Kunia golf course may open in December

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Royal Kunia Golf Course, which has not opened since it was built in 1994, could open for use by the end of the year, pending approval of an agreement by the City Council.

Under an agreement approved by the Council's Zoning Committee this week, the owner of the 164-acre course, JAC Hawaii, would not have to pay the city $13 million in community impact fees originally required of former course developers Royal Oahu Resort Inc. and Halekua Development Corp.

The course has remained unused because only $12 million has been paid on a $25 million impact fee required by the city.

Under the new agreement, owners and creditors have agreed to pay the city $2.5 million and a dollar per round for the life of the course.

JAC Hawaii officials said if the agreement is finalized by the full Council by the end of summer, the course should be open by December. JAC Hawaii plans to spend $10 million in improvements and will have between 40 and 50 employees.

Construction on a clubhouse would begin in the fall and take about a year.