Some 900 new timeshares are expected to be popping up at the Waikoloa Resort starting within five years, following County Council votes Wednesday approving rezoning that will do away with nine holes of golf and add affordable housing for workers.
The council approved two bills on final reading paving the way for the project on 6-3 votes, with North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba, Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas and South Kona/Ka‘u Councilwoman Maile David, the council chair, voting no.
Kumu Hou at Waikoloa would feature 1,164 timeshare units and 25 single-family home lots on 183 acres currently part of the 18-hole Kings’ Course in Waikoloa Beach Resort, under plans approved in December by the Leeward Planning Commission. The developer, Waikoloa Land Co., representing landowners Waikoloa Development Co. and Hilton Kingsland 1 LLC, would keep the 18-hole Beach Course in operation and nine holes at King’s Course but would no longer be required to build two other golf curse that were in the original plans.
Council members praised the developers and their consultant, Sidney Fuke, for working with the council and the community to address their concerns. But Inaba, whose district includes the area in question, warned the project is going to being even more traffic to congest roads.
The council rejected his move to add more affordable housing commitments to the mix.
“Our amendment tried to do good for the community who lives here and not just visiting,” Inaba said.
But Kohala Councilman Tim Richards, whose district butts up to the project, likened the council’s approach to working with the developer and getting certain concessions to slowly turning a battleship around. The council advanced a number of amendments as the bills progressed through the process.
“It’s got to be incremental,” Richards said.
He praised the character and patience of the developers for helping make the project more palatable.
“I trust them and I think they’ll be good for their word,” Richards said.
Developers seemed satisfied with the exercise as well.
“We’re thankful for the County Council, Leeward Planning Commission and the community’s diligent review, collaboration and faith in us to continue stewarding Waikoloa, continuing the work the Waikoloa Land Company has led for more than 40 years,” Scott Head, vice president of resort operations at Waikoloa Land Company, said in a statement.
The resort currently comprises 1,604 visitor units and 1,810 residential units, including timeshares, multifamily condominiums and single-family home lots. The project holds entitlements from previous county actions for 6,365 units, including 3,000 visitor units and 3,365 residential units. Developers anticipate build-out would occur in 2043 and create more than 1,000 permanent jobs while adding an estimated $10 million more in taxes for the county per year.
Developers also sweetened the pot by pledging to put a percentage of gross sales from the first time sale of any residential unit or time share to the Waikoloa Foundation for community benefit.
“The endowment created by Kumu Hou will ensure we continue supporting and uplifting local residents, families and our keiki through meaningful community initiatives that address their unique needs,” Cary Boeddeker, president of the Waikoloa Foundation, said in a statement.