A group of concerned community members and lineal descendants of Punaluʻu and Kaʻū organized ʻIewe Hānau o ka ʻĀina in response to Black Sands LLC's Special Management Area Application (SMAA) for development at Punaluʻu. The SMAA was submitted without an updated Environmental Impact Statement. Also, due to overwhelming community opposition and limited, targeted outreach with mostly project supporters, our organization was created to provide a viable, culturally appropriate, and community-based alternative to development by foreign investors.

1. Lack of an updated EIS. The current development is based upon a 1988 EIS.

2. The effects of construction activity on people, flora, and fauna in costal adjacent areas, including endanged and endemic Hawaiian species.

3. Overcrowding and increased competition for access by locals who utilize the shoreline for subsistence, cultural, and recreational activities.

4. Accelerated increases in property taxes.

5. Lack of good faith communication and cooperation with land owner and concerned residents.

1. The majority of low-wage, entry level, service-oriented jobs created will not enable Kaʻū residents to afford the rapidly increasing cost of home ownership.

2. Most industries and employers on Hawaiʻi Island have many job openings. The resorts and hospitality industry is experiencing a huge shortage of workers. Hospitality jobs are currently not bringing people back home to work.

Yes. ʻIewe Hānau o ka ʻĀina is incorporated in the State of Hawaiʻi and recognized as a domestic non-profit corporation. ʻIewe Hānau o ka ʻĀina is recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.