Helping Hanauma? Depends on who's talking.

So far, the story of Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a success story about the caring and insightful people of Oahu, who understand that less is often more.

If the gem of the Pacific is Hawaii, then to the east of the volcanic crater Diamond Head, on the Island of Oahu, lies yet another diamond -- Hanauma Bay. Though surrounded by hiking trails and spectacular vistas, the main attraction in Hanauma Bay is snorkeling. There are abundant tropical fish and coral reefs clearly visible through the turquoise waters of this approximately 32,000-year-old flooded volcanic crater. For thousands of years a fringing reef has protected Hanauma Bay from wave erosion. But by the late 1960s, the bay needed protection from the environmental impact of frequent visitors.

The need to save this treasure was recognized, and Hanauma Bay was declared a protected marine life conservation district and underwater park in 1967. An education program was implemented immediately to inform visitors on proper care and respectful usage.

"Overuse and unawareness were killing the Bay, so educating the public became our primary concern," said Hanauma Bay Recreation Specialist II, Martha McDaniel.

The secret was out about the wonders of Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, as it is called today, and extreme measures would have to be taken by both the city and county to curtail the environmental impact of frequent public visitation. If the number of visitors did not decrease, then the park would simply die. The marketing campaign turned into one of educating the public.

"Trying to conserve the area and not have it destroyed by overuse helped to launch the education program at Hanauma Bay," added McDaniel.

Positive Changes

As a consequence, a permit process for groups was established to help regulate the number of patrons visiting Hanauma Bay. Time constraints were also created: a two-hour visitation cap was imposed on all group visits. Two years later a beach smoking ban "tremendously cut down on litter," added McDaniel. The city and county were determined to save the park.

Another sign of too much intrusion was that the fish at Hanauma Bay had become increasingly more aggressive over the years. Visitors were actually getting bitten on a daily basis, when large schools of fish would attack those in the water. The abnormal food supply at the hands of visitors wasn't what nature had in mind. In order to remedy the situation, the state passed a no fish-feeding ordinance. "This not only has allowed the fish population to return to normal numbers, but today smaller, less aggressive and [more] attractive fish are now seen throughout the Bay," says McDaniel.

The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve has the dual distinction of being one of the more popular recreational swimming, snorkeling and picnicking areas on Oahu, as well as being one of the most heavily used nature preserves in the world, drawing over one million visitors per year.

Over 10 years have passed since the education program began at Hanauma Bay, and during that same time, the number of visitors to the park has decreased from three million to just over one million per year. This decrease in patronage may fly in the face of Wall Street business philosophy, but in terms of preserving natural wonders for future generations, it is the quality of the merchandise, not the money made that's important.

So far, the story of Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a success story about the caring and insightful people of Oahu, who understand that less is often more. We can only hope that others will more or less follow this example.

A More Painful Approach

In January 1999 Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris unveiled a plan to redevelop and expand the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Land became available that was being utilized by the Job Corps program across the highway from the bay and bordering the Koko Health Regional Park. The mayor's plan included building a visitor/education center across the highway from the bay on the Job Corps site, relocating the parking lot to the adjacent regional park, and developing an aquarium inside the Nature Preserve.

The local community protested vigorously against the plan. They felt the proposed development was too commercial, that it took away the regional park from the community and gave it to the tourists, and that it imposed too many unwanted burdens on residents. To counter this concern, the mayor formed a citizen's task force to plan the. improvement. One third of the task force were members of the East Honolulu Community Coalition, the major opponents to the mayor's plan. The rest of the group were community leaders and park advocates. The task force had a six-month window of opportunity and a challenge. Funding for the improvement had to be committed by the end of the year or it would be lost.

By September, the task force presented a new, scaled-down plan. This plan was accepted by all but the East Honolulu Community Coalition. And while city officials approved the permits and budgets, the coalition continued to look for a way to stop the development.

What Went Wrong

The root of the problem was the way in which the planned improvements were developed. The mayor and his staff initially planned them, without any consultation with the community. The community didn't have a stake in the plan's development, so numerous groups found something to hate in the plan. For example, the plan called for the demolition of a baseball field in the regional park to make way for the parking lot. Community volunteers had built the park. Those who had sweat equity in the ball field were ready to go to war over it.

Another problem was timing. By the time the mayor scrapped the original plan and formed a task force to recommend improvements, the opposition for development was already entrenched. Trust was an issue.

What's more, because the funds for improvement had been allocated before the plans were drawn up, they were set to run out by the end of the year. The mayor didn't want to go back to the city council for a new appropriation (because community opposition was mounting), so he chose instead to try to push through the plan. This compacted time frame didn't allow the task force to work out all the objections of the East Honolulu Community Coalition, and thus they continued to fight the development.

In the end, the community got a lot of what it wanted: a scaled-down version of the improvements. The mayor got some of what he wanted: a showcase facility in one of the most visible areas of Hawaii. Yet because of the way the project was created, the process dragged on for two years, and the final cost is sure to be higher both in terms of dollars and community cohesion.

Be Sensitive to Heritage

Develop vs. Preserve

When the city of Hawai'i Kai decided to invest $10 million to build an education center, restrooms and snack bar, they thought it was a boon to the community. What the city thought was a boon, the nonprofit environmental and education group `Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi, thought was a bust. There were endemic Hawaiian plants and archeological sites in the area, contended the nonprofit.

The city listened as the citizens' group shared its concerns. Each shared its knowledge and goals for the area. After six months of discussions, `Ahahui Malama president Charles Pe'ape'a Makawalu Burrows wrote a letter to Gary Yee, the city's Department of Design and Construction Director, in support of the project. "We believe that the construction at the proposed site would have no significant impact upon any endangered Hawaiian plant or animal species," the letter said. "Since there has been no physical evidence of a significant archaeological feature or known historical Hawaiian cultural practice rendered at this specific location, this should not prevent the construction of the center at this site." The `Ahahui agreed that the present buildings and displays were "outdated, inadequate and a disgrace," and that the planned design of the Marine Education Center would be unobtrusive and blend naturally into the environment. Hanauma Bay Park Manager Alan Hong said that Burrows made the decision to support the project only after extensive research.

So the city again made plans for the upgrades. And then another citizen-led coalition voiced a different opinion. The East Honolulu Community Coalition, which represents about 80 East Honolulu residents, opposed the project and requested a contested-case hearing before the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. They testified that they go to Hanauma Bay for spiritual and cultural purposes, and development would harm their ability to pray.

The East Honolulu Community Coalition was asked to show how they would be affected by the project in a way that wouldn't affect the general public. "A large part of my meditation focuses on the natural environs of the place. It also calls upon the mana'o of the gods to give me guidance ... development will interfere with my spiritual use of the place," testified Roy Benham.

Another resident, Beverly "Nana" Palenapa reported that she has dreams of when the Bay was a haven for Hawaiian chiefs and their followers. She said she also goes to Hanauma Bay to pray and to enjoy the open spaces. The project would destroy the serenity of the bay, she felt.

After many debates, the project to renovate the facilities at Hanauma Bay was approved.

Ken Cornia has been in the outdoor recreation field for over 20 years and recently served as a recreation specialist in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He has a bachelor of science degree in geology from the University of Washington and has operated his own guide service in the Northwest. His installment for the Parks & Recreation Great Parks Series is entitled, "Helping Hanauma? Depends on Who's Talking," and begins on page 80.