GOV LINGLE INSPECTS KAIPALAOA LANDING FOR BEACH PARK
Bob Duerr • April 29, 2010
Conceptual Site Plan
Before / After pix 12/7/08 cleanup
L-R. Margarita Hopkins, Marc Miranda, Elizabeth Dykstra, Gordon Heit, Andrew Bohlander, Governor Lingle, Jack Petrison, James McCully, Stan Lawrence and Ron Terry
In a recent visit to the Big Island, Governor Linda Lingle visited Downtown Hilo to inspect Kaipalaoa Landing, the prospective home of a new community beach park. Governor Lingle met with Malama Kaipalaoa, a citizens group which has adopted the small peninsula and for the last year has performed clean ups and planning sessions.
Currently, the Governor has on her desk a request from Mayor Billy Kenoi to turn Kaipalaoa Landing, an unencumbered land controlled by DLNR, over to Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation. Elizabeth Dykstra, a Hawaii County R&D specialist, has been facilitating the process. The landing, though not large, is a gateway area to Hilo Town and according to landscape architect doing preliminary concept drawings, Leonard Bisel of Leonard Bisel Associates: “The "park" as we know it is approx. 23,184 s.f. or .53 acres.”
Presently, Kaipalaoa at the base of Waianuenue Avenue, is home to a U.S. Coast Guard lighthouse, and a waste water pump station. The area is frequented by surfers, fishermen, tourists and residents enjoying the small coconut lined area. Malama Kaipalaoa is facilitated by the community outreach program of Big Island RC&D coordinated by Stephen Skipper.
Downtown Hilo businessman and Hawaiian cultural expert, Sig Zane, says that Kaipalaoa “was highly admired in the days of the ocean traveling noblemen, the whaling ships, and even as the port of call for cargo and passenger. Visible from a distance, the landing beckoned the ocean traveler to partake of the inviting cool and visit the shoreline village.”
Zane whose family has “honored and respected” Kaipaloa for generations describes the area as important for Kamehameha the Great who loved to surf there, on one of the best waves in Hawaii.
Malama Kaipalaoa member Zane, explains why the Kaipalaoa Landing park project is important for him: “Kaipalaoa represents bliss. While surfing in Hilo Bay, I am totally consumed by the beauty of the environment, the energy from a wave that has come from a great distance, and the motherly embrace of place. There is no other place I'd rather be.”
For more information contact Malama Kaipalaoa through Stan Lawrence at 935-1533.
Hilo Bayfront Trails Public Meeting
Auntie Sally's Luau House • December 10, 2008
About forty people attended the third and final public meeting of the Hilo Bayfront Trails Planning Committee at Auntie Sally's Luau House, for the purpose of presenting the draft conceptual plans for the project. Members of the business and surfing communities have attended the previous meetings and formed an ad-hoc Kaipalaoa Landing Working Group (KLWG) in order to bring awareness of the cultural and historic significance of this Hilo Bayfront location. One of the items on the KLWG 'wish list' was represented on the consultant's conceptual plans - that of a crosswalk and pedestrian signal across Highway 19. This addresses the need for safe access to the Kaipalaoa Landing.
Past Articles
Kaipalaoa - A Resurrection in Progress • By Steve Skipper, December 7, 2008
References to Kaipalaoa (10/27/08)
How Hilo Got its Name - Kamehameha's warriors tie up their canoes at Kaipalaoa
Kaipalaoa Heiau - (25.4 MB) Hawaiian Almanac & Annual 1905, pg 56, pp 3
Map of Hilo Bay - During the time of Kamehameha I, denoting the seven ahupua'a spreading from Hilo
Ali'i Kanawai Mamalahoe - Kamehameha declares law of "Splintered Paddle" at Kaipalaoa
Mamalahoe Kanawai - Another document on "Splintered Paddle" decree at Kaipalaoa
Splintered Paddle Again - Wikipedia's version of events - see History Mamalahoa Hwy, pp 4
Riddling Contest - Kaipalaoa avenges his father's death through disputation (ho'opapa)
The Riddler - Kaipalaoa's skill at riddling (see pp 3, 4 in section "Legends of the Riddling Chiefs ...")
Suppression of Namakaeha's Revolt - Kamehameha's last war (and victory) at Kaipalaoa
Opukaha'ia - Location of Opukaha'ia's parents and brothers death during Namakaeha's Revolt
Opukaha'ia - Another reference to Opukaha'ia's slain parents and brother at Kaipalaoa
Kamehameha's Favorite Surf Spot - Na kupuna also remember surf's up in 1940's (pg 6, pp 2)
Ancient Hawaiian Surf Spots - Hawaiian names and meanings - check # 9b and 9c
Proverb - Reference to Kaipalaoa in Mary Kawena Pukui's "Olelo No'eau"
Huia - (55.8 MB) Surf spot outside of Kaipalaoa, Hawaiian Almanac & Annua 1896, pg 114, pp 3
Wahi Pana o Na Kohola - Legendary places of whales, NOAA brochure, inside right panel

Hilo Bayfront Trails Document - (56.6 MB) Public record from previous 2 meetings
Aerial photographs of Kaipalaoa Landing courtesy of Kirk Pu'uohau-Pummil/Gemini Observatory