$3 million pending
for North Shore landSupporters aim to buy the property
to protect it from development
Supporters hope state lawmakers will work out details on a bill to pay for the state's share of a choice North Shore bluff above Sunset Beach to prevent it from being developed for luxury homes.
House-Senate conferees have until Friday to approve $3 million in general-obligation bonds. The funding is part of a campaign to raise at least $12 million to purchase the 1,129-acre Pupukea-Paumalu property.
Funds also are being sought from federal sources and the city. Yesterday, the Army entered into an agreement with the Trust for Public Lands, pledging $3 million to purchase and protect the land.
House Bill 2759 was introduced by Rep. Michael Magaoay and is supported by Senate President Robert Bunda. Both lawmakers represent the North Shore.
"We're optimistic," said Ma-gaoay, pointing out that whether the $3 million is available hinges on what Gov. Linda Lingle does with the $3.6 billion operating budget approved by lawmakers April 15. House and Senate Democrats say they have the votes to override a Lingle budget veto.
"This is beneficial for the Army and for the people of Hawaii," Col. David Anderson said. "The Army can contribute to the conservation effort without actually owning the land. We only want this special area to be protected forever."
Another $3 million request is pending before the City Council as part of Mayor Jeremy Harris' budget.
Blake McElheny, spokesman for the North Shore Community Land Trust, said U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye is trying to secure $6 million through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"What we are attempting to do to is to meet what the owners have been asking for the land," McElheny said.
McElheny pointed that although the landowner is asking $12 million for the property, backers are trying to raise $15 million to make sure they meet the market value, which has not been determined.
The land is owned by Obayashi Hawaii Corp. Obayashi purchased the property, which abuts the Boy Scout and Girl Scout camps as well as the Kahuku Military Training Area, for $7 million in 1974.
The Supreme Court upheld in November a lower court ruling that said the City Council acted within its powers to re-zone the parcel for a residential development.
In the mid-1990s the Japanese company said it wanted to build a 765-acre development of 1-acre lots.