Kahaluu condo project terminated

KAILUA-KONA — A plan to build a 306-unit condominium in Kahaluu died Wednesday after the developer withdrew its application for a needed permit.

Ocean Villas at Kahaluu Bay LLC filed its official withdrawal of a special management area permit application with the county’s Planning Department, bringing to an end all efforts to develop the 42-acre parcel.

The filing didn’t address the reason behind the move.

Ocean Villas spokesman Chris Lau said in a statement included in a Kamehameha Schools release that “Ocean Villas is very appreciative of the Hawaii County Planning Department’s consideration of the SMA application and the many courtesies extended to it by (Kamehameha Investment Corp.) during the pendency of the purchase agreement for Land Area 26.”

“We also thank members of the community who participated in the public hearings and wish them well on their future endeavors,” he added.

The development proposed building a 306-unit condominium facility on a piece of property owned by Kamehameha Investment Corp., a subsidiary of Kamehameha Schools, and zoned for resort, multifamily residential and single-family residential uses.

An environmental assessment was completed because most of the project site is within the Kahaluu Historic District, which is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

The project faced strong opposition from area residents who raised concerns about the impact development could have on historically and culturally significant sites as well as infrastructure and natural resources.

Maps of the proposed project area indicated specific preservation areas for historical sites and the environmental assessment ultimately concluded that the project “will not have significant environmental effects.”

The assessment indicated 58 sites consisting of 247 features, such as platform mounds, a burial crypt and other sites. While they were all deemed significant, only some, such as the Great Wall of Kuakini and any identified as burials or possible burials, were slated for preservation.

In April 2016, the Leeward Planning Commission granted Kahaluu resident and project opponent Simmy McMichael’s petition for a contested case.

During the contested case, McMichael questioned experts whose research was cited in the EA and also included hours of public statements from Kahaluu residents and others with connections to the area.

McMichael was ecstatic about the developer’s decision to withdraw the application.

McMichael hopes the land is preserved and restored as an agricultural landscape with an emphasis on educating people about traditional practices with a museum at the top of the property.

“I want it preserved for all of the keiki, the now and the future generations,” she said.

Ka‘eo Duarte, Kamehameha Schools vice president of community engagement and resources, said in a statement that KS respects the developer’s decision “and we will accept kuleana for the land.”

“We look forward to working with lineal descendants and other community stewards who have been active at that site for years to determine appropriate treatment for the wahi kupuna (place of ancestors) on the property.”

Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.com.