The state Senate yesterday discarded a resolution backing Gov. Linda Lingle on the state purchase of Turtle Bay Resort because several senators thought it went too far.

The Lingle administration had asked for the resolution to help show potential private investors that state lawmakers are fully behind her idea. The resolution would have only committed the Senate to a "good faith review" of the terms of any proposed deal, but several senators believed the title of the resolution implied a broader commitment.

"I don't think a majority of senators can commit to a deal they haven't seen," said state Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau).

A bill authorizing the state to purchase the 880-acre North Shore resort will likely come up for a vote within the next week. Several senators said the bill is a sign lawmakers are interested in the concept, so discarding the resolution, which would have been nonbinding, should not discourage potential investors.

A working group chosen by the governor is in talks with potential investors about the sale of the hotel, golf courses and other developed portions of the resort. The sale of that property would likely be used to help the state acquire and preserve undeveloped land such as Kawela Bay and Kahuku Point.

Linda Smith, the governor's senior policy adviser, said the administration would have liked to have the resolution but would not press lawmakers further. "I'm not sure we need it at this point," she said.

Several lawmakers, and the state's congressional delegation, have been critical of a lack of detail from the administration since Lingle made the surprise announcement about Turtle Bay in her State of the State speech in January.

Questions about cost, and how much, if any, new development might be allowed at the resort as part of the deal, have been among the concerns. Some lawmakers have also questioned whether the state would promise to waive environmental and other regulations to attract investors.

State Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), who has supported Lingle's idea, argued for the resolution yesterday both on the Senate floor and in private caucus. Hee said the resolution made clear the state would not own and operate the resort and that the intent is that no state money would be involved.

"In my opinion, the resolution was a restatement of the commitment," Hee said.

State Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai), opposed the resolution and chided majority Democrats for debating the issue mostly in private caucus.

"First of all, we don't have the money to do it, even though (the resolution) says there's no dollars. If there's no dollars, then the Legislature shouldn't be involved in it," Slom said. "Secondly, it was an unwarranted intrusion into private negotiations, first by the executive branch and then by the Legislature.

"And, third, really, that issue should be a county issue. Here's everybody from the governor on down running around yelling 'home rule.' And that's a county issue because it has to do with zoning."