Meeting on Hokuli'a turns tense
Associated Press
KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — A meeting meant to urge state lawmakers to intervene in the case of a stalled luxury subdivision in South Kona turned heated over the weekend.
About 200 supporters and opponents of the Hokuli'a development packed the Konawaena Elementary School on Sunday for the meeting organized by project supporters Kids of Kona. The gathering was aimed at urging legislators to intervene and allow the residential project to proceed.
The 1,540-acre subdivision above Kealakekua Bay was shut down in 2003 when a state judge ruled it was illegal to build luxury homes on land zoned for agriculture.
Enthusiastic applause and boos greeted some of those who spoke during the meeting.
"I think it's horrible what happened down here on these makai lands," said William Paris, a proponent of the project, about the land between the highway and the shore. "They've tried to farm on them ... and then a drought will hit and the farmers go broke. These lands need to be reclassified."
While Paris' words were met with rousing applause, several people walked out when Jack Kelly, a plaintiff in a lawsuit brought against the project, was announced as the next speaker.
Kelly was the third Hokuli'a opponent in a row randomly selected to speak at the event, which upset project supporters.
"First, (Protect Keopuka Ohana) is not about developing or not developing. It's about the violation of public trust and the lack of enforcement of laws already on the books," Kelly said. "We're not about stopping development or highways. We have to do things the right way or else all these public-trust resources are not going to be used. It's up to us to pick up the ball."
Construction on the Hokuli'a project began in early 1998 but was stopped in September 2003 after Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra ruled the project — which featured plans for 750 home lots ranging from $1 million to $8 million, a golf course, a spa, tennis courts, a beach house and a club — violated state land-use laws.
Attempts to mediate a settlement failed, and the developer, 1250 Oceanside Partners, filed an appeal, which may take years.
Lawmakers have not passed any bills to settle the issue.
Legislators at the meeting included Big Island Sens. Russell Kokubun, D-2nd (S. Hilo, Puna, Ka'u); and Paul Whalen, R-3rd (Kohala, Ka'u); as well as Reps. Bob Herkes, D-5th (Ka'u, S. Kona); Cindy Evans, D-7th (N. Kona, S. Kohala); House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo, Wilhelmina Rise); and House Committee on Water, Land and Ocean Resources Chairman Ezra Kanoho, D-15th (Lihu'e, Koloa).
The lawmakers did not offer new solutions to the Hokuli'a conflict and reiterated that rezoning the land is up to the county.
"The legislative process deals with 76 individuals, and that's why no actions have been taken," Say said. "This is not just a Hokuli'a problem, but it is a statewide problem."
