HAWAIIAN GROUP SUES TO STOP WAVE POOL #2
Hawaii News Now - April 26, 2023
A group of Native Hawaiian and environmental activists have sued the state and the developers of the Honokea Surf Village in Kalaeloa, which includes a large wave pool
They say the project will contaminate the groundwater and desecrate Hawaiian burials.
The suit filed in the state Circuit Court calls for a more strict environmental impact study of the $106 million project, located on 19 acres of vacant land next to the Kalaeloa Airport.
Because the developers plan to use injection wells to empty the 7 million-gallon wave pool every other year, the protestors worry that the chemicals in the pool will seep into the groundwater and nearby shorelines.
“Their plan to take out the water and to inject their used water back into the karst – it’s going to damage the nearshore limu and fisheries and all of the traditions that depend on them,” said Dayne Kahau of Na Kiai o Wai Ha, which filed the suit.
The project’s co-founder, famed waterman Brian Keaulana, said he was disappointed by the protestors’ “misguided accusations.”
‘We are aware of our island’s water concerns and will be integrating conservation into our operations. The project site in Kalaeloa has been in disrepair for decades,” said Keaulana.
“We’ve met with a number of Hawaiian cultural advisors and conducted extensive archaeological and environmental studies to ensure that we protect and malama the site....”
...The planned surf village will compete with the newly opened Wai Kai surf park in Ewa Beach, less than a mile away.
“This
is the no. 1 surf site in the world. Why do we need a wave pool? Why do
we need two? We are in Hawaii; go catch a surf, go White Plains,” said
Keline Kahau, who opposes the project.
