The general manager of the Turtle Bay Resort said a proposal by the state to purchase the North Shore resort has already "severely impacted" business and has placed the "primary economic engine on the North Shore in a potentially perilous position."

Those were the comments of Bob Boyle, vice president and general manager of Turtle Bay Resort, after he was presented with the "CEO Sales Award" by Benchmark Hospitality International, which manages the resort. Benchmark, which operates 30 hotels, resorts and conference centers, has managed Turtle Bay since 2001 for resort owner Kuilima Resort Co.

Boyle was critical of a plan that calls for the state to buy the 880-acre resort and surrounding area and turn the hotel over to a private entity and preserve the remaining land. Gov. Linda Lingle made the surprising announcement in her Jan. 22 State of the State address.

Although the acquisition is still far from being realized, the announcement alone has had a negative impact on the resort's operations, Boyle said. He said a major travel wholesaler has removed Turtle Bay Resort from its Web site, which Boyle said represents a potential loss of $500,000 in room revenue this year, and other travel agents and customers are monitoring the fate of the hotel.

He added that the stability of the hotel puts in question the 790 people who are employed by the resort, as well as the North Shore economy that relies on the hotel.

"We hope that the initial political 'glow' generated by this announcement will be mitigated by reasoned conversations that will keep in mind what is at stake among those who depend on the resort for a living and for the economic vitality we bring to our community on the North Shore," Boyle said.