Dec. 3, 2025

On a muggy and overcast day in Kona, Marissa Furfaro Harman KSK’96 led a walking tour along scenic Keauhou Bay, pointing out historic sites and fielding questions about Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha’s future plans in the region.

During the last nine years, Kamehameha Schools has engaged in extensive outreach, conducting more than 135 community meetings to connect with stakeholders including lineal descendants, nearby residents and bay users. At each session, Harman, ‘Āina Pauahi’s director of planning and development, has shared the educational trust’s vision of place-based cultural stewardship — addressing supporters as well as skeptics.

“Every time we do the tour, people say, ʻOh, that’s not what I thought this project was. That’s not what I was told (by critics). I’m so glad you shared this with me,’” Harman said.  

The proposed Keauhou Bay Management Plan involves approximately 29 acres at the bay, the birth site of Kauikeaouli, also known as Kamehameha III. The goal is to revitalize and transform the high-demand area into a place where culture and education are integrated with viable commercial operations that are vital for funding Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha’s educational and cultural programs.

Commercial activities would be reoriented away from culturally sensitive sites to reduce congestion and establish a new cultural education center. Existing commercial operations and parking areas would be relocated to new facilities in more suitable locations, away from cultural resources.

“These commercial operators have businesses, they have people they want to take out on tours or fishing expeditions.” Harman said. “You merge that with the local community who are trying to recreate out of the bay — the canoe paddlers and others — so it’s kind of this perfect situation for conflict. Where we come in is asking: ‘How can we better facilitate that use into the future that honors our commitments, improves our stewardship, and also supports our larger mission, which is generating funds in an appropriate way so we can continue our mission?’”

The proposal also includes creating low-impact lodging on the resort-zoned plateau ma uka of the bay.

“Zoning allows us to build 745 units. We’re proposing 150. Zoning allows eight-story buildings. We’re proposing two-story units. The total resort-zoned property is 25 acres. We want to focus on just eight of those acres,” Harman explained. “We don’t have a developer on board. This is a KS-developed vision. A big part of this vision is having it be a regenerative experience model.”

At the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention in October, members approved a resolution supporting Kamehameha Schools’ plans for Keauhou Bay.

“What we’re hearing a lot is, ʻI know change will come and I understand it needs to happen, and if you guys are doing the change, then I can support it’ because they know we’ll do it responsibly,” Harman said. 

Since the project is located within the Special Management Area (SMA), an SMA Use Permit is required from the County of Hawaiʻi. To obtain the permit, Kamehameha Schools must first go through the State Environmental Review Process. Instead of an environmental assessment, Kamehameha Schools chose to complete a more detailed and rigorous Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The final EIS was published in September of this year.

“We really wanted to convey to the community that we are not in a rush to do this. This is in response to the county asking us, ʻWhat might you do here in the future?’ so they can understand and plan for it,” Harman emphasized. “Ola Keauhou! is our intent to have these lands thrive. What is good for Keauhou, is good for our community, is good for Hawaiʻi.”