After conducting a survey and holding previous open house events to collect input regarding Polihale State Park, the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks will host a community meeting on July 18 to share the feedback and a preliminary master plan concept.
According to a DLNR news release, this will be an opportunity for DSP staff and the community to talk story and address goals and concerns for the park. Based on the feedback collected so far, the preliminary plan lays the groundwork for sound management to care for the park.
The meeting takes place 5-6:30 p.m. Tues., July 18 at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center, 8130 Elepaio Rd. in Kekaha.
DSP urges those unable to attend the meeting to provide feedback by emailing planpolihale@gmail.com.
An earlier survey and open houses held on Jan. 26 and 29 to identify park improvements, as well as access and management policies, resulted in more than 1,300 responses.
Presentation slides and input collected from the survey and open houses are posted on the DLNR Polihale State Park webpage.
In a DLNR video of Polihale State Park posted in January 2021, Polihale lineal descendant Nohili Doria spoke of the site where her iwi kupuna (literally, bones of ancestors, or burial ground) are buried in the area, Poʻoahonu, or Turtle’s Head. Many sacred Native Hawaiian burial sites are located throughout Polihale.
The DLNR explained Polihale State Park is endangered by bad and illegal behaviors, one of which is driving vehicles on sensitive sand dunes and on the beach (with exceptions), regardless of the posted “No driving on the beach or sand dunes” signs.
Another is people defecating in the area, as well as disrespecting or disturbing burial sites, and natural and cultural features. DLNR advises the public to stay on designated roads and use the available restroom facility.
Raylene “Sissy” Kahale, also a lineal descendant of Polihale, said social media depicts Polihale as a large beach. “But it’s actually not a big beach. It’s also a home and resting place to a lot of our family members. What people don’t realize is that every cove that we have on the west side here, house different fish, different limu, different history … to the streams, to the mountains. This place is so sacred. I don’t think people realize the mana that it gives.” She adds that Polihale is the only beach she truly enjoys swimming in because it’s not yet contaminated with suntan oil and pollution.
“When I come back here, it’s like I’m re-centering myself, I’m coming back to my roots,” said Doria. “I usually come here to ask whatever questions I have going on in my life. I come here to talk to my ancestors.”
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.