Preserving the Turtle Bay Property
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Calling the proposal a "once-in-a-generation chance to preserve both a lifestyle for thousands of residents, and a part of Hawai`i that millions the world over have come to love and identify as the real Hawai`i," Governor Lingle has been in discussions with residents, community leaders, legislators, conservationists, nonprofit groups, union representatives and the private sector. Acquiring the property would allow for the protection of the natural resources and rural lifestyle of the area, as well as the long-term economic viability of the resort.
"I firmly believe we cannot speculate or sell ourselves into prosperity," the Governor has said. "There is a time and a place for large-scale land development projects... but there is also a time and place to preserve our natural environment and our heritage. The Turtle Bay property is the place and now is the time."
SB2423, would allow the state to acquire the entire area and protect an agreed-upon portion of undeveloped space. It has received widespread community support and was passed out of a full Senate hearing and House committee hearings this month. Also this month, more than 600 Hawai`i residents gathered at Kahuku High School for a community "talk story" meeting to discuss the Governor's proposal to acquire and preserve the Turtle Bay property for public use. During the meeting, the Governor announced the formation of the Turtle Bay Advisory Working Group, a 17-member committee that will develop and review various ideas, recommendations and plans that are being proposed on how to acquire the Turtle Bay property.
One subcommittee is compiling and reviewing acquisition options, including proposals and ideas that have been put forth by the community, private sector, environmental groups, lawmakers and other supporters since the Governor first raised the Turtle Bay idea.
A second subcommittee is focused on addressing how to ensure the long-term viability of the existing resort, including the preservation of jobs and the resort's economic contributions to the North Shore community.
A third subcommittee is coordinating community outreach communications to keep all parties informed and engaged in the process, and to continue to build on the productive discussions that took place during a public "talk story" on March 4 that drew more than 600 people from the Ko`olauloa-North Shore community, as well as the ongoing meetings between the Administration, residents, community leaders, union representatives, legislators, conservationists, nonprofit groups, the private sector and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne.
This week, Governor Lingle met with the owners of the Turtle Bay property, Oaktree Capital Management.
In an interview with the Honolulu Star-Bulletin following the meeting, John Brady, managing director and head of Oaktree Capital Management's global real estate group, said, "It was a very positive meeting and we look forward to ongoing discussions with the governor. She understands our obligations to our lenders, our employees and others in the community. It is a complex situation, but we are willing to work toward a viable solution."
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As part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration's initiative to protect what is special about Hawai`i, the Governor has proposed that the state - in collaboration with private, public and nonprofit partners - acquire the 850-acre Turtle Bay property on O`ahu's North Shore.
TURTLE BAY PROPOSAL IN THE NEWS
"Lingle, Turtle Bay owners have 1st meeting," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 19, 2008
"Turtle Bay plan gains support," Honolulu Advertiser, March 16, 2008
"Turtle Bay bill advances," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 11, 2008
"Hundreds meet with Lingle on Turtle Bay," Honolulu Advertiser, March 5, 2008
"Turtle Bay buy touted," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 5, 2008
"Governor talks with North Shore community about Turtle Bay," KHON, March 4, 2008
"Residents Pack Governor's Talk Story Session on Turtle Bay," KHNL, March 4, 2008
"Governor Takes Turtle Bay Plan to Community," KGMB, March 4, 2008
Lingle to meet with owners of Turtle Bay, Honolulu Advertiser, February 27, 2008
Panel approves Turtle Bay purchase, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, February 26, 2008
Dozens back state plan to buy Turtle Bay land, Honolulu Advertiser, February 10, 2008
Purchasing plan debuts, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, February 10, 2008
North Shore Residents Support Bills Preserving Hawai`i Lands, KHNL, February 9, 2008
Lawmakers Support Buying Turtle Bay Resort, KGMB, February 9, 2008
Governor Confident About Turtle Bay Plan, KGMB, January 24, 2008
Lingle's Turtle Bay plan a 'step in right direction,' Honolulu Advertiser, January 23, 2008
Lingle’s strategy to protect Turtle Bay is noble but difficult, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 23, 2008
Lingle wants state to buy Turtle Bay, Honolulu Advertiser, January 22, 2008
Lingle wants state to buy Turtle Bay, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 22, 2008
Turtle Bay plan gets community OK, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 22, 2008
Lingle says state should buy Turtle Bay, Pacific Business News, January 22, 2008
Lingle Wants to Buy Turtle Bay, KHON, January 22, 2008
Lingle Focuses on Preserving Oahu's North Shore, KHNL, January 22, 2008
Governor Wants to Buy Turtle Bay, KGMB, January 22, 2008
Lingle Proposes Buying Turtle Bay, KITV, January 22, 2008
Lingle Announces Plan to Buy Turtle Bay, KGMB, January 22, 2008
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL
"Purchasing oceanfront land to protect it from development and preserve it from public use is a great idea."
An excerpt from the Maui News editorial, "Public needs open shorelines."
"Big plans start with big dreams. And although the state remains a long way from charting a realistic course toward the goal of preserving the Turtle Bay properties for public use, Gov. Linda Lingle has taken that important first step simply by envisioning it."
An excerpt from the Honolulu Advertiser editorial, "Lingle Turtle Bay idea deserves serious look."
"Lingle has made a policy statement by declaring growth limits on the North Shore as being part of creating a sustainable future. Pushing rural O`ahu beyond its capacity makes no sense. The beauty of the state's natural environment is one of its central assets."
An excerpt from the Honolulu Advertiser editorial, "Lingle Turtle Bay idea deserves serious look."
"Gov. Linda Lingle's proposal for the state to purchase Turtle Bay Resort and prevent further development on surrounding property owned by the same company is welcome news for people who want to preserve Oahu's "country." The effort is noble and worthwhile."
An excerpt from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin editorial, "Lingle’s strategy to protect Turtle Bay is noble but difficult."
"There is no argument with the sentiment and acquiring land-by the government..."
An excerpt from the Maui News editorial, "Public needs open shorelines."
"I think this is something the whole island will get behind."
Senator Clayton Hee told the Honolulu Advertiser.
“The island of O‘ahu will benefit if areas like Turtle Bay are preserved in perpetuity at a time when the islands are experiencing exponential urbanization.”
Senator Clayton Hee
"It's important to preserve open space for future generations. So we would be honored to work with the governor to help try and facilitate a solution."
Gil Riviere, head of Keep The North Shore Country and Let's Surf coalitions, told the Honolulu Advertiser.
"This is all pretty exciting. It's hard not to be stoked. We're heading in the right direction. I would expect that the governor will have a tremendous amount of support in this effort."
Blake McElheney, member of the North Shore Neighborhood Board and life-long area preservationist, told the Honolulu Advertiser.
"There is absolutely no split in the community on this issue, now, and I've been fighting this for 25 years."
Bob Nakata, co-chair of the Defend O`ahu Coalition, told the Honolulu Advertiser.
"We're absolutely delighted. It's a huge relief to everyone in the community. To have that kind of support is just phenomenal."
Carol Phillips, North Shore Neighborhood Board member, told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
"It's a great opportunity to preserve this area for future generations of Hawai`i, for residents and visitors."
Laura Couch, an attorney for Keep the North Shore Country, told the Associated press.
"We think the governor's effort to look for areas to preserve Hawai'i's open space makes sense."
Keith Vieira, senior vice president and director of operations, Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawai'i and French Polynesia told the Honolulu Advertiser.
"As someone who was raised in Laie and has a special connection to the Koolauloa Community I was pleasantly surprised to see state officials thinking of productive ways to support local residents and create a balance between development and preservation... Thank you for this innovative, courageous, and completely wonderful proposal."
An excerpt from an email written by Christian Palmer to Governor Lingle.
"I commend you for proposing that the state purchase the Turtle Bay Resort and surrounding properties of Kawela Bay. We cannot continue to destroy the natural beauty of this island with development."
An excerpt from an email written by Shay Bintliff, MD, to Governor Lingle.
"I am a student at BYU Hawai`i and I want you to know that I fully support the decision to purchase Turtle Bay. I know that I'm not a native to Hawai`i, but I have come to love this place so much."
An excerpt from an email written by Robert Tree to Governor Lingle.
