Video by David Corrigan | Voice of Stephanie Salazar

HILO, Hawaii: The Department of Land and Natural Resources held two meetings – one in Kona on Monday, and this one in Hilo on Tuesday evening – to discuss the future of the Kiholo Bay.

A Master Plan and EIS is being developed for Kiholo State Park Reserve in North Kona, and the meetings gave residents who use the presently unmanaged park for camping and recreation a chance to share their opinion.

A number of vision alternatives were presented to the small crowd in Hilo, including a wildland alternative that would eliminate all vehicle traffic makai of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Other plans depicted different camping alternatives.

Officials say the plan is needed because things have been getting a little out of hand at Kiholo over the years, without the proper enforcement. Recently, hundreds of people “living” at Kiholo were evicted off the land by authorities.

As the plan is being developed, an interim management plan will go into effect.

From October 1 to approximately November 17, 2011, the makai gate along the highway will be closed to vehicular access. Pedestrian access from the highway will be allowed for day use only during this time. By mid-November, 2011, permits for camping at Kiholo State Park Reserve will be available.

The Division of State Parks, in close collaboration and with considerable support from the community non-profit organization Hui Aloha Kiholo, will remove discarded debris and rubbish, install camping area signs at designated campsites, construct and install new gates, install barriers to vehicular access to the beach, and clarify existing footpaths to beach and camping areas.