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At the juncture of Kopilimai Road and Highway 19, just a short way from the main intersection in the residential area of Papaikou, 73-year-old Manuel Sarme stands by the roadside. He is holding a sign that reads: A’ole Papa’ikou Point Project.

Sarme is one of about 90 people who have come out on this unusually chilly Saturday afternoon to protest a proposed rezoning of agricultural lands along this section of North Hilo coastline, just above the establishment known as “Pinky’s.”

“I live here all my life,” Sarme says before listing the reasons he is opposed to the rezoning. Although he expresses himself quite well, the spry septuagenarian needs no words to present his best argument. His bright smile, alert eyes and strong build are proof of a life well led — “I live the life of the land,” he explains — and he is here to protect that lifestyle not only for himself but for future generations.

“I could see if it is for planting,” says Sarme, “but this . . . no can.” He is referring to a pending request by absentee landowner Steve Shropshire to have the State Land Use Commission rezone most of the area for urban use. Shropshire hopes to subdivide just over 90 acres he owns makai of the highway and develop about 200 homes on it. If approved, the development would double the population of Papa’ikou.

A little further, past the main intersection in the direction of Honokaa, a group representing the younger generation holds their own signs. Jonah Kaaukai, Levi Medieros, Sui the dog, Aaron Abalos, Darren Abalos, Brittany Castro and Paul Desoto, all in the 18- to 21-year-old range, crowd around a banner that reads: “This aint the mainland.”

How do these youth judge the reaction from the people passing by? “Pretty cherry, choke people honking.” Why are they standing by the side of the road? “You’re never too young to make a difference.” Why do they oppose the rezoning? “It’s good the way it is already.”

It would seem the state agrees with this last comment anyway. According to the state, Shropshire’s land is not only good but prime in terms of its value as an agricultural resource. The other major chunks of land in question are zoned “conservation,” with a very small portion already designated as “urban.”

On the Hilo side of Sarme, an even greater number of protestors is lined up. Walking behind them one sees that many of the signs they hold say “Ken Fujiyama” on the back. Although no one here can verify if this well-known Hawai`i businessman is opposed to Shropshire’s proposed development, clearly Fujiyama is in favor of recycling the campaign signs from his failed bid for State House.

Craig Neff is one of the community members responsible for organizing the impressive showing and he is not surprised to see how many turned out, nor is he surprised to see how many of the people passing by are honking their horns in support. “It doesn’t stop in Papa’ikou,” he says. “This is about all of Hamakua, that’s why our shirts say Malama Hamakua.” Neff designed the standout shirts that identify members of what he is calling the Protect Papa’ikou Ohana. As a Hawaiian cultural practitioner, Neff brings this perspective to the opposition: “We are here to honor this land.”

Neff explains that while he and many others standing with him this day attended a public presentation given by Shropshire, they are using this opportunity to make their own public statement about how the community views the developer’s plans.

Judging by the numbers along the road and the responses registered by drivers passing by — Shropshire is headed for some stiff opposition.

At 41, Kalani Lyman looks like he is following in Manuel Sarme’s footsteps. He is a descendant of the famous Lyman missionary family, who like Sarme and many others speaking out against the rezoning, has lived in Papa’ikou a very long time. He claims to be a fourth-generation fisherman who depends on the land for his livelihood and as such bristles at claims made by the developer that those accessing the marine resources from this coastline can go someplace else. “I am not a recreational fisherman,” says Lyman. “I am a native gatherer.”

Lyman has already filed to gain status with the State Land Use Commission as an intervener in the case, and it is likely that his efforts to protect his gathering rights will provide the most thorny legal issue for Shropshire. In these tough economic times, Lyman’s argument is likely to find increased favor even if it’s only outside the system. Many local families are looking at how the land can sustain them as well. Keeping prime agricultural lands zoned for that purpose and protecting near-shore fishing resources from run-off are ways to increase, rather than diminish, local food supplies.

The Papa’ikou Point project will be just one of many testing Mayor Kenoi’s campaign assertions that donations from developers would not influence his politics. Shropshire supported Kenoi’s campaign and donated a total of $500 as of Kenoi’s last reporting. Also of note, a $1,000 donation from the man who helped prepare Shropshire’s petition — Carlsmith Ball attorney, Steven S. C. Lim.

As he makes his case for the rezoning before the state Land Use Commission, Shropshire relies heavily on the Hawaii County General Plan designation, which identifies the area in question as a preferred site for urban expansion. The county planning department is an automatic intervener in the case and given the cozy relationship between Kenoi and developers in general, as well as with Shropshire, and Lim in particular, a rubber-stamping seems likely.

Just days prior to this gathering, Hawaii Public Radio reported on Kenoi at the state legislature asking for increased funding for agricultural development on Hawaii Island (among other budget items). He stated that the support was necessary to keep prime agricultural lands from being lost to urban and residential developments. Surely the folks lining the highway this wintry day will be tracking the changes in Kenoi’s tune as the proposal crafted by donors Shropshire and Lim makes its way through the approval process.

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