North Shore project will strain resources

Watching the Live Earth concerts recently, I was reminded of our interconnectedness. Each of us has an impact on the global climate crisis.

O'ahu is saturated with cars. The proposed Turtle Bay expansion will not only strain roads beyond their limits, but will add to Hawai'i's contribution to the climate crisis by placing further demands on water, electricity and waste disposal resources. How much more can O'ahu take?

Just as importantly, a development such as this will cause the loss of one of the most pristine, undeveloped and beautiful places in the world. Once it is lost, it will be lost forever. The coastline between Turtle Bay and Kahuku Point is equal in beauty to Ka'ena and Ka'iwi.

I recently answered a telephone survey for Hawai'i 2050, created by the Legislature to "establish a mechanism to ensure that our unique islands and way of life are maintained and sustained for current and future generations to enjoy."

While this is a noble effort, in reality there is no 2050. There is only the present, and the time to create a sustainable environment is now.

Building 3,500 more resort units on the North Shore would be an act of destruction, the exact opposite of sustainability.
Michael Zucker
Palolo

Defend Oahu Coalition comments on Kuilima Resort proposals

DOC member and long-time North Shore resident, Choon James said, "Oaktree keeps saying their massive development will provide needed jobs for North Shore residents. This is pure corporate spin because Turtle Bay has perennially been unable to fill all its existing job vacancies. Another five hotels and more gated condos and timeshares for the rich would require importing workers from elsewhere. This will inevitably trigger the "multiplier effect" on our communities. Where would these additional workers live? Could the hundreds of additional workers make the long daily commute from other parts of Oahu on our already-crowded narrow two-lane roads? Currently, most upper-level Turtle Bay Hotel management jobs are held by out-of-state personnel, including from England." James further noted, "This battle between David -- local residents -- against the Goliath of rich developers regularly plays out all over our islands. Locals do not want to see these islands turned into a playground for the rich. Our elder statesman, Governor George Ariyoshi eloquently warned that we must plan and not skip from one project to another. Otherwise, we will incrementally lose what we hold dear and precious about Hawai`i." James also echoed the need for Oaktree's local management to exercise needed corporate conscience and begin a meaningful dialog with the community. "If ever there was a time for an international corporation to talk story and for Hawaii's elected and appointed County and State officials and the large land-owning Hawai`i trusts to all come to the table to plan and protect what is left of Hawai`i, that time is now. Grassroots activism and growing frustration with our public officials caused by this latest round of run-a-way development escalate in the islands. If I were an elected official, I would take note of this growing public angst."

DOC member Mark Cunningham, a respected waterman and Kawela Bay resident said, "Many of our DOC members and supporters are veterans of previous battles to protect the North Shore from over-development: acquiring the Pupukea/Paumalu bluff, saving Waimea Valley, and defeating the Shark's Cove Mall development. But we're growing tired of having to continually fend off such unrealistic projects and are going to start demanding more accountability from our elected officials. People have property rights of course, but these large-scale development proposals that threaten the very identity of the North Shore should never be accepted and the community will continue to rally against them.

Members of the Defend Oahu Coalition have tried repeatedly without success to meet with Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and to get the Mayor's administration to require the developer to produce a supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) for Turtle Bay's now 20+-year old permits. On May 19, 2006, the non-profit Keep The North Shore Country was joined by the Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter in a lawsuit asking that Kuilima Resort be required to perform a supplemental environmental impact statement. The lawsuit also seeks an injunction against further ground work or construction at the resort until a supplemental EIS is completed. This lawsuit was later consolidated with a similar suit brought by Unite Here Local 5, the hotel workers' union. When the Union settled their labor dispute with Oaktree, they agreed to drop their suit. On November 13, 2006, Judge Sabrina McKenna heard Motions for Summary Judgment and ruled in favor of Kuilima Resort Company. A Notice of Appeal was filed on January 8, 2007. Before the briefs were submitted, a technical error was noted in the court paperwork: the Union's case was still referenced as active, even though they had withdrawn. Additional paperwork was filed by the Union's attorney to clarify that they are no longer party to this lawsuit and when that was recorded, the clock began anew for filing an appeal. As of this date, the legal challenge is still very much alive and it would not be affected by any changes in ownership at Kuilima. DOC President Carol Philips said, "The standards have changed dramatically since the original EIS was conducted due to improved technology and measuring techniques. Considering the potential traffic impact alone, it's outrageous that the city would not want a supplemental EIS. Add to this the very real impact of the additional sewage and wastewater disposal on our ocean and reefs, the iwi issue, the lack of affordable housing and all the rest, it's disturbing that our elected and appointed officials don't use their power to require an updated EIS."

The Defend Oahu Coalition is not the only Oahu group fighting this latest round of rapacious over-development, seemingly being empowered by uncaring politicians and appointed officials. In fact, there are over a dozen small groups now organizing to grow the county-wide effort to prevent inappropriate over-development. Now meeting regularly, the as-yet-unnamed group is working to focus their common interests in order to more effectively challenge large corporate development interests and Oahu's elected and appointed officials who continue to sell out to them. During the second meeting of the group -- coincidentally also on Friday, July 13th -- in Honolulu, one native Hawaiian participant put it this way; "Why aren't our officials listening to us? Why are they ignoring the obvious and facilitating all of this inappropriate development to the detriment of our residents?" Carol Philips observed, "Now that's the real question."

Starwood decides not to join in Turtle Bay project

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has pulled out of negotiations to develop up to five new hotels and time shares at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu.

The decision not to participate in the project with resort owner Kuilima Resort Co. was made by Starwood executives on Tuesday, according to several people familiar with the negotiations.

More at Pacific Business News, Honolulu Advertiser, KHNL

"The good news here is we're talking about a $350 million valuation of the property, which could mean a much smaller development than originally planned," Eric Gill, secretary and treasurer of Unite Here Local 5, the union that represents workers at Turtle Bay said.

Honolulu Star Bulletin

All can unite in campaign to save Hawaii

By Kevan Blanche

Warm tropical waters, swaying palms, long stretches of fine sandy beach — it is the image of Hawai'i the world over — the source of its universal appeal, as well as the seed of its own demise. Like any of the world's true geographic gems, in modern times Hawai'i has always worked to strike a balance between man and nature — between development and preservation.

More at Honolulu Advertiser

‘Ilio’ulakalani Coalition calls for resignation

‘Ilio’ulakalani Coalition, a statewide grassroots organization comprised of cultural practitioners who advocate for the perpetuation of our culture and the preservation of our sacred lands and the protection of our ‘iwi kupuna is calling for the immediate resignation of Mr. Henry Eng as Director of Permit & Planning for the City & County of Honolulu and a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet.

In a recent news article dated June 27, 2007, Mr. Eng was quoted as follows:
Eng said the issue of Hawaiian burial sites on the property likely would not affect the decision on the infrastructure permit. "If this (the burial site issue) needs to be addressed, it probably would get addressed later on," Eng said.

Mr. Eng’s remarks reflect blatant disrespect for all burial sites. No permit should be issued before the concern of the impact a development will have on a burial site is fully addressed. An infrastructure permit gives a green light for pile driving, grading and clearing of a site. It is usually at this point that burials are discovered and then declared inadvertent finds.

We demand a full archaeological survey of all sites before any permit is issued.
We demand that the impact of development on burial sites be addressed before issuing any kind of permit is approved.

The native Hawaiian community will not stand by and allow this kind of mentality to exist in the City and County of Honolulu’s administration or any other administration. As native Hawaiians we will not stand by and allow entities such as the Department of Permit & Planning to disregard the importance of our ‘iwi kupuna and favor development that is not right. As native Hawaiians we will do whatever is necessary to protect the ‘iwi kupuna from any kind of development that would infringe upon the sacredness of our culture.
Elected officials must be put on notice that this kind of behavior and mentality will not be tolerated or accepted by native Hawaiians. The time has come for all native Hawaiians to speak out and not allow individuals like Mr. Eng to be in positions of authority and have no regard for the host culture of these islands.

A press conference has been scheduled at Honolulu Hale on Thursday, July 5th at 10:00am. We invite everyone to attend the press conference and stand in solidarity for the resignation of Mr. Eng.

Fourth of July Rally to Keep the Country COUNTRY!

Defend Oahu Coalition wants YOU for a Fourth of July Rally to Keep the Country COUNTRY!

Wednesday, July 4, 2007
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Practice your right to free speech with a good old-fashioned Sign Waving by Land and by Sea to protest the Turtle Bay/Oaktree hotel expansion plan!

Kamehameha Highway - in front of Turtle Bay Resort
or
Ocean Side of the resort – on your boat, outrigger, surfboard, paddleboard, jet ski or stand up board!

Church pressures Oaktree

The owner of Turtle Bay also manages funds for the United Methodist Church

By Kristen Consillio
kconsillio@starbulletin.com

The pension and benefits arm of the United Methodist Church is pressuring the owner of Turtle Bay Resort to resolve its dispute with opponents of the resort's planned expansion.

Owner Oaktree Capital Management LP, which manages some of the $15 billion in assets of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church, has come under fire after Hawaii parishioners voiced concerns about whether the company is adhering to the church's strict social principles that deal with fairness, equity and the environment.

More at Honolulu Star Bulletin