HONOLULU — Gov. Linda Lingle says she's hearing overwhelming community support in favor of her idea to buy the 850-acre Turtle Bay property on O'ahu's North Shore.

Critics have said Lingle has no plan to pay for the property.

But the governor says in her weekly radio address that she's listening to ideas for how to fund a state government purchase of one of Hawai'i's natural treasures.

Lingle plans to host a community meeting March 4 at Kahuku High School to discuss the proposal with North Shore residents and other interested parties.

A measure in the Legislature would give Lingle the ability to negotiate with the owners of Turtle Bay Hotel and Resort to possibly buy the property.