Resort expansion will destroy Oahu

I have heard the North Shore residents' concerns about the effect the Turtle Bay Resort expansion project will have on the environment, traffic, infrastructure and quality of life. I have participated in the sign-waving and presentation of 5,000 signatures on petitions to review, amend or modify the 1986 Special Management Area Permit for the project. Even though I do not live on the North Shore, I believe all of our communities on Oahu are interconnected and that this development will drastically affect our neighborhoods.

The City and County of Honolulu must recognize that we live on an island with finite land where proper land use planning and growth management are essential. The county is entrusted with protection of our watersheds, wetlands, shoreline and open spaces, as well as enforcement of our laws when developers come before it, but it has failed miserably in its duty to be a watchdog for the public. I have grave concerns that there is a lack of oversight by the Department of Planning and Permitting if it allows Turtle Bay Resort to build five new hotels with 3,500 more condo, timeshare and hotel units on Kawela Bay based on a 20-year-old agreement and land use permit.

Is the mayor's vision to pave over all that we love and ruin our quality of life? Or does he have a vision of conservation and possess the leadership necessary to listen to the people?

Jeannine Johnson
Honolulu