A two-decade controversy over development
of the 320-acre area has ended

By Susan Kreifels
Star-Bulletin

Queen's Beach on the Ka Iwi shoreline will remain an open park under a state plan to acquire the area, ending almost two decades of controversy over commercial development.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources yesterday voted to allow the state to use $14 million appropriated by the Legislature to purchase the 320 acres from Bishop Estate or to condemn the land, located next to Hawaii Kai. Developers over the years have planned to build resorts, luxury homes and a golf course in the area, but protesters have stymied efforts.

"The community is excited and elated," said Teresa McHugh of the Ka Iwi Action Council.

"The struggle has gone on for many years."

Mike Wilson, land board chairman and director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said the state has been negotiating with the federal government for money to help with the acquisition. He said the $14 million funding was based on an appraisal, and he hoped to get an additional $5.6 million from the federal government.

Dean Uchida, Land Division administrator for the department, said no discussions had been held with Bishop Estate, and "it remains to be seen if we are miles apart" on a selling price.

Wilson said he hoped to complete talks with the federal government by the end of the year and finish the land deal early next year.

Wilson wouldn't comment on any problems that might arise with Bishop Estate. "I think Bishop is waiting to see the amount and hear from the government," Wilson said. "I'm enjoying the moment; I don't want to talk obstacles. Things are moving along OK."

Bishop Estate spokeswoman Elisa Yadao did not return phone calls yesterday.

Wilson said the decision was important because it retains open space and natural wilderness on the edge of congested Honolulu. "It's a really neat laboratory in the back yard of hundreds of thousands of people," Wilson said.

Controversy over commercial development in the area dates to the late 1970s when developers envisioned thousands of hotel rooms to be built there. Development plans included Queen's Beach among five areas specifically slated for resort use.

But some planners were already calling for the area to remain public and be acquired by the state. In 1980 the East Honolulu and Waimanalo neighborhood boards opposed resort development in Queen's Beach because of traffic congestion and dangers posed by tsunamis.

Developers said then that the city would be breaking its promise to allow urban growth if it stopped resort construction at Queen's Beach, citing a 1966 Detailed Land Use Map that called for development of the area.