The Ka Iwi coast will remain natural for all generations to enjoy. The properties’ cultural sites will be protected to honor the past and perpetuate cultural practices and knowledge. Safeguarding the last two threatened parcels will keep intact the viewplanes and historic relationships between each celebrated place along the Coast. Maintaining this connection will perpetuate the stories of this land ‐ where Chief Mo‘ikeha’s sisters Makapu‘u and ‘Ihi‘ihilauakea reside, and where a man named Ha‘ikamalama at Hanauma heard the pahu (drum) of Mo‘ikeha’s son Chief La‘amaikahiki, and rushed past the threatened properties to Makapu‘u to investigate the source.

All generations will have that same feeling of sudden transition from city to country as they reach Hanauma, and continue past Kohelepelepe (Koko Crater), Hālona Blowhole, bodyboarders at Sandy Beach, Awāwamalu and the gently sloping Ka Iwi Coast Mauka Lands, and Makapu‘u.

If you are reading this it is likely you already know that after our successful summer fundraising campaign, we've entered our final phase of negotiations to save Ka Iwi for good, but what you may not know is where it all began..."

1972: Community organizes to oppose a 7,756-room resort at Awāwamalu.

1983: City rezones Awāwamalu in response to 10 year community effort to stop the proposed resort.

1987: City’s “Coastal View Study,” notes that the Koko Head Viewshed from Hanauma Bay to Makapu‘u “ has long been recognized for its unique visual and environmental qualities,” and is “the crescendo of a continuous visual sequence” from Hawai‘i Kai or Waimānalo.

1988: After collecting 40,000 signatures in 10 weeks, the Save Sandy Beach Initiative is put on the ballot and residents vote overwhelmingly to rezone land mauka of Sandy Beach Park from residential to preservation to prevent a luxury residential subdivision. The Legislature unanimously passes a resolution asking DLNR to develop a park plan for Ka Iwi coast.

1989: The Hawai‘i Supreme Court strikes down the Save Sandy Beach ballot initiative and removes all counties of their
land-use initiative voting rights. However, weeks later, the City Council voted unanimously to rezone the parcels mauka of Sandy Beach from residential to preservation.

1995: Proposed 12 parcel development along Ka Iwi coast is dropped after community opposition. The State releases a
draft EIS and Master Plan for the proposed Ka Iwi State Park.

1998: The State condemns 305 acres at Awāwamalu for incorporation into the proposed Ka Iwi State Park. The City of Honolulu rezones Queen’s Beach in response to a ten-year effort by the community to stop major hotel development on
the coast between Sandy Beach and Makapu‘u. After a long court fight, the Hawaii Supreme Court finally affirmed the
rezoning in 1991.

2002: City purchases the land near Sandy Beach Park once targeted for development.

2006: Community launches “No Cabins on Ka Iwi” campaign following plans for 180 “resort cabins” on the Ka Iwi coast mauka land residential subdivision. Responding to community pressure, the state Legislature unanimously passes a resolution asking the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop a park plan for the Ka Iwi coast.

2009: New developer purchases the 182-acre Ka Iwi Coast mauka lands for $9 million and announces plans to build a “golf academy” and visitor facilities. Landowners and developers work out a deal with the city that would have allowed them to develop 12 parcels in the Hawai‘i Kai to Makapu‘u area. Community groups led by the Ka Iwi Action Council organize to oppose the scheme, and it is eventually dropped. The state releases a draft environmental impact statement and Master Plan for the proposed Ka Iwi State Park.

2010: Urged by community, the State re-designates the coastal Awāwamalu lands from “urban” to “conservation.” The state condemns and buys Queen’s Beach for incorporation into the proposed Ka Iwi State Park, while the city completes the purchase of the land near Sandy Beach Park once targeted for development.

2011: Ka Iwi Coalition, now a committee under the nonprofit Livable Hawai‘i Kai Hui, initiates discussion of a purchase of the Ka Iwi coast mauka lands. Ka Iwi Coalition contacts the Trust for Public Land for help. Developers announce plans for a complex of 180 “resort cabins” on the remaining undeveloped mauka ridges above the Ka Iwi coast. Responding to community opposition organized by the Ka Iwi Coalition, the city of Honolulu tightens rules for developing preservation-zoned land.

2014: The Trust for Public Land & Livable Hawai‘i Kai Hui received $3.5M for the purchase from the City Clean Water and Natural Lands Program, and the State Legacy Land Conservation Program. Utah-based developer purchases 181 acres of mauka ridge lands at Ka Iwi for a questionable $9 million and announces plans to build a “golf academy” and visitor facilities.

2015: You helped save the Ka Iwi coast mauka Lands, completing this 40 year movement to protect the entire Ka Iwi coast.