• Sacred area doesn’t need another resort • Seek avenues to keep traffic moving Sacred area doesn’t need another resort Regarding Coco Palms Resort Development, now being pondered by our County Council: The subject of Coco Palms has been near
• Sacred area doesn’t need another resort • Seek avenues to keep traffic moving
Sacred area doesn’t need another resort
Regarding Coco Palms Resort Development, now being pondered by our County Council:
The subject of Coco Palms has been near and dear to my heart for a very long time. In fact, I really don’t call that property Coco Palms. It is Wailua Nui a Hoano, the original start of the progress of the chiefs and chiefesses and has been recorded in history several times, the very spot where that hotel now stands. The Alii would make an annual progress beginning at that exact spot and go straight up to Alakai swamp, to the Heiau of Kane, Kauai’s principle god, the two others being Moo Nui and Kawelo.
Needless to say, after speaking out, lecturing, and having jobs relating to cultural preservation and the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture, not to mention that I am a cultural practitioner and a practitioner of the “old ways,” I find this project to be quite “hewa” in my opinion.
Aunty Grace Guslander would not have approved. And well most of you know it, some of you are older then me, and remember her much better then I do. I only met her in passing a few times and never really knew her, but my calabash and hanai ohana spoke of her often, some of them worked at the hotel, so I am well aware of her feelings regarding the area and her wish to return it to the people when the hotel was pau.
You all know that I am pushing for a cultural park there, a museum, and a hostel-style researchers accommodation to be built there as that is the highest and best use of the land, something that is written into our county charter.
I also disapprove of allowing the developer to use pre-Iniki standards for this project for the demolition portion. I disapprove of a hotel being built there and instead, I am in favor of community groups and others joining forces and building a museum there, which would generate funds that would help to run the park-like facility which would protect and preserve archeological sites there
I believe that the history of the hotel can be preserved within the walls of the museum and that Uncle Larry should have his own wing in it, where he and his family can go and regale, talk story, relive, and entertain again. That section of the museum can be heavily dedicated to Elvis and Coco Palms infinitum.
However, there are a lot of cultural practitioners here, who are religious practitioners, hula practitioners and others not related to the legacy of the hotel, but are far more connected to the history of the area. I believe this could be a win-win for everyone. Tourists could easily be accommodated in docent-led tours that would be limited to certain times and days of the week, and the docents would all be practicing cultural practitioners. It would be ecotourism at its finest, and give our living kupuna the opportunity to showcase their wisdom, education, knowledge and historical and oral traditions, while preserving the archeological integrity of the area.
It is my opinion that the sole purpose of the current group may be merely to flip the property. I am in favor of a deal which does not include a 350-room hotel, as that plan would be absolutely ridiculous given the light of the totality of the situation there. I am in favor of a small, 20-room educational and research facility much like the NTBG has in Lawai, where people from all over the world can come to study Kauai’s rich archeological, historical and cultural heritage, for a fee that will revert back into the revolving fund for the property. They don’t need high-end hotel rooms for that, but a place where they can conduct and study. These would be researchers and educational groups. My dream is to see this property dedicated to the high culture and amazing talents, traditions and achievements of the Hawaiian people.
I hope that you will listen to other voices besides just that of the developer. Perhaps the developer should be working more closely with what the people would find more palatable there. Kauai has changed in 20 years. The property is best used for other purposes. Elvis has left the building. But the stones remain. The stone-eaters and their descendants are still living. Let’s let the real history of this property come alive once again.
Anne Punohu
Kapaa
Seek avenues to keep traffic moving
I just arrived in Kalaheo at 8 p.m. after a 2 p.m. appointment feeling compelled to comment on the five-hour traffic debacle that resulted from a tragic, multicar accident near the Kauai Humane Society. My condolences go out to all those affected.
This dire need of having emergency lanes to accommodate rescue personnel and emergency vehicles is obvious.
My concern is that this type of traffic standstill could lead to further consequences, not only for the accident victims, but also residents and visitors.
What would happen if a secondary emergency occurred while traffic stood still? What if a driver or passenger has a heart attack or stops breathing, or a woman goes into labor while stuck in stalled traffic? What about visitors who need to catch a plane? What about the disruption of the workforce — shift delays for medical, law enforcement and fire, trade and non professional workers — who keep the local economy stable and intact?
Why can’t a deal between private road landowners and the state and county be initiated to allow rescue vehicles and emergency personnel secondary access, as well to provide an alternate route for commuters?
Why can ATV tours use a tunnel and a road between Puhi and Koloa privately while the rest of us suffer bumper to bumper?
A 25-cent toll, collected by private road owners to cover liability, is one suggestion.
Accidents on our two-lane roads are a historic problem. Let’s find a modern, win-win solution. Fast.
Sheila Heathcote
Kalaheo
