Over 500 Koolauloa residents and a large group of Hawaii State officials crowded into the Kahuku High cafeteria on the evening of March 4 to hear Gov. Linda Lingle outline her reasons for trying to purchase the Turtle Bay Resort, and overwhelmingly show their support for the idea.

The large standing-room-only crowd was friendly. Under the direction of Koolauloa Neighborhood Board chair Dee Dee Letts of Kaaawa, two lines of people who gave testimony took considerate turns, and spoke briefly so the meeting ended on time two hours later. The walls of the cafeteria were covered with banners and posters in support of variations on the theme, while others showed their positions imprinted on tee shirts. (Mahalo also to the JROTC leaders and cadets who helped organize the parking.)

After all the introductions, Gov. Lingle first acknowledged that her proposal would "take a team between the legislature and the governor's office, the community, the landowners. This is something we can achieve, but only highly likely if we work together."

She spoke of being well acquainted with the "tug and pull of development and anti-development issues over the years. They've become more intense over time as our state continues to grow." She also told of how at her second inauguration, "I asked people to think of our economic foundation as being something other than land development; and that if our economic foundation remained land development, soon we would be in a no-win situation."

"Having said that, we still need economic development. We have jobs as an issue, always," Gov. Lingle continued.

She recalled her attendance late last year at the dedication of land in Pupukea-Paumalu and the 20-year fight to preserve that property caused her to think of Turtle Bay:

When creditors sued the Turtle Bay landowners for non-payment, "I thought it might be a good time for the community to gather together to try to both preserve the jobs at the existing Turtle Bay Resort, but then preserve the rest of the land." She added the State Senate recently passed legislation that gave us options.

"Our goal is a dual goal, really, to preserve the economic entity of the existing resort — the jobs that it provides as well as the opportunities for people who live and use the resort; but also to plant our flag in the sand on this one," she said. "That this is the place where we didn't just talk about sustainability, we didn't just talk about smart growth. We actually did something about it."

"I want to work with you in the coming months and years to make certain that occurs."

Gov. Lingle also noted that an advisory group would soon be formed to work with her "both for the acquisition as well as the long-term preservation and management of these lands." She added the group would include regional legislators and represent a variety of concerns and residents.

Community members and others next gave their input. For example:

"This is a now-or-never opportunity," said Tiffany James, a Kahuku High student. "We just want to work together."

Moot Ah Quin, a lineal descendant of ancient Hawaiians in the area, asked consideration for his ancestors: "Too many of our kupuna sleep uneasy," he said. "Their bones rest where they were not buried." The governor replied, "I appreciate you giving us that reminder."

Tamaiti Murray, another lineal descendant of Hawaiians in the region, said his living kupuna told him to "wait for the mana [power]," which came when the governor proposed the acquisition in her recent State of the State address. He asked for "profound love and respect for those who paved the way for these islands."

Choon James of Laie expressed concern for her friends who work at Turtle Bay Resort: "What Gov. Lingle is doing is the right thing to preserve Hawaii," she said.

Lifetime North Shore resident Carol Phillips said the plans to develop five more hotels on the property shouldn't go through "because of the traffic… To put it in simple terms, how many hotel workers live in Waikiki?" she asked.

Sherry Martinez of Kahuku Village Association and a number of others asked that the governor include Kahuku beachfront property in her proposal. The governor replied this was an issue for the advisory group "because they are the community. You're not the only person who's raised the issue of the land beyond."

Reb Bellinger, president of the Kaaawa Community Association said, "We are unanimously in favor of your efforts. He added this is the type of issue that could get many people involved.

Junior Primacio, president of the Kahuku Community Association, echoed that thought and also said, "We need to protect the 700-plus workers that are our neighbors."

Former legislator, Rev. Bob Nakata stressed, "None of us is talking about closing down the existing hotel," to which the governor nodded in agreement. He also pointed out the City and County would have to be involved. Gov. Lingle replied that North Shore Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz and another person designated by Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann would be in the advisory group.

Condo resident representatives both the East and West sections of the resort indicated they were in favor of the plan, "and we would help pay down the debt if you sold us our fee."

"What you've give us is hope," said a Turtle Bay employee, who described the resort as "a great place to work…but I've yet to hear a guest say, five hotels, what a great idea."

Hotel workers union head Eric Gill told the governor, "We welcome your initiatives and the two priorities you laid out."

One man asked how long it would take to buy the resort. The governor explained she planned to meet soon with representatives of Oaktree Capital, which acquired the property in 1999.

John Dowd, a Turtle Bay employee, said using condemnation or eminent domain processes "to acquire a private enterprise is not something the government should be involved in."

Gov. Lingle responded, "It's important to keep in mind that Oaktree has been trying to sell this property. We're another buyer," she said. "It's not as if they're trying to start to develop this property."

"As several speakers have said, this is a complex issue, but we can figure it out," she continued, adding that sometimes a company prefers a "forced sale… It's never my first choice. It's always my last choice, unless the owner wants us to exercise eminent domain."

One woman asked if the acquisition would require watershed concessions. "It's too early to tell," the governor answered.

Another woman pointed out the two top Oaktree execs are each worth over a billion dollars and wondered if anyone had asked them to donate the property. "I'll certainly ask," the governor responded. She added she would also look into possible federal monies to help protect endangered species and donations from the movie industry who sometimes use the pristine beaches in the area.

Pane Meatoga of Laie, who administers the Operating Engineers apprenticeship training site that adjoins the resort property, pledged to be a "good neighbor. I'm a big believer in a win-win situation," he said.

Junior Ah You of Laie first thanked the governor and everyone "for helping save Kahuku Hospital," and then said he spoke "for friends who are not heard… Their love for this land is just the same, if not more, than those who are not here."

"If we develop this coastline, it's no longer paradise," said a Kahuku kamaaina; and a Waikiki resident who came to the meeting said people on the rest of the island "are also passionate about preserving the North Shore."

"It's going to be a challenge. This is a big, big project we're taking on," Gov. Lingle said at the end of the meeting.

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