HAWAI'I KAI — The Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board last night voted to reaffirm its stance against development in the Ka Iwi area, as residents again voiced opposition to a plan to build vacation cabins.

The board voted 13-0 at the meeting at Haha'ione Elementary School.

The board's action is an expression of community sentiment but carries no regulatory power. Develop QRM LLC still needs approvals from the city Department of Planning and Permitting before it can build.

State lawmakers have also introduced bills to preserve the area through rezoning or land acquisition.

QRM wants to build 180 cabins on two parcels: one in a valley behind the Hawai'i Kai Golf Course and on land across from the entrance to the Makapu'u Lighthouse trail.

On Jan. 8, QRM offered to scale back its plan to build on 181 acres and build on only the 83-acre parcel, called Manu'uwai, near the golf course.

About 300 people attended the board meeting and speaker after speaker rejected the project and the scaled-back proposal.

Area resident Charlotte White reminded people that the issue wasn't limited to Hawai'i Kai, but was a statewide issue.

"I think what we all want to say in unison is we don't want this project," White said. "It's not cabins. It's a resort and we don't want it. Let's go on record one time. The answer is no."

The room responded with a loud "no" and a round of applause.

Others, like Paul Paaaina, commented about saving a place where they grew up, fishing, picking limu and playing. Such a development would take away one of the last open shorelines on O'ahu, said Paaaina, who came from Nanakuli to testify.

"There's gotta come a time to say enough is enough," he said.

Gregg Stueber said he, too, grew up in the community and has seen many changes, some good, some not. What has remained unchanged is the coastline, Stueber said.

"Some of these things need to stay the same," he said.

William McCorriston, attorney for the developer, spoke before the board voted and said he was pretty sure about the outcome and he admonished the panel for not being realistic in seeking a solution.

"I understand this is an emotional issue with the community," McCorriston said. "And I have a fair understanding of what the vote will be here tonight but you also should be realistic ... You're not going to get something for nothing. If you really want to work toward solutions, you can't just say no."

State Rep. Gene Ward, R-17th (Kalama Valley, Queen's Gate, Hawai'i Kai), who has drafted bills to stop the project from moving forward, said the board's vote reaffirmed the resolve in the community.

"The neighborhood board rejected the resort (developer's effort to) get a toe hold in the community," Ward said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.