North Shore development: Keep the discussion on civil level

Honolulu Advertiser
After the recent heavy rains, anyone on a peaceful walk up to the falls in Waimea Valley on O'ahu (no more of those ghastly buses) could witness a spectacular cascade of crystal-clear water into the pool below.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is taking title to most of this ancient ahupua'a, with more than a little irony since a Hawaiian entity is having to purchase land that Hawaiians lived on and cultivated for generations.

The most recent North Shore brouhaha over the expansion at Turtle Bay is generating some, though not all, of the usual divisions among residents: comments about the rich fighting the super-rich, local vs. haole transplant, jobs vs. lifestyle, etc. The North Shore "gentrification" that has occurred resulted from a community in decline, primarily due to the closure of the Kahuku Sugar Mill in 1971.

What replaced it and transformed this community is the surfing lifestyle industry. This industry and the people who promoted it have produced the major economic revitalization of the area, centered in Hale'iwa.

The recreational and later professional surfers who moved here were rarely rich, but decidedly middle class and usually from a more urban area. I would argue that most of the evident gentrification of the area was created through sweat equity and community involvement.

When the Ke Ala Pupukea bike path was built, the North Shore Outdoor Circle, with an entirely volunteer force, worked tirelessly to landscape the entire length, an ongoing effort. Arguably, urban transplants are more aware of the consequences of growth that outstrips infrastructure and the concomitant loss of quality of life.

The North Shore has become a must-visit part of the O'ahu tourist industry. Surf contests, Waimea Bay and turtle viewing have all had an exponential impact on the public infrastructure. Few public improvements have been funded in the last few decades.

The city is considering approvals for the Turtle Bay Resort that would immediately permit 4,500 condo and hotel units to be built just five minutes from Sunset Beach. Because of the significant changes to the infrastructure, state statutes require that a supplemental environmental impact statement be produced.

This would allow the community to fairly evaluate the proposal and contribute to the decision-making using current data and disclosures.

Here at the end of the Ko'olau Mountains, our keiki are growing up with trade winds that have largely managed to blow racism out to sea. Each generation is more interracial than the last. Kupuna or keiki, Kahuku or Kaunala, we all have a voice. Let's respect each other. Those who attempt to marginalize people using outdated prejudices of any ilk only discredit themselves.

Ken Newfield
Pupukea