Audubon Society looking at Waimea nature park
By Yasmin Anwar
Advertiser Staff Writer
Some environmental heavyweights are making their presence felt in the Waimea Falls Park debate out of fear that the money-losing tourist attraction may become more of an amusement park and less of a natural preserve.
The latest major player to take an interest in the North Shore venture is Tamar Chotzen, senior vice president for centers of the Audubon Society.
Chotzen, former executive director of the Ha wai'i Nature Center, was in Honolulu earlier this week to determine how the park could fit in with the Audubon Society's mission to preserve open spaces for wildlife and create nature centers.
She did not return calls made yesterday to her Sacramento, Calif., office seeking comment. However, those who met with with her in Hawai'i say they welcome her involvement.
"She knows the politics," said Diane Anderson, a director of the Waimea Botanical Foundation and former president of the North Shore Outdoor Circle.
Chotzen's interest in Waimea Falls Park has generated considerable excitement among those who want to see more of an emphasis on nature in the park's future status.
"With several groups involved, we could better maintain the property and not depend on the tourism business, because it hasn't worked," said Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Oswald Stender, who is opposed to OHA's shouldering the burden of buying the park.
An increasingly popular scenario for the 1,875-acre preserve, which was put up for sale last August, is one in which the Honolulu city government purchases the park and allows environment-friendly organizations to develop it.
That plan, some say, is far preferable to some floating proposals to keep the park open, including park general manager Ray Greene's idea of a "Zipline" gondola ride soaring 300 feet over Waimea Bay and the valley.
"People appreciate quality, not ticky-tacky," Anderson said.
Still the issue of how to turn a profit while enhancing the park's role as a cultural and botanical preserve is a difficult one for all concerned, especially with 150 jobs at stake.
"You have to have attractions that bring in revenue to pay for beautiful gardens and cultural sites," Greene said.
New York investor Christian Wolffer put the property on the market in August for $25 million. Then in April he placed it under bankruptcy protection.
Councilwoman Rene Mansho, whose district includes the North Shore, proposed that the city purchase the park after hearing her constituents' concerns about the fate of the property.
The city subsequently set aside $5.2 million for the purchase and has begun steps to condemn the property. Wednesday, the City Council voted to "lay on the table" a bill that gives the city administration the authority to begin acquisition proceedings for the property.
OHA trustee John Waihe'e IV began looking into OHA's purchasing the property and turning it into a more authentic Hawaiian cultural attraction. Regarding it as an investment, he proposes that OHA offer about $6 million.
But the OHA governing board is torn, weighing the cost of the venture against its other obligations regarding the welfare of Native Hawaiians. The full board has not voted on the matter.
Meanwhile, as a prospective buyer, the Sea World theme park chain has sent officials to tour the park, but has made no offers.
