DOC Rally at Honolulu Hale/City Hall

Defend Oahu Coalition has organized a rally to occur in front of Honolulu Hale/City Hall (530 South King Street) on Thursday February 22, 2007 starting from 9 am. They are calling upon the Mayor (Mufi Hanneman) to listen to the community and substantial opposition to the Turtle Bay Resort expansion plans. They are calling upon the Mayor to act.

The Turtle Bay Resort expansion plans were announced early last year among overwhelming opposition. Still, the parent company Oaktree Capital Management has pressed on with plans.
Oaktree is a $30 billion investment company. Oaktree's investment specialty is in markets where information for competitors is limited, sometimes known as "inefficient" markets. Such focus has been described by Business Week magazine as a vulture fund.

The Defend Oahu Coalition is a diverse group of community residents, environmentalists, activists and religious leaders all working together towards one goal: protecting communities on Oahu from the dangerous effects of large scale development. They believe that the beautiful North Shore is for all Oahu residents as well as visitors, and is committed to ensuring that it will continue to be a resource for generations to come.

Senate bill to be heard affecting Turtle Bay Resort expansion

Hawaii State Senator Jill Tokuda has reported that the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs will be hearing Senate Bill 851 (relating to the shoreline setback and cultural assessment for the TBR development site) at its meeting on Wednesday, February 21 at 2:45 p.m. in room 414 of the Hawaii State Capitol.

Testimony on behalf of residents, community organizations, and concerned citizens is welcomed. You can submit by:

1. email testimony@capitol.gov
2. dropping off testimony with the committee clerk, Room 407, State Capitol
3. faxing (up to 5 pages) to the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (neighbor islands).

Testimony from visitors is also welcome! Tell our legislators why you come to O'ahu.

SB 851 "Requires a new historic and cultural assessment and a minimum shoreline setback of seven hundred fifty feet for any development makai of Kamehameha highway between Kawela stream and Marconi road in the Koolauloa district on Oahu."

Hawaii State Senator Russell Kokubu, chair of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs introduced SB 851.

Hawaii State Senators who represent the area of concern are:

Senator Russell S. Kokubun, Chair
Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs
Phone 808-586-6760; Fax 808-586-6689
E-mail senkokubun@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Jill N. Tokuda, Vice Chair
Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs
Phone 808-587-7215; Fax 808-587-7220
E-mail sentokuda@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Clayton Hee
Phone 808-586-7330; Fax 808-586-7334
E-mail senhee@Capitol.hawaii.gov

You can monitor the bill status here: SB 851