Campaign to preserve Turtle Bay

Denise Antolini presented for the working group's review a draft of a new brochure to support the "Campaign to Preserve Turtle Bay," which is a joint effort of the Trust for Public Land and the North Shore Community Land Trust, in partnership with the Ko'olauloa-North Shore Alliance, to raise five million dollars in private funding to support the preservation effort. Blake McElheny announced that a special reception featuring the auction of an original painting of Kawela Bay by renowned North Shore artist Bill Braden will be held at the Hawai'i Prince Hotel at 5:00 p.m. on August 22. To find out more about the art auction or to donate, visit www.tpl.org/turtlebay or contact: Keith Kraughto, Hawaiian Islands Program Development Director, The Trust for Public Land, 212 Merchant Street, Suite 320, Honolulu, HI 96813, (808) 524-8560, keith.kraughto@tpl.org

Technical Concerns

Speaking on behalf of DLNR director and committee chair Laura Thielen, Mitch Costino provided an interim report on the status of the City and County of Honolulu's 1986 Unilateral Agreement (UA) with the resort for the conditional zoning change. The committee's focus is on how the UA impacts the acquisition strategies being discussed by the Working Group. He stressed that the subcommittee believes that the continued and sustained operation of the Opana water system and the North Shore Wastewater Treatment facility, both located mauka of Kamehameha Highway, are important to any acquisition strategy currently under consideration and to the security of future resort owners as well as the existing users. Mr. Costino also reported on the various infrastructure and improvements that are required by the UA but have not yet been satisfied. Further details regarding the impact of those important issues will be addressed in subsequent committee reports to the working group.

Governor's Installation Dinner Remarks on Turtle Bay

Governor Lingle spoke to the North Shore Chamber of Commerce at their installation banquet on June 4 about the progress of the plan to protect Turtle Bay, and also signed into law two bills that strengthen the State's and community's ongoing collaborative efforts to preserve lands and natural resources for future generations. Watch the Governor's remarks on:

Friday, July 18 at 1:00 p.m. – 'Olelo Channel 54
Friday, July 25 at 4:00 p.m. – 'Olelo Channel 54
Thursday, July 31 at 6:00 p.m. – 'Olelo Channel 49
Friday, August 1 at 6:00 p.m. – 'Olelo Channel 49

Kuilima Resort won't have to defend expansion plans

The Land Use Commission yesterday deferred action that would have forced Kuilima Resort to defend its right to operate under a 1986 zone change that allows for the expansion of the Turtle Bay Resort.

At issue is a 263-acre parcel that has a championship golf course. The master plan for the area calls for public parks, a stable and condominiums, none of which have been built.

More at the Honolulu Advertiser