The lines are being drawn in the sand at Turtle Bay, Neal Miyake photo
On March 17, 2007, about 200 people representing various local groups gathered in a peaceful demonstration at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. The loose coalition was unified by the collective concern for an upcoming development by Kuilima Resort Company, an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management, LLC (a self-proclaimed "vulture capital" company).
The red shirts were once again hitting the streets, Neal Miyake photo
The magnitude of the project is daunting. Five new hotels are planned around the old Turtle Bay Resort area with 3,500 new units. The construction will extend from Kawela Bay to the southwest up to Kahuku Point. To put the size into perspective, the current hotel complex, concentrated mostly around Turtle Bay, has *only* 500 units.
From Kahuku Point (bottom left) to Kawela Bay (top right)--the proposed
construction area is immense, Defend Oahu Coalition photo
The focus of the demonstration was to express concerns that construction would disinter and desecrate ancient Hawaiian burial grounds. Vicky Holt-Takamine of the `Ilio`ulaokalani Coalition described the project as being akin to building condos and hotels at Punchbowl Memorial Cemetery. "Just because there aren't any boundaries doesn't mean the land isn't sacred," she said. " Iwi kupuna (ancestral remains) are prevalent in the soft sand dunes all over the area. I'd like to educate people that we are just stewards of the land for the time that we live here."
Speaking at the rally with "Aunty Vicky" was local resident Gil Riviere of Keep the North Shore Country. Besides the iwi kupuna, Riviere brought up other critical environmental and sociological issues that should be studied further.
Vicky Holt-Takamine explains the Ilio Coalition's position while Gil Riviere
stands by her side to Keep the North Shore Country, Neal Miyake photo
"The roadways just aren't adequate for the scope of the project," stated Riviere. "An example is that in 2005, a traffic survey at Chun's Reef on a Saturday measured around 1,600 cars passing through every hour. Kuilima is talking about adding about 2000 cars per hour to that already intolerable volume."
"There are also a lot of job vacancies in the current resort, and they are talking about possibly adding 3,000 more jobs. There's a chronic housing shortage here on the North Shore and there's essentially no affordable housing anymore. So where are these people going to live and come from? There really are some serious concerns that must be reconsidered before things move forward, best addressed through a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS)."
The HSBA crew show their support, Neal Miyake photo
The Hawaii State Bodysurfing Association (
HSBA) also supports protection of
iwi kupuna and is pushing a review of the SEIS. "HSBA believes the North Shore should be left country and not turned into another Waikiki," said HSBA president Al Balderama. "Why are they trying to turn our paradise into a parking lot? And where are all the additional workers going to come from?"
Even the Hui o He'e Nalu was out en force, providing strong moral help. "We're here to support protection of the North Shore too," said Jerry Teves.
Black shorts with red shirts, Neal Miyake photo
Other groups supporting the cause and part of the coalition include: Na Lei Nani O Waialua, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Defend Oahu Coalition, Sierra Club, and Hawaii's 1000 Friends.
From the perspective of the local waveriding community, the Surfrider Foundation's Oahu Chapter expressed deep concerns for the environment. Said Scott Werny, "The surrounding land and ocean environments are irreplaceable treasures; they are far too fragile to endanger without a full, thorough, and up-to-date analysis. Kuilima Resort Company should act carefully and responsibly as stewards of the land and reassess environmental concerns; not just rely on an EIS that is over 20 years old."
The Defend Oahu Coalition talks to the media at the rally, Neal Miyake photo
Currently, surfing contests, reports of big waves, and even turtle sightings often cause massive traffic jams on the North Shore. The already overtaxed road system is the most obvious infrastructure challenge. However, water and sewage services may also require extensive improvements. Inevitably, some of the burden may fall on Hawaii taxpayers.
Other key issues that are coming under scrutiny include property setback, beach access, and concerns for wildlife.
Unfortunately, the land use permit approved by the City Council back in 1986 was a "unilateral agreement" with no expiration. That is why Kuilima/Oaktree wants to proceed with a 22-year old EIS.
Although the City Department of Planning and Permitting granted tentative approval of Kuilima Resort Co.'s subdivision application, and despite Circuit Judge Sabrina McKenna's dismissal of a lawsuit in which the coalition had asked for a supplemental EIS on the plan, the coalition remains upbeat. The lawsuit dismissal is currently under appeal, and there is a belief by the coalition that the appellate judges may either throw the case back to lower court, or possibly flat-out rule in favor of conducting the SEIS.
There are always two sides to a story. As a counterpoint, Kuilima Resort Company has established an informational website that provides their perspective on the situation.
The North Shore is considered a rural gem on the island. The local residents know this and have always actively tried to curtail overdevelopment. For instance, the Obayashi project was avoided (literally bought out) after long, drawn-out grassroots fight. The Haleiwa bypass road was initially met with strong resistance by both businesses and residents alike. Heck, even the Haleiwa McDonald's drive-thru window was heavily lobbied against (though eventually allowed). If executed, this Turtle Bay expansion project will have much greater ramifications than all the others combined.
"The most important point to remember," said Riviere, "is that this is far from over. Kuilima has a lot of money and resources. However, they also have a $400M loan that has already been refinanced once, and they have a deadline to complete their subdivision plans by September 29. Time is not on their side and we are growing stronger every day."
Let's not forget that there actually are some decent surf spots in the area.
Mike Stewart boosting at Turtle Bay, the surf break. Neal Miyake photo]
Stay stoked!
