Council approves Turtle Bay expansion
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Turtle Bay Resort got the City Council's go-ahead to expand and renovate its facilities after showing progress in allowing public access to the shoreline.
Resort developer Kuilima Resort Co.'s application for a special management area use permit from the city drew criticism from the Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees, Local 5, and local fishermen who urged the council to withhold the permit until certain conditions were met.
While the opponents did not take issue with the proposed renovations, community members wanted to be ensured access to fishing spots, while the union wanted the resort to dedicate park space.
The hotel's 260 employees have been working without a contract for more than a year.
However, at yesterday's City Council meeting, most of the testimony was in support of the renovations, which several hotel employees, North Shore businesses and residents said were necessary to stimulate the area's economy.
The permit, approved unanimously by the council, will allow Turtle Bay to continue with the second phase of a $60 million renovation.
Council Zoning Chairman Charles Djou noted that the resort met all the requirements of the permit, which does not involve public access or park dedication. "I don't think we should be turning down an SMA permit on tangential reasons," he said.
Keith Kurahashi, representing the developers, told council members the city Department of Planning and Permitting has determined that planned expansion would not require the resort to dedicate a park. He added that the resort would be happy to dedicate a park if the plans ever trigger the requirement.
"We have a swimming pool area, as well as an open space area, that I'm sure would meet requirements," he said.
The areas are open to the public, so "It's just a matter of dedicating it for perpetuity," he said.
Hy Adelman, representing resort owner Oaktree Capital, said the public has access to the shoreline, restrooms, showers and 40 parking spaces 24 hours a day. He said 40 parking permits are available at the guard station on a first-come first-served basis.
However, the resort would not add more signs to reflect the public access because of aesthetic reasons. "We have to be as pleasant as possible," he said.
Didi Herron raised the public access issue after she was denied access to a fishing spot on the property in May 2002. "I would support this development if we could have our right to fish," she said.
She said that she was informed that one of the most productive fishing holes, which requires the fisher to sit on a cliff, was off limits. While she acknowledged that the waves wash over the high tide line during storms, she said it was safe.
"I've been fishing that hole since I was very young," she said. "This is where the moi runs seasonally. This is where the lobster runs seasonally. This is where I've been fishing since the '60s."
Turtle Bay attorney Randall Sakamoto addressed Herron's concerns, pointing out that the area in question was state land that could be reached through public access provided by the hotel, although it is not encouraged. "If people want to fish there, there is nothing the hotel can do to stop them from doing that," he said.
Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
