One of Hawaii’s most-visited black sand beaches could be turned into a new resort if plans for a proposed development are given the green light, but the project is already dividing the local community.
Sacred land where rare turtles nest
Punaluu, situated on Hawaii Island’s southeastern coast, is among only 20 black sand beaches in the world. It provides a rare nesting ground for endangered hawksbill turtles. The number of daily visitors to the beach and cars that park illegally nearby already upset locals and environmentalists, who note the negative effects of noise and light pollution on not only the turtles but the human population too.
Now, adding to those concerns are plans for a resort village complex. As well as failing to address a broken wastewater system in the area, the planning application uses an outdated environmental impact assessment, locals say and does not sufficiently consider problems such as overtourism, or the fact the land is sacred to some islanders, as the site of an ancestral burial ground.
Low density?
But the developers argue the project has the “smallest footprint” possible while remaining economically viable and enabling the land to be looked after responsibly. The supposed “low density” Punaluu Village has been scaled back from a colossal 2,900 accommodation units in the 434-acre plot to just 225, after consultation.
But, if it goes ahead, the new village resort will boast not only restored pre-existing facilities such as a golf course, tennis courts, a boat ramp and education centre, and a restaurant. The complex will also benefit from a wellness centre, a two-and-a-half-story condominium, shops, a marketplace, conference facilities with cabin retreats, and parking.
In addition, the corporation has promised the development will be around 320 meters away from the shoreline with no commercial activity or parking on the beach. Native fish ponds and vegetation will also be reinstated, they say.
Lack of local initiatives?
This has not allayed concerns, but despite a legal challenge launched in March to ensure Native Hawaiians remain the stewards of Punaluu, Black Sand Beach LLC has continued to defend the project, pointing out to USA Today it has invested over $1 million in the development already.
In a PR move that may prove an error, the real estate firm, formed when Californian businesswoman Eva Liu acquired the plot in 2020, has seemingly hit back at locals, describing the land as in “terrible shape of disrepair” on purchase, and strongly implying no one else has been taking care of it or had any ambition.
“Disturbed by the lack of local initiatives to revive the area, Eva felt an undeniable duty to intervene,” Black Sand Beach LLC said, highlighting that the area has been passed from developer to developer over the years until they came along and set about removing rubbish, clearing overgrown vegetation, and demolishing infrastructure dating back to the 1960s.
Though some locals welcome the opportunity for employment and the economic boost the area is bound to receive, such a paternalistic attitude from Black Sand Beach LLC and Liu is only likely to cause further consternation in Hawaii, where horrific wildfires in 2023 have prompted widespread re-evaluation of the island state’s relationship with tourism, especially in regard to local involvement, influence, and ownership.
