Developer’s Own News Site Says it Looks bad

CB Nov 14 2012: Ohana Hanalei bought the 122-acre property in 2007 for $75 million. The California-based real estate company wants to sell 34 residential lots along the ridge over Hanalei River and build 86 hotel units on 64 of those acres. The firm also wants to revitalize a 600-year-old ancient Hawaiian fishpond on the property. The land is covered with thick vegetation, save for a sprinkling of cement foundations from an abandoned hotel project in the 1980s.

The landowner's development team is Ohana Real Estate Investors (Civil Beat publisher Pierre Omidyar is the company's principal investor.) The company accepted an invitation from the Hanalei-to-Haena Community Association to make a public presentation and answer questions about the project Tuesday evening at Hanalei School.

About 400 people packed the elementary school's cafeteria, with many spilling out its doors. Some in the crowd, which ranged from keiki to kupuna, waved signs like "Hanalei Valley Stay Pono" as they strained to hear

Several people who testified wanted to know where eBay founder Pierre Omidyar was and learn more about his role in the project.

Eric Crispin, OREI vice president, told the crowd that Omidyar is the primary investor in Ohana Holdings, which provided the money to purchase the property. He said Omidyar is not a member of the management team or board of directors.

Swartman said Omidyar focuses his energy on his philanthropic work, such as the Ulupono Initiative, entrusting others to manage his investments.

"It's a fine line," said Crispin, who struggled to answer the question of why the property should be developed because of frequent boos and interruptions. "We do have a difficult task. We understand this. We also have a sense of kuleana for the property."

He said OREI is a development company, but defines success differently from others. Ultimately, Crispin said, the company wants to find a balance that is financially viable while respecting the environment and culture.

"The message that you don't want any homes on the ridge, we're not deaf. We hear that," Crispin said. "But this is zoned land. This has been previously developed. I see heads shaking, I understand you would rather have nothing, but to us, that's not viable."

"We've been fooled before," Kauai resident Nick Beck said to much applause.

read … Same as the old boss

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E Turbo News Nov 12, 2012

KAUAI, Hawaii - At the request of the Hanalei to Haena Community Association, Pierre Omidyar's resort development team from his Ohana Real Estate Investors LLC (OREI) will make a public presentation at 6:00 pm at the Hanalei School Cafeteria on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, regarding the company's plans to "develop a hotel and residential project on an approximately 63.6-acre site located adjacent to and north of the Hanalei River and northeast of Hanalei Bay in Hanalei, on the island of Kauai. The Hanalei Plantation Resort project is proposed to include a total of 120 transient accommodation units consisting of 34 single-family residential lots and a low-density hotel development comprised of 86 cottage units, and amenities including a restaurant, meeting facility, spa, and pool area, and enhancement of the marsh area.

All are invited to come learn more about the proposed Hanalei River Ridge development, ask questions, and share their mana`o [thoughts, ideas]. Everyone is welcome.

Despite 5,000+ petition signers; strong, visible community opposition; and several attempts to dialog directly with Mr. Omidyar, the Oahu resident and billionaire founder of eBay has thus far declined to personally dialog with concerned Kauai community leaders. This conflict leaves everyone wondering why is Omidyar who, according to his philanthropic foundations, believes in a "sustainable Hawaii" is wanting to force such an enormous development on the Garden Island? "The Omidyar Network was founded on the fundamental belief that every person has the power to make a difference" - but the founder himself refuses to listen to people who are trying to protect their fragile island home ( http://www.omidyar.com/approach ).

Many Kauai residents expressed surprise to learn the full extent of Mr. Omidyar's involvement in the development of similar ultra-exclusive resorts on other pristine US coastlines ( http://ohanare.com/portfolio/ ). Forbes Magazine estimates Omidyar's net worth at US$8.2 billion, making him the 50th wealthiest person in the United States ( http://www.forbes.com/profile/pierre-omidyar/ ).

A member of Save Hanalei River Ridge, Hayley Ham Young-Giorgio, said: "Mr. Omidyar, this is an opportunity for you to hear Hanalei’s community, along with a whole population of people throughout the world - the REAL ohana [family] of Hanalei - who have been touched by the essential beauty of Hanalei. You have the power to help preserve its nature, culture, and essence. Do not build on the Hanalei River Ridge."

In an earlier email message to the organization's 5,000+ petition signers, Ms. Young-Giorgio had written: "To introduce multi-million-dollar homes sitting on top of the ridge looking down on Black Pot would break the hearts of the thousands of people who live here and also those who come to visit and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the river and the bay. A resort development on this massive scale on the Hanalei River Ridge opens the door to letting it become more like Laguna Beach and less like Hanalei - this Garden of Eden that so well defines Kauai."

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KGI: Hanalei land developers met by full crowd

SA: Hanalei Bay proposal opposed

Related: www.savehanaleiriverridge.com

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