News Release- Hawaii House of Representatives

News Release - Hawaii House of Representatives
August 6, 2009 - For immediate release

Lawmakers hold community meeting on Pine’s beach access near NELHA

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Rep. Denny Coffman (District 6 – North Kona, Keauhou, Kailua-Kona and Honokohau) and Senator Josh Green (District 3 – North and South Kohala, North and South Kona) will hold a joint community meeting to discuss problems related to beach access near the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELHA). Specifically, this involves the Kohanaiki beach access road to the Pine surf area and camping grounds.

The meeting will be held on:

Date: Friday, August 21, 2009
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Place: Kealakehe High School Cafeteria

The lawmakers have invited the following state officials to attend and provide information to the community: Brennon Morioka, Director of the Department of Transportation; Ted Liu, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism; and Ron Baird, Executive Director of NELHA.

The problem: Presently, access to Pine’s beach via the Kohanaiki shore line access road is blocked from the north bound Queen Ka’ahumanu highway lanes. A driver must travel one (1) mile north to the NELHA turn-off to make a safe U-turn and then travel south to the new Kohanaiki shore line access road. When Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway is widened, a safe driver will need to travel to the airport turn-off to make a safe U-turn.

“I have already experienced someone stopping in the middle of Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway to make a U-turn to get to the new Kohanaiki shore line access road,” said Rep. Coffman. “I am concerned about traffic safety, and we’ll be working with the Department of Transportation to find a solution.”

Access to the Pine’s area via the Kohanaiki shore access road from the southbound lanes is unsafe. The right-turn in and right-turn out are directly from the highway; no special turn or merge lanes have been provided.

“All the beaches in Hawaii must remain open and accessible to the public by law,” said Senator Josh Green. “People should be able to access the beach without putting themselves and their families at risk. This is an opportunity for the community to give their feedback and to urge a quick response.”


Contact: Rep. Denny Coffman – 808-586-9605
Sen. Josh Green – 808-586-9385