DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM A fisherman at the Heeia Kea Boat Harbor cast his eyes yesterday on the Heeia Kea area, which the city plans to make a nature preserve.
City grabs The struggle is over for Windward community leaders who have fought for more than three decades to keep 220 acres of land in Heeia Kea Valley from being developed.
Heeia land
Officials declare a final success
over combined efforts to protect
the valley area as a nature preserveBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comUsing its power of eminent domain, the city last month took control of the valley in a condemnation proceeding, promising to keep the land as a nature preserve.
In a condemnation, the city takes control of the property while a purchase price is negotiated. California-based landowner HK LLC was asking for $6 million while the city values the land at $2 million. An earlier offer by the city of $1.7 million had been rejected. The City Council set aside $4 million in 2001 for the purchase.
Windward Councilman Steve Holmes rattled off the various proposals that have come before the city over the years -- from power plants to a sports complex.
"On each occasion, the community had to fight to keep out that kind of inappropriate development," Holmes said. "So it feels real good to be able to finally have the city take possession and put an end to those struggles."
He praised community leaders such as Kahaluu Neighborhood Board members John Reppun and Amy Luersen for their perseverance.
Said Managing Director Ben Lee: "The community was clearly concerned about maintaining those properties for open space, public park space and public access."
A ridge line trail that starts just across Kamehameha Highway from Heeia State Park offers spectacular views for those who reach the top, Holmes said.
"You can see the Hawaiian fish pond that's there, you can see all of the reef flats. And as you go further up, you start to see the entire Heeia meadowlands area, and then as you get up to the top, you can look all the way over to Waianae and the Temple Valley area."
According to research done by one hopeful developer, Hawaiian Electric Inc. signed a 30-year lease with then-owner Kamehameha Schools in anticipation of developing a power plant for the burgeoning Windward area in 1965.
But in the 1970s, the city's land use policies shifted development away from Windward Oahu, and with it the need for additional power capacity, leaving Hawaiian Electric in search of other alternatives.
In 1983, Hawaiian Electric requested approval of 418 residential units but was denied by the Council. A 1985 plan proposed by a partnership between Hawaiian Electric and Gentry Investments for 500 homes in addition to park, industrial and commercial uses was also rejected as was a 1987 plan for 360 units, commercial, industrial and park development.
Traffic was cited as a key reason the Council denied each of the requests.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM In this image composed of three photos taken yesterday, tranquil Heeia Kea was seen from the Heeia Kea Boat Harbor. The city is condemning the area to turn it into a preserve.
A Japanese interest called Nanatomi Hawaii purchased the valley in 1989 and proposed a sports complex featuring an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, aerobics facility, health spa and up to 35 homes.
That project also failed, apparently after running into financial roadblocks.
In the 1990s, according to Holmes, Pension Properties attempted to obtain residential zoning for about 200 homes on the 17.5 acres on the north end in exchange for giving the city title to the rest of the property. But that plan also ran into money problems.
Lee said that city officials intend to meet with community leaders in the next two months to determine what improvements will be made on the property. About $150,000 has been earmarked for a master plan.
"We have some exciting thoughts about that and we'll be asking the community for their input on that as well," Lee said.
He would not disclose what ideas the city has in mind but stressed "I don't think we're going to be talking about putting any major buildings or facilities there," he said.
Holmes said he envisions little being done to the property with the exception of improving the hiking trails and possibly picnic tables on the valley floor. "I think the basic concept is preservation, it was a land bank purchase."
City & County of Honolulu
