I'm sorry to hear of Kahuku Hospital's possible demise. I had two children there in the 1980s. One delivery required an emergency C-section (God bless Dr. Ben Branch). I might not have made it to another facility in time.
My story is only one among the thousands of people who needed medical attention immediately, not later with having to travel to Castle Medical Center or Wahiawa hospital. It's still only a two-lane road, one each way.
Everyone better think again about the possibility of five more hotels -- what's up with that? Come to Hawaii, but don't have an emergency on the North Shore, because it will take an hour to get to the hospital in an ambulance.
Momi Greene
Keahole-Kona, Hawaii
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Health care essential to Kahuku community
Having medical care is essential to the well-being and peace of mind for those of us who live in the Kahuku community. As employers with a total of 665 employees (85 percent of whom live here in the area) and 300,000 guests per year, access to healthcare is one of our top priorities.
Turtle Bay Resort and Kuilima Resort Co. have been working closely with those involved with the effort to save Kahuku Hospital and ensure continued emergency care in the community. It is a complex process and will take some time for us to determine the best steps forward. We, like many of the North Shore and Ko'olauloa community leaders and representatives, are extremely committed to finding a solution.
Unfortunately, in the opinion of some, this seems to have been reduced to a simple matter of healthcare versus resort development.
This couldn't be further from the truth; in reality, we are mutually dependent upon each other. Having adequate healthcare services for the community and the resort is essential, and building a strong economic driver helps to sustain healthcare services for our community.
All of the components to building a strong, flourishing community are important. At a critical time like this, we need everyone's kokua. We invite others to join with us to help find solutions for our community.
Nicola Jones, chief executive officer, Kuilima Resort Co.
Bob Boyle, managing director, Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle Bay Resort and Kuilima Resort Co. have been working closely with those involved with the effort to save Kahuku Hospital and ensure continued emergency care in the community. It is a complex process and will take some time for us to determine the best steps forward. We, like many of the North Shore and Ko'olauloa community leaders and representatives, are extremely committed to finding a solution.
Unfortunately, in the opinion of some, this seems to have been reduced to a simple matter of healthcare versus resort development.
This couldn't be further from the truth; in reality, we are mutually dependent upon each other. Having adequate healthcare services for the community and the resort is essential, and building a strong economic driver helps to sustain healthcare services for our community.
All of the components to building a strong, flourishing community are important. At a critical time like this, we need everyone's kokua. We invite others to join with us to help find solutions for our community.
Nicola Jones, chief executive officer, Kuilima Resort Co.
Bob Boyle, managing director, Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle Bay CEO to answer some questions
On Monday, Nov. 27 from 12 Noon - 1:00 p.m., Nicola Jones, the CEO of Kuilima Resort Company (the affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management which is planning the expansion of Turtle Bay) will be available live to answer your questions at the Honolulu Advertiser's "Hot Seat" Blog. We encourage everyone to ask questions and post comments regarding the hotel's proposed expansion:
http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com
http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com
Friday, November 24, 2006
Please, keep the country, country
We the good people of the North Shore have a history of resisting — and stopping — large development.
Just in my lifetime, we have stopped the quarry, the hotel at Pua'ena Point, the Obayashi development in Pupukea, the mall at Sharks Cove and the condos in Waimea Valley. We love where we live for a reason — it is the country.
Today the good people of the North Shore are resisting, but not stopping, the Turtle Bay development. Why?
What hold does Oaktree have over our elected representatives? Why are 20-year-old Environmental Impact Statements valid "with prejudice?" Why does it move forward against the people's will?
Garrett McNulty
Waialua
Just in my lifetime, we have stopped the quarry, the hotel at Pua'ena Point, the Obayashi development in Pupukea, the mall at Sharks Cove and the condos in Waimea Valley. We love where we live for a reason — it is the country.
Today the good people of the North Shore are resisting, but not stopping, the Turtle Bay development. Why?
What hold does Oaktree have over our elected representatives? Why are 20-year-old Environmental Impact Statements valid "with prejudice?" Why does it move forward against the people's will?
Garrett McNulty
Waialua
New hotels will only add to bad situation
I am utterly amazed at Circuit Judge Sabrina McKenna's decision that Kuilima Resort Co. does not have to do a new Environmental Impact Statement on the planned expansion of hotels on the North Shore of O'ahu. I have lived on the North Shore for 36 years and the traffic has become an enormous problem.
I invite McKenna, the City Council, mayor and anyone in a position of power to drive to the North Shore and experience the weekend traffic snarl from Hale'iwa to Turtle Bay. (Weekdays aren't much better.) Nowadays, there doesn't have to be a surf meet or a holiday to cause congestion. It is an everyday occurrence. Obviously, 3,500 more hotel rooms will increase the headaches. It will be intolerable.
We need to remember to respect the land and our residents and visitors as well.
Jan Olson
Hale'iwa
I invite McKenna, the City Council, mayor and anyone in a position of power to drive to the North Shore and experience the weekend traffic snarl from Hale'iwa to Turtle Bay. (Weekdays aren't much better.) Nowadays, there doesn't have to be a surf meet or a holiday to cause congestion. It is an everyday occurrence. Obviously, 3,500 more hotel rooms will increase the headaches. It will be intolerable.
We need to remember to respect the land and our residents and visitors as well.
Jan Olson
Hale'iwa
Country better than chaos in North Shore
The idea to expand Turtle Bay onto Kawela Bay and extend toward Kahuku is one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. The claim is that there will be more jobs available to residents and more business for store owners. But who are they really trying to please here?
Building more hotels will not only cause even more traffic and congestion, but it will mark the end of the North Shore, as we know it. The country will no longer live up to its name. The locals will no longer be locals, but rather outsiders who can afford higher rents.
All I am asking is to keep the North Shore true to its roots — a beautiful, laid back, humble stretch of coastline free of the everyday chaos caused by big buildings and thousands of people.
The citizens of Hawai'i are more important than the interests of far-off companies; most North Shore residents would much rather drive to town for work than to allow the building of these hotels and see the disappearance of one of the last places of genuine local life.
Rebecca Fonoimoana
Hale'iwa
Building more hotels will not only cause even more traffic and congestion, but it will mark the end of the North Shore, as we know it. The country will no longer live up to its name. The locals will no longer be locals, but rather outsiders who can afford higher rents.
All I am asking is to keep the North Shore true to its roots — a beautiful, laid back, humble stretch of coastline free of the everyday chaos caused by big buildings and thousands of people.
The citizens of Hawai'i are more important than the interests of far-off companies; most North Shore residents would much rather drive to town for work than to allow the building of these hotels and see the disappearance of one of the last places of genuine local life.
Rebecca Fonoimoana
Hale'iwa
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Hawaii firm tapped for Turtle Bay Resort Expansion web PR
As mentioned in a post a few days ago, the Turtle Bay Resort Expansion has a teaser site for their PR. It's unknown if this is for investors or for an upcoming foray into smoothing relations and informing the public.
However, in checking the status of the site www.kuilimainfo.com, I found it to be deactivated. It was registered Oct 19, 2006. It seems that the resort is not quite able or willing to share their plans with the public. Investigating it further, I found that local web development company - Firefly, based in Honolulu, is the registrar.
However, in checking the status of the site www.kuilimainfo.com, I found it to be deactivated. It was registered Oct 19, 2006. It seems that the resort is not quite able or willing to share their plans with the public. Investigating it further, I found that local web development company - Firefly, based in Honolulu, is the registrar.
Hospital closure: Crazy
To close the one and only hospital that serves the entire North Shore of O'ahu and much of the Windward coast is absurd. It's also foolish, dangerous and, if stupid is different than absurd, then it's stupid as well.
To build several new hotels and condos on the North Shore, an area that can ill afford any increase in traffic, is moronic and just seems to have the unmistakable stench of greed. To do both is simply beyond words!
Have the powers that be totally lost their minds and sense of perspective?
Wayne Pearce
Hale'iwa
To build several new hotels and condos on the North Shore, an area that can ill afford any increase in traffic, is moronic and just seems to have the unmistakable stench of greed. To do both is simply beyond words!
Have the powers that be totally lost their minds and sense of perspective?
Wayne Pearce
Hale'iwa
Friday, November 17, 2006
Big Resort, No Hospital: Where's Our Priority?
I am truly amazed how misplaced our priorities are. We may end up with a large resort-type development taking place on the North Shore near Turtle Bay, yet we are losing the only hospital on the North Shore.
The idea of building more, increasing the population and then taking away a basic service such as a nearby hospital just doesn't make sense!
How is it that there is support to develop the North Shore, but no money to keep emergency medical services close by?
If this development is allowed to proceed (against the many wishes of the North shore community) I would hope that Kuilima Resort Co. could find a way to financially assist Kahuku Hospital.
Dee Montgomery-Brock
Mililani
The idea of building more, increasing the population and then taking away a basic service such as a nearby hospital just doesn't make sense!
How is it that there is support to develop the North Shore, but no money to keep emergency medical services close by?
If this development is allowed to proceed (against the many wishes of the North shore community) I would hope that Kuilima Resort Co. could find a way to financially assist Kahuku Hospital.
Dee Montgomery-Brock
Mililani
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
DOC is Disappointed but the fight goes on!
From the Defend Oahu Coalition newsletter
You may have heard that the judge ruled against the Keep the North Shore Country in the lawsuit calling for a supplemental EIS for the Turtle Bay Expansion.
We are very disappointed, there are still many issues to address and we will continue our vigorous opposition to Oaktree’s proposed expansion!
We call on all concerned community members to join us on November 18th at 4:00 p.m. at Kahuku High School or Pupukea Rec Center. (two meetings going on at two places at the same time - chose the location most convenient to you! ) Come join a committee and help us win the fight:
http://defendoahucoalition.org/calendar.php
You may have heard that the judge ruled against the Keep the North Shore Country in the lawsuit calling for a supplemental EIS for the Turtle Bay Expansion.
We are very disappointed, there are still many issues to address and we will continue our vigorous opposition to Oaktree’s proposed expansion!
We call on all concerned community members to join us on November 18th at 4:00 p.m. at Kahuku High School or Pupukea Rec Center. (two meetings going on at two places at the same time - chose the location most convenient to you! ) Come join a committee and help us win the fight:
http://defendoahucoalition.org/calendar.php
Hum along and 'Keep the Country Country'
Hum Steve Miller's "Going to the Country" and sing:
People on the island know where to go,
Up to the country where life is real slow,
We like green space with some elbow room,
But now the natural coast may soon be doomed
Chorus: Hey ho, no more condos, save some green space for our keiki to know
Hey ho, do what's right, keep the country country is everyone's fight
From Kawela to Kahuku and down past Laie,
Condo commandos are stalking on their prey
They'll give us some parks at a few select spots
Where they'll pave paradise and put up parking lots
(Chorus)
Developer folks got one thing on their mind
That's make a lot of money and leave the islands behind
But then the kamaaina are stuck forever more
With condo-fed traffic jams and tourist shops galore
Pat Caldwell
Kailua
Kailua
Monday, November 13, 2006
Judge throws out Turtle Bay challenge
A Circuit Court judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit against Kuilima Resort Co. that would have required the developer to conduct a supplemental environmental impact statement to expand on the 880-acre Turtle Bay resort on the North Shore of Oahu.
More at Pacific Business NewsThursday, November 02, 2006
The North Shore is a very different place
By guest contributor Joni Shiraishi
The North Shore is a very different place than it was a few years back. The Haleiwa bypass road has brought with it a huge increase in North Shore visitors. Traffic lights have been added at the end of the bypass and by Pupukea Foodland. Where no lights were necessary in the fairly recent past, it is now difficult to cross the road during many hours of the day. Promotion of Laniakea's turtle population causes frequent traffic jams along Kam Highway. New toilet facilities at Sunset Beach have made that a major North Shore relief station for the passengers of an endless stream of tour busses. A little Ala Wai Canal has formed on the low land on the Mauka side of the parking lot. The movie industry is now fanatically promoting Hawaii where large corporate landowners are trying to unload vast acreage that was once zoned for agriculture. Worldwide promotions are bringing hordes of people to Hawaii's delicate ecology.
During last years flooding, the Ala Wai Canal had huge quantities of raw sewage dumped into it. The rains also caused countless sewage spills from overflowing cesspools throughout the island. This was not only repulsive, it created a very dangerous health hazard, islandwide. The effects on public health were not clear because they took many forms, as they do in third world countries where refuse, sewage and poor health are rampant.At a recent North Shore meeting in which representatives of Turtle Bay promoted their development plans to the public, they discussed their planned "wastewater management".
There are no sewage treatment facilities on the North Shore and inadequate cesspools are all that keeps the growing sewage in check. According to the Turtle Bay plans "wastewater" (sewage) is to be pumped uphill into reservoirs above the new developments. The "wastewater" will require electric pumps to keep the system operational. Most wastewater" systems use gravity to their advantage. Otherwise they are subject to the mechanical and electrical whims of the pumping system. Sunday's earthquake and subsequent power outage caused sewage to be spilled into Lake Wilson, Kailua and Sand Island facilities. Because they use gravity to their advantage they only spilled several hundred thousand gallons of sewage.
The Turtle Bay development plans will initially allow roughly half of the units to be designated condominiums. These residents will seek all the advantages of modern suburbia. They'll want nearby Costcos, Walmarts, McDonalds, 7-elevens, car dealerships, etc., etc. and they will dramatically change the face of what we once called "Country". Surfing was once the main focus of the North Shore. Now it appears to be Real Estate speculation. I guess there are no serious North Shore surfers running for public office, are there? At least if such candidates existed, there might still be a glimmer of hope for the North Shore's real value.
North Shore surfing spots are unique and fragile ecosystems in which value is inversely proportionate to population. Crowds curtail movements that are necessary for surfing's all important positioning. They make already dangerous surfing conditions ridiculously dangerous. More clueless people mean many more problems. Promotions have become a major detriment to the sport and art of surfing on the North Shore. Surfing is what has made this location desireable and unique. Ruin that and this becomes just another overcrowded Honolulu suburb.
The North Shore is a very different place than it was a few years back. The Haleiwa bypass road has brought with it a huge increase in North Shore visitors. Traffic lights have been added at the end of the bypass and by Pupukea Foodland. Where no lights were necessary in the fairly recent past, it is now difficult to cross the road during many hours of the day. Promotion of Laniakea's turtle population causes frequent traffic jams along Kam Highway. New toilet facilities at Sunset Beach have made that a major North Shore relief station for the passengers of an endless stream of tour busses. A little Ala Wai Canal has formed on the low land on the Mauka side of the parking lot. The movie industry is now fanatically promoting Hawaii where large corporate landowners are trying to unload vast acreage that was once zoned for agriculture. Worldwide promotions are bringing hordes of people to Hawaii's delicate ecology.
During last years flooding, the Ala Wai Canal had huge quantities of raw sewage dumped into it. The rains also caused countless sewage spills from overflowing cesspools throughout the island. This was not only repulsive, it created a very dangerous health hazard, islandwide. The effects on public health were not clear because they took many forms, as they do in third world countries where refuse, sewage and poor health are rampant.At a recent North Shore meeting in which representatives of Turtle Bay promoted their development plans to the public, they discussed their planned "wastewater management".
There are no sewage treatment facilities on the North Shore and inadequate cesspools are all that keeps the growing sewage in check. According to the Turtle Bay plans "wastewater" (sewage) is to be pumped uphill into reservoirs above the new developments. The "wastewater" will require electric pumps to keep the system operational. Most wastewater" systems use gravity to their advantage. Otherwise they are subject to the mechanical and electrical whims of the pumping system. Sunday's earthquake and subsequent power outage caused sewage to be spilled into Lake Wilson, Kailua and Sand Island facilities. Because they use gravity to their advantage they only spilled several hundred thousand gallons of sewage.
The Turtle Bay development plans will initially allow roughly half of the units to be designated condominiums. These residents will seek all the advantages of modern suburbia. They'll want nearby Costcos, Walmarts, McDonalds, 7-elevens, car dealerships, etc., etc. and they will dramatically change the face of what we once called "Country". Surfing was once the main focus of the North Shore. Now it appears to be Real Estate speculation. I guess there are no serious North Shore surfers running for public office, are there? At least if such candidates existed, there might still be a glimmer of hope for the North Shore's real value.
North Shore surfing spots are unique and fragile ecosystems in which value is inversely proportionate to population. Crowds curtail movements that are necessary for surfing's all important positioning. They make already dangerous surfing conditions ridiculously dangerous. More clueless people mean many more problems. Promotions have become a major detriment to the sport and art of surfing on the North Shore. Surfing is what has made this location desireable and unique. Ruin that and this becomes just another overcrowded Honolulu suburb.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Community must demand open discussion on project
Your recent article on the expansion of the Turtle Bay Resort (Oct. 13) suggests that the Kahuku community is divided on the issue, when it is clear the only support for the project is coming from a handful of individuals — most of whom were personally involved with the agreement 20 years ago.
The board of the Kahuku Community Association voted to endorse this plan without prior community discussion. Several members of the board are employed by either Turtle Bay or Kuilima Resort Co., and there is no indication these board members recused themselves from deliberations or the vote.
There has been overwhelming community demand for input at every Kahuku Community Association meeting since the board endorsed the development, but the board has refused to put the item on the agenda.
As a small business owner, homeowner and community member, I am disheartened that my community board members and elected city officials are turning a deaf ear to our concerns, and are ignoring the pleas of the community to allow open discussion on this issue.
I understand that 20 years ago the prevailing concern was for jobs for the workers of the recently closed sugar mill. But, that is not the Kahuku of today. My Kahuku neighbors are worried about traffic, affordability and availability of housing, the destruction of our countryside and loss of the local feel of this area.
Before it's too late, we need to push our officials to get involved and take the steps necessary to ensure that any development abide by standing requirements to protect the environment and preserve our natural resources.
Can we afford to lose the North Shore? Ask your friends and neighbors whether they would rather have preservation of the North Shore, its beaches and landscape, or a tidy profit for Mainland developers.
Does our entire island have to be for sale to the highest bidder?
Virginia Abshier, MD
Kahuku
The board of the Kahuku Community Association voted to endorse this plan without prior community discussion. Several members of the board are employed by either Turtle Bay or Kuilima Resort Co., and there is no indication these board members recused themselves from deliberations or the vote.
There has been overwhelming community demand for input at every Kahuku Community Association meeting since the board endorsed the development, but the board has refused to put the item on the agenda.
As a small business owner, homeowner and community member, I am disheartened that my community board members and elected city officials are turning a deaf ear to our concerns, and are ignoring the pleas of the community to allow open discussion on this issue.
I understand that 20 years ago the prevailing concern was for jobs for the workers of the recently closed sugar mill. But, that is not the Kahuku of today. My Kahuku neighbors are worried about traffic, affordability and availability of housing, the destruction of our countryside and loss of the local feel of this area.
Before it's too late, we need to push our officials to get involved and take the steps necessary to ensure that any development abide by standing requirements to protect the environment and preserve our natural resources.
Can we afford to lose the North Shore? Ask your friends and neighbors whether they would rather have preservation of the North Shore, its beaches and landscape, or a tidy profit for Mainland developers.
Does our entire island have to be for sale to the highest bidder?
Virginia Abshier, MD
Kahuku
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