Council hears Kahuku land grievances

Sugar plantation managers built one of the first golf courses on Oahu in Kahuku, Angel Adversalo recalls.

"It's a very nice place. It's an open place," the now-retired sugar worker said. "That golf course is important to us because many of us like to play on that golf course."

Two City Council committees went to the North Shore yesterday to hear from dozens of Kahuku residents concerned about plans by landowner James Campbell to sell the land beneath their plantation-era homes and the city's nine-hole municipal golf course.

Campbell Estate announced last summer that it would be selling the 2,000 acres it owns in Kahuku, including homes occupied by about 70 residents.

The Council heard testimony on several resolutions pertaining to the homes and golf courses, including proposals for the city to acquire those lands via condemnation.

Residents used the rallying cry of "Keep Kahuku Country," focusing on the possible loss of affordable living. Some, like Adversalo, were also concerned about losing the municipal golf course.

Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz said he is concerned that the sale of the land could lead to the city losing the lease the city has with Campbell Estate for the golf course.

Lloyd Haraguchi, a Campbell Estate representative, however, said the sale of the land beneath the golf course would be subject to the city's current annual lease, which expires Dec. 31 of each year.

"It's an automatic renewal of the annual lease," he said.

Dela Cruz said, "There are no assurances that the city is going to have the golf course long term."

Haraguchi replied, "You're right. It would depend on discussions with the new buyer, yes."

Acting Managing Director Wayne Hashiro said the city administration will plan for acquisition of the land but will not take a position on the actual acquisition until it gathers more information.

Haraguchi said a buyer was in place who would have allowed Kahuku residents to buy the land at "affordable" rates and keep the golf course available to local residents at "reasonable" rates.

But Haraguchi said the buyer backed out when the City Council began talking about condemnation.

"In effect, this destroyed a very viable solution that would have helped Kahuku Village residents without spending scarce city funds," Haraguchi said.