Now, an all-volunteer organization — backed by well-known and well-placed individuals and grass-roots support from around the world — has raised more than $7 million to save the unspoiled land from potential development.

Alarm bells sounded in 2002 when the 1,129-acre parcel was put on the market for $12 million by Obayashi, the Japanese construction company that has owned it since 1974. The pristine land, it was said, was being considered for a 500-home project.

Since then the development project has stalled and the market has not responded to the asking price. Members of the volunteer group, the North Shore Community Land Trust, hope the owners might now agree to a figure somewhere between the money they've raised and the asking price.

No matter what, the coalition is determined to find a way to move the property from private to reserved public lands quickly — preserving the area's unique and natural beauty.

"We want to lock this up as soon as possible," said Gerry Meade, a Pupukea resident and member of the North Shore Neighborhood Board.

"We want this land to be there for our children and their children and visitors for a long, long time to come. It belongs to everyone."

For years Pupukea-Paumalu remained peacefully in the background, even as area leaders and residents casually discussed preserving it for future generations.

But with the possibility that the famous surfing backdrop could soon be developed, the coalition of federal, state, local and private entities rushed to head developers off at the pass.

A bill to ensure state financing failed to pass in the Legislature last year. However, the coalition, aided by its project partner, a national conservation organization called the Trust for Public Land, has raised millions in city, state, federal and military monies.

U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye and U.S. Rep. Ed Case are only two among a growing list of influential persons who have signed on in support. Earlier this month, noted North Shore singer-songwriter Jack Johnson met in Japan with representatives of Obayashi.

"The basic thing I got out of the meeting was that they want what the community wants," said Johnson, who presented company executives with a gift basket that included a painting of the property by artist Bill Braden.

"As far as they were concerned, they'd rather have the land be a park if that's what everybody wants, rather than see it turn into a development."

Community Land Trust chairman Blake McElheny said people have responded from far and wide to the call to save Pupukea-Paumalu. In addition to politicians and entertainers, he said he has received pledges of support from the Honolulu City Council, the Legislature, dozens of agencies, environmental groups and businesses, not to mention the testimonials of thousands of individuals from across Hawai'i and all around the world.

McElheny said that everyone agrees with the urgency of the situation. He hopes a deal can be sealed with Obayashi by the end of the year.

"The impression we've got from them is that they would be pleased to see it go in this direction," said McElheny. "And they are determining what it would take to meet their needs.

"And what we're trying to say is whatever it takes, we're committed to make it happen. This needs to be a win-win — not only for the land owners, but the stakeholders who care so much about the property."