Resolution calls for city
to take over Kunia
golf course

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

Five City Council members want to condemn the yet-to-be-opened Royal Kunia Golf Course for public play.

The golf course was completed in 1994 but has been sitting idle because developer Royal Oahu Resort Inc. has yet to make good on about $13 million of the $25 million in community impact fees promised.

"Because they owe $13 million and because the course is not open or doing anything, it's in the best interest of the city that we turn it into a municipal golf course," said Councilwoman Donna Mercado Kim, a sponsor of the resolution calling for condemnation.

"We will eventually be able to minus out the $13 million they owe us from the condemnation price."

Kim said the poor economy would allow the city to "pick it up for a very reasonable price."

She noted that another Oahu golf course, with a clubhouse, was recently sold for $12 million. Royal Kunia does not have a clubhouse.

Others signing onto the resolution were members John DeSoto, Andy Mirikitani, Mufi Hannemann and John Henry Felix.

While she could not recall condemnation action against a golf course owner, "we condemn lands for beaches, parks and other facilities all the time," Kim said.

Earlier this month, Councilwoman Rene Mansho suggested that the city could waive the fee to open the course to create jobs and provide recreational activities for the region.

Mansho said that since then, she's also contemplated condemnation and asked the Office of Council Services to look into the matter.

Yesterday, she said she endorses the resolution.

"I'm not interested in who gets the credit for it," she said. "I'm just interested in getting the job done."