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By ANDREA KEALOHA
Hookipa Beach Park. What does this bring to mind for you? For me, I am flooded with fond memories of my childhood -- salty hair, sunburnt lips, endless summers and family gatherings. Hookipa brings to my mind memories of paddling out to Pavils, looking mauka to an endless landscape of green, open land, to the west a stunning sunset over the West Maui Mountains and peace and tranquility away from a noisy life. Fortunately, we can still visit Hookipa and relive these memories, but what if they were just that, memories?
Our island and, in particular, our north shore are changing rapidly. Some argue it's for the better, others argue it's for the worse, most fall somewhere in between. Regardless of your inclination, it is indisputable that the sea of green across from Hookipa, whether it is sugar cane or the grasslands that have grown in to replace it, is an integral part of the north shore experience for residents, surfers, fishermen, windsurfers, visitors and old-timers.
With the recent acquisition of large tracts of agricultural land adjacent to and surrounding Paia town, it is worth noting that the lands above Hookipa are vulnerable to just the same. These lands, approximately 680 acres from Holomua Road (Old Maui High School) to Maliko Gulch, are not designated Important Agricultural Lands, which means they could be developed. To anyone interested in subdividing and developing, these lands represent low-hanging fruit. Which is to say, they are likely to be sold and developed.
The development of these lands could lead to several alarming impacts. Of immediate concern is traffic. Anyone who has driven on the north shore knows that there is insufficient infrastructure to support the rapid growth, which leads to frustration for north shore residents. The negative impacts to coastal environments are also critical.
I was born and raised in Paia and my family has been living in Paia for many generations. Currently, I am a Ph.D. candidate in oceanography at Texas A&M University.
My research focuses on climate change impacts to coral reef ecosystems. I have grown up diving all along the Paia coastline and, unsurprisingly, Hookipa maintains some of the most abundant and visually healthy coral reefs in the area.
As someone who has studied these critically important and fragile ecosystems globally, in both pristine and human-influenced environments, I postulate this is partially because the lands surrounding Hookipa have not been developed or severely disturbed. Development above Hookipa would almost certainly release agricultural soil runoff that may contain toxins, lead to increased erosion and, potentially, sedimentation that would smother the reefs.
This could impact endangered turtle and seal populations, fishing, diving and gathering resources and human health.
These lands play an integral part of the cultural and environmental integrity of the Hamakuapoko ahupuaa as a whole. It would benefit the community, nearshore ecosystems, endangered species, cultural practitioners, fishermen, surfers, windsurfers, families and visitor industry most if the lands mauka of Hookipa were kept in open space in perpetuity. As an example, the county could purchase the land and designate it conservation or agricultural conservation. The land could be purchased by a land trust to conserve as open space in perpetuity. There truly are many options available other than direct development.
What is most important at this point is that a civil conversation would arise regarding the best and highest use for these lands -- a use that will benefit the community, particularly those of the Hamakuapoko ahupuaa. These lands do not have to meet the same fate as we are seeing elsewhere across the island. Change and development are inevitable, but we must be strategic when considering the fate of our resources.
Residents and the county must function as a unit and work together to support the interest of the community. With respectful conversation, informed research, creative planning and commitment, we can protect the future of our Hookipa, our north shore and the memories of our keiki.
* Andrea Kealoha is from Paia and is now a doctoral candidate in the Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University. She has studied coral reefs in the main Hawaiian Islands, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Palau and the Gulf of Mexico. She is also a recipient of the NOAA Nancy Foster Scholarship and serves as an ambassador for the National Marine Sanctuary System.