AGREEMENT REACHED TO PLACE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OVER LANDS OWNED BY TURTLE BAY RESORT

News Release from Office of the Governor April 17, 2014 (Scroll to the bottom to get to the parts Abercrombie left out of his news release.)

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced an agreement has been reached between the State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, The Trust for Public Land, and Turtle Bay Resort (TBR) to establish a conservation easement on 665.8 acres of land at Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku. Portions of this land had previously been planned for development but will now be protected forever from future development.

“As I said in my State of the State Address this year, ‘there are times for planning, and there are times for acting; now is the time to preserve open spaces at Turtle Bay,’” Gov. Abercrombie said. “This historic agreement is the result of public and private interests joining together to benefit the people of Hawaii and our visitors. This protects the heritage and rural character of the North Shore to ‘Keep the Country Country.’ ”

State Sen. Clayton Hee said: “The shoreline from Kahuku Point to Kawela Bay represents one of the most beautiful and pristine areas on all of Oahu. As elected leaders, we have a profound and solemn duty and responsibility to preserve and protect this shoreline for future generations just as our ancestors did before us.”

The conservation easement will be placed upon the land and will permanently limit use of the land in order to protect the ecological, recreational and open space characteristics of Oahu’s North Shore. TBR will continue to own, use and hold title to the land, but it and future owners of the land will be bound by the restrictions. The easement will protect, and in many cases, allow restoration of critical marine and land ecosystems and Hawaiian cultural resources. It will foster and enable recreational and educational uses of the land.

The total value of this agreement is $48.5 million; $40 million will be provided by the state, $5 million will be provided by the city, and $3.5 million will be provided by The Trust for Public Land. The amounts of money provided by the state and the city are subject to appropriation and release of the funds. Gov. Abercrombie has previously asked for and encourages the Legislature to appropriate $40 million in general obligation bonds. The City Council has previously appropriated $5 million for this matter. TPL will be obtaining funds from various sources. The final documents and details of the agreement are to be worked out between the parties.

“We are excited to be a part of the stewardship to protect these natural resources and to secure forever the public’s access to that entire shoreline from Kawela Bay to Kahuku Point,” said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “We want to thank the state for its leadership in this effort and to the people around the table who worked hard to make sacrifices and to find common ground. The work is not yet complete, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Honolulu City Council Chair Ernie Martin said: “The City Council has constantly demonstrated its commitment to land conservation as evidenced by the Fiscal Year 2014 budget appropriation of $5 million to preserve Kawela Bay. Protecting such a valuable natural resource on the North Shore today is an investment that will reap dividends for generations to come.”

This agreement benefits the public in many ways, such as preserving open space and providing public access to beaches in the area at no charge. It also allows public access to more than five miles of coastal hiking trails and opens up the area for traditional native Hawaiian cultural practices. In addition, the agreement keeps recreational use available to the public and prevents the sprawl of urban development in the area.

“This historic conservation agreement is supported by The Trust for Public Land, The North Shore Community Land Trust and many community organizations, residents of the North Shore and people from all over our island, along with visitors who enjoy and treasure the area,” said The Trust for Public Land, Hawaiian Islands State Director Lea Hong.

TBR Chief Executive Officer Drew Stotesbury said, “As a part of the North Shore community, Turtle Bay Resort is proud to contribute to the conservation of these unique lands.”

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LINK: Video

December 22, 2013: Abercrombie Admin Turtle Bay Plan: Give Developers $40M, Let them Build Two Hotels

SA: Phase I is the area around Kawela Bay and Kawela Point. Phase II cover the areas of Puna-ho'olapa marsh and Kahuku Point, as well as undeveloped open space surrounding the golf course. Phase III is the middle portion of the property near the existing hotel where two additional hotels and amenities are planned.  (Funny how they left this tiny little detail out of the press release today, eh?)

Phases I and II are included in the current agreed-upon conservation scope, while Phase III remains for future consideration based on the landowner's desire to further explore Phase III's potential to provide significant economic benefits to the community.

read .. Two More Hotels

Turtle Bay Agreement Allows for 625 New Hotel Rooms, 100 Homes

CB April 17, 2014: Despite the excitement surrounding Thursday's announcement, the conflict over the resort's growth is far from settled. Even if the conservation easement comes to fruition, the company still plans to add 625 units in two hotels and 100 homes.

Stotesbury said the company is applying for subdivision approval this year and may begin construction in another two years.

read ... Hawaii Gov Announces Turtle Bay Agreement, But Fight Is Far From Over