Public input sought for project at Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

The National Park Service is in the early stages of project planning to remove and replace the existing maintenance facilities at Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park in Hōnaunau on the Big Island.

The park service is seeing public input about the park’s lands and cultural resources.

There will be a public meeting on Nov. 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the amphitheater next to the Park Visitor Center at Highway 160 in Hōnaunau. Information about how to watch a virtual meeting on Nov. 9 is available at the end of the story. 

The existing maintenance facilities were originally built in the 1960ʻs with the stated intent to be temporary structures. The facilities are inadequate to meet the needs of the Park and their location inappropriately occupies an area known to contain both historic and ancient archaeological resources.

The facilities are visually intrusive to the physical and cultural landscape and are located in a coastal area subject to high waves, storm surges, tsunami inundation and anticipated sea level rise. 

The purpose of this project is to remove the intrusive temporary facilities from their current location, restore the historic scene of the site and construct replacement facilities in more suitable locations elsewhere in the park.

Alternative sites for the replacement facilities are being considered based on their potential effect on park resources, benefit to park operations and their impact on visitors and community experience.

New facilities will be located and designed in accordance with the National Park Serviceʻs commitment to fulfil its responsibility as a steward of this special landscape and protect the wahi pana and interconnected cultural and natural resources of the Hōnaunau, Kēōkea and Ki’ilae ahupua’a for the benefit and inspiration of all who may visit this special place.

The National Park Service is seeking public input about the project and comments will be reviewed and incorporated in the upcoming Environmental Assessment. Public input is encouraged and welcomed from Oct. 20 to Nov. 18, 2022 online at the National Park Serviceʻs Planning, Environment & Public Comment website. Please submit your input on the proposed plan here.  Then click on “Open for Comment” on the left-hand side under project links.

A virtual meeting will be held Nov. 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Copy and paste this link into your browser, or click on the live link below. https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NTVmZjQzZjYtNTQ4YS00ZmRmLWE2OWEtNWQwYjM5N2YyYzhl%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%220693b5ba-4b18-4d7b-9341-f32f400a5494%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22e4d7225c-db87-4a94-9d2e-92aa3be16aa0%22%7d

Meeting ID: 221 886 462 148 Passcode: KiGNoQ