The council's Land Use Committee recessed its meeting on Honua'ula, previously named Wailea 670, until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow after listening to almost 4 1/2 hours of testimony in the Council Chambers.

Approximately 55 of the 122 people signed up to testify on the Honua'ula rezoning application were able to present comments yesterday afternoon. The rest of those who signed up and any other interested individuals will have to wait until tomorrow.

Honua'ula proposes 1,400 single-family homes and multifamily units, 80,000 square feet of commercial space and one private golf course on 670 acres mauka of the Wailea Resort.

The developers are seeking modifications to the project district approvals granted in the late 1980s when the original Wailea 670 proposed two golf courses and 2,600 housing units within a series of gated communities.

Passionate pleas for and against the project echoing statements made at past public hearings were aired yesterday.

Native Hawaiian cultural specialist Ed Lindsey reiterated his worries about bulldozing more than 100 acres containing native Hawaiian plants and trees.

"It really breaks my heart," he said. "We need to be careful that this doesn't turn into a stepping stone of urbanization."

Lindsey was among the majority speaking out against Honua'ula. Arguments against the project included protests of the impact on the island's limited water resources, increased traffic congestion and diminishing of cultural and land resources.

Rob Parsons, a former county executive assistant on environmental concerns, spoke for the Sierra Club and called for a new environmental impact statement. He said the last one was in 1988 when the initial Wailea 670 project was brought forth.

Parsons said additional studies on the preservation of flora in the natural habitat on the 670 acres need to be reviewed.

In contrast, those speaking up in favor of Honua'ula pleaded for approval because it would provide 700 affordable housing units. Honua'ula, supporters pointed out, would be the first major project to comply with a county Residential Workforce Housing Policy mandating new housing developments to include a minimum of 40 percent and up to 50 percent at affordable prices.

"For me that is a very important part of this project. I think this is important all by itself," Gene Zarro said.

Bill Kamai of the Hawaii Carpenters Union said Honua'ula would mean more jobs not only for carpenters, but plumbers, laborers, vendors and all those connected to the construction industry.

Kamai said the 700 affordable units would cover about 25 percent of the 3,000 affordable housing units needed on Maui. In addition, Kamai pointed out that Honua'ula will pay more than $40 million in impact fees for highway improvements, parks and a homeless resource center in South Maui.

Stan Franco of Housing for the Local Person, a grassroots group advocating for more affordable housing on Maui, testified wearing a white T-shirt with the words "Housing Now."

Franco's organization suggested a number of conditions to the approval, including insisting that Honua'ula build all its the affordable housing within the project district and that the proposed golf course be open to public play.

Opponents wore T-shirts saying: "Wailea 670 Just Say No." The back of the T-shirt stated: "No to more traffic, more golf courses, more wasted water, more urban sprawl."

Realtor Bonnie Newman, a Maui Meadows resident, said she doubted the developers would be able to construct 700 affordable housing units.

"I don't believe it for a moment," Newman said.

A few others testifying were skeptical about whether they could even afford the affordables, with prices starting around $225,000.

Council Land Use Chairman Mike Molina said he would think about a request to hold a nighttime meeting for individuals unable to attend the daytime hearings.