Resort Area at Black Sand Beach Hawaii

Black sand beach Hawaii is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches and is visited by multiple people every year. Due to its serene beauty people frequently visit it and now government in planning to develop this area.

This development aims to convert the beach into a resort by building tennis court, multistory buildings, and a conference area. However, local community is against this decision and they do not want to transform the beach area into a resort.

Punaluu Black Sand Beach Hawaii

Punaluu Black Sand Beach is a well-known beach in Hawaii Island and located in the Kau district. It can be disturbed by the developmental plans because it is habitat of the endangered species of the turtles known as hawksbill sea turtles. These turtles are already affected by the noise pollution created by the people visit this place. Moreover, these turtles are delicate and cannot tolerate much light and there is a possibility that the resort will open late night after the development.

If you intend to visit this place please be careful about your packing list.

Punaluu Village Plan

Initially, a plan was started named as Punaluu Village Plan that started from Black Sand Beach Hawaii, LLC. The 434 acres land was acquired by Eva Liu. The project was also backlashed by the local community and it then reduced its accommodation units s to 2900.

Learning and Living Space for the Community

The new development plan is now considered as a learning and living space for the community as said by the Black Sand Beach Hawaii LLC.

Previously, the authorities spent over $1 million and removed the vegetative growth, leftovers of the previous infrastructure, rubbish, and other remnants in 1960s. They cleaned the area but the project was not initiated and moved from one developer to the next till 2006. After that, there was no owner of the project and project was in terrible condition.

Due to the lack of interest of government and local authorities, Eva then again raised the concerns about the delays in development.

Concerns of the Local Community about the Development of the Black Sand Beach Hawaii

Local people raised the concern that development could threaten the sacredness of our area Punaluu. Maxx Phillips, Hawaii director and staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity filed a case in opposition of the development and said that we are the care taker of this area. Their group do not want the development and are interested to protect the originality of this area.

New plan about the development of Black Sand Beach Hawaii

The new plan decided to include the following facilities on the beach;

• Multistory buildings
• Tennis court
• Education center
• Restaurant
• Boat ramp
• Fitness center
• Commercial shops
• Conference center
• Parking area
• Market
• Cabin retreats

Reaction of People on the Public Hearing in March

Around 100 members of the community gathered on hearing and shared their views and testimony about the new development plan. They are not in the favor of the development and one of the members said; “When you threaten to destroy the landscape, it’s like a threat to the family because our land is our ohana (family)”.

The people love their land and have a deep connection with their place and even their places are named after the name of Kau people so, they do not want the too much intervention of tourists and government. According to them, the place would be over crowded if it is converted to the resort.

Why People are so much Concerned about the Development of Black Sand Beach Hawaii

Actually, these people are deeply rooted to this place and emotionally connected as well. many of their family members are buried at this place and previously the gold course was built on the graveyard so, they really do not want the new development.

“On a personal level, for me, our ancestors are buried there at Punaluu,” Kaawa said. “No matter where they build in their development plan, they’re going to uproot the bones of our ancestors and that’s the biggest disrespect you can do for the kanaka maoli of Hawaii (Native Hawaiian people) is to expose their iwi kupuna (ancestral remains) to the sun. That kind of disrespect is as real as being physically assaulted or having someone spit directly into your face.”

People have cultural concerns as well because they are considering the environmental issues that would be created due to over tourism. Because they are worried that the developmental plan is outdated and not modified according to the current environmental needs.

So, societies should consider these concerns and update the plan.

Another main concern is the sea turtles that are already endangered and largely affected by tourism. Moreover, the wastewater system is also damaged and waste waters mixes with ocean so, these problems require more attention than any new development because they directly impact the life of people and marine organisms in this area.

Statement of the Black Sand Beach LLC

Black Sand Beach LLC said its development is the “smallest footprint necessary” to bring money into the local economy and “care for these lands in a responsible manner.” In addition, they said that the new development will be started 5 miles away from the sea shore and parking and other commercial centers will be away from the beach to protect the natural reservoir of the ocean specially the sea turtles.

Another good thing is that the natural vegetation and fishing spots will be restored so, people can enjoy the natural environment.

Some Local People are in Favor of Development at Black Sand Beach Hawaii

Some people are in favor of the development because they consider that it will help to raise the economy and will create the job opportunities for the locals.

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