komata said the department still considers the project a priority but flagged competing departmental workloads and the need for additional project staff.
On finance and scope, Komata noted the department currently has $5 million identified from FEMA for the project and bond authorization for $3 million; he also said earlier consultant cost estimates ranged substantially and that the design team was working on cost reductions and deductive alternates. A sponsor cited a $16 million preliminary figure for full restoration; Komata said he could not confirm a final number yet and noted an earlier higher consultant estimate was part of initial scoping work.
Council members pressed Komata on timelines, whether FEMA funds had use restrictions or deadlines, and what community management and visitor‑management plans would look like as roads reopen. Komata said he was not aware of a final FEMA deadline and that discussions with HyEMA and FEMA about extensions were ongoing. The committee approved an amendment to include the contents of communication 662.1 and then forwarded the amended resolution with a favorable recommendation (nine ayes).
