FONSI Issued for Kahalu’u Ma Kai Project

Plans for the Kamehameha School Trust’s educational center at the site of the former Keauhou Beach Resort, Kahalu’u Ma Kai Project, has passed through another benchmark in progression.

The Hawai’i County Planning Department approved the project’s final environmental assessment and issued a finding of no significant impact for the project, which intends to remove the seven story structure and instead implement an educational site across the 22-acre property.

In passing the FONSI, the Planning Department determined that removing the hotel would not cause any socio-economic, cultural, or environmental impacts. The hotel is positioned around tide pools and a rocky shoreline.

Prior to the environmental impact determination, a 30-day public comment period was held and a three month review was completed by the Planning Department.

“Kamehameha Schools is grateful for the County of Hawai’i Planning Department’s findings,” said Kaeo Duarte, Kamehameha Schools’ Vice President of Community Engagement and Resources. “We still have a few more regulatory steps and cultural protocols to conduct, but after that we will be ready to remove the structure with utmost respect and care for the surrounding nature, cultural, and community resources that are necessary for the health and well-being of the land and our people.”

The restoration of culturally significant property and the construction of learning facilities for Kamehameha’s West Hawai’i region at Kahalu’u Ma Kai will support Kamehameha’s educational mission for West Hawai’i. The project will also allow for the preservation of the natural, cultural, and historical resources for future generations.

To review the full FEA-FONSI document, visit the Office of Environmental Quality Control’s website.