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Posted: Monday, April 4th, 2005 5:33 AM HST

Case working to preserve shoreline at Ka`u

By Associated Press

PAHALA, Hawaii (AP) _ Congressman Ed Case has taken the first step toward putting as much as 80 miles of shoreline on the Big Island's Ka'u Coast under federal protection. Case has sent a letter to the U-S Department of the Interior formally requesting they conduct a study of the region to determine whether the federal government should acquire the land for inclusion in the National Park System. Case told residents at a ``talk story'' meeting in Pahala on Saturday that he is requesting the department conduct a survey which could eventually lead to portions of the coastline being designated as Hawaii's first National Seashore, or becoming a national park or part of the nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In his letter, Case called the coastline ``largely pristine: unspoiled, undeveloped and uninhabited.'' He said it contains a wealth of Native Hawaiian archaeological and historical features, endangered species, magnificent beaches and spectacular vistas.'' The 80 miles of shoreline on the southern tip of the island of Hawaii is the longest undeveloped coastline in the state. (Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)