Posted on: Wednesday, April 28, 2004

EDITORIAL
Army plays a role in conserving open space

Who says the U.S. military can't be friends of the Earth? The Army has pledged to contribute $3 million to the Trust for Public Land toward the purchase of a 1,100-acre parcel above Sunset Beach on the North Shore.

Granted, its motive isn't entirely altruistic.

The Pupukea-Paumalu property abuts the Army's Kahuku training area, and so from a military standpoint, it's far more convenient to train next to undeveloped land.

Placing the property in permanent conservation status means the Army can make long-term plans for its training area without having to worry about development drawing near. In too many cases, longstanding training areas have been compromised when later development moved in close.

Regardless of the motivation, we applaud any effort to keep the North Shore pristine. It's the gem of O'ahu. Just ask the folks who want to make movies and TV series around the big waves.

The owners of the property, Obayashi Hawai'i Corp., had intended to turn it into a luxury home development, but a legal battle over the project derailed that plan. It has long been our contention that the site is best kept as conservation land to preserve its archaeological, cultural, botanical and recreational features.

Obayashi put the land up for sale for $12 million, and the trust has worked hard to draw financial support from numerous governmental entities. The Army has been a supporter right from the get-go:

"Besides offering an opportunity to develop a buffer against future encroachment, the Army also believes that the Pupukea-Paumalu project provides an excellent opportunity for cooperation between the Army and interested community groups," wrote Col. Floyd A. Quintana, Army director of public works.

Today, the Finance/Ways and Means conference committee will hear House Bill 2759, which would set aside $3 million in general-obligation bonds for the Pupukea-Paumalu project. That appropriation, however, depends on Gov. Linda Lingle's approval of the Legislature's $3.6 billion operating budget.

Another request for $3 million is pending before the City Council in the budget of Mayor Jeremy Harris. And U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye is working on securing additional millions.

Hopefully, the Army's $3 million pledge will speed up the acquisition and conservation of this stunning slice of the North Shore.