The Defend Oahu Coalition is a diverse group of community residents, environmentalists, activists and religious leaders all working together towards one goal: protecting communities along the North Shore from the dangerous effects of large scale development. We believe that the beautiful North Shore is for all Oahu residents as well as visitors, and we are committed to ensuring that it will continue to be a resource for generations to come.
You can get in touch with us by emailing savekawelabay@yahoo.com.
Background
Owners
of Turtle Bay Resort plan to build five new hotels with 3,500 more condo, timeshare and resort hotel units on and around Kawela Bay on the basis of an agreement and a land
use permit that are nearly 20 years old. These are
based on an environmental
study that is even older. Developer Kuilima Resort
Company, an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management, is attempting
to subdivide more than 700 acres of land from Kawela Bay to
Kahuku Point - either to develop it or to sell off to other
developers.
A lot has changed in the last 20 years. Traffic and water usage
have changed significantly since Turtle Bay first proposed this
massive development. Other development along the North Shore/Windward
area is on the way - including the Stryker Brigade and 550 units
of housing in Laie. Laws have changed, too. Affordable housing requirements
have expanded too - developers in 1986 agreed to build a number
of affordable homes equal to 10% of the to 30%. Environmental studies
have stronger requirements and must include additional information
such as cultural concerns.
All of this development would drastically affect the nature of
our neighborhoods along the rural corridor from Kahalu'u to Waimea
Bay and beyond. These neighborhoods serve as a recreational area
for the entire island - an escape from the urban sprawl. If Kuilima
Resort Company has its way and is allowed to build 3,500 more units,
North Shore residents and the people of O'ahu in general can say
goodbye to Keeping the Country Country.
** The
Environmental Notice, January 23, 2006, Office of Environmental
Quality Control
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