During the week of June 16 through June 24, 2008, through the collaborative sponsorship of The Kohala Center and the County of Hawai‘i Planning Department and with the support of the Keauhou Beach Resort and numerous other Kona individuals and organizations, a group of five University of Washington (UW) landscape architecture students and their professor, Iain Robertson, engaged the Kona community in a design charrette to create a Master Plan for the restoration of Kahalu‘u Beach Park.
The UW team hosted a weeklong design charrette at the park in June. Community members, including homeless residents, were encouraged to express themselves and imagine a park that embraced their wishes. UW landscape architect students evaluated the information they gathered from the community meetings and created a dynamic Master Plan which embodies the community’s vision. The team captured the highest hopes of the community to restore this special place in the heart of Kona, in a pono (respectful) planning process that can serve as a model for community action.
“My passion to restore this park is due largely to the kūpuna (Hawaiian elders) that have passed on…many giving their time to share with experts their thoughts on how to take care of this sacred, life-giving place. It has been my desire for many years to help bring back the respect, ambiance, and beauty of Kahalu‘u Beach and Bay, according to the wishes of our kūpuna.”
Cindi Punihaole, Director, Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center
Review the Kahalu‘u Bay Conceptual Master Plan.
Read the article about the Master Plan in the September 2008 Kohala Center newsletter.