LIHUE — The price tag is $5.6 million, but the county has a chance to buy about three acres along the Hanalei River before the property is sold to a private landowner.
The new opportunity will be presented at Wednesday’s council meeting.
“The (current) owner has expressed that certain individuals that have big parcels of land are interested in buying it at that price, but they’re giving the county the opportunity to purchase it,” said County Council Vice Chair Ross Kagawa.
Kagawa is presenting draft Bill 2701, along with Council Chair Mel Rapozo.
“It’s higher than market value, but I’m for it. I don’t want to risk the possibility of that turning into a private fantasy location for a rich individual and his friends,” Kagawa said.
The name of the landowner proposing the sale hasn’t been released. The county’s purchase of the land would ensure its preservation for public use, according to the bill.
Details about the market value of the property and details about the Black Pot Draft Preferred Alternative plan will be presented to the council.
The 3.02 acres border the river and extend all the way up to the boat launch area at the rivermouth, as well as mauka to include the land upon which the two-story canoe club building rests.
It’s not part of the Black Pot Beach Park expansion, which aims to increase the 2.5-acre park to about 11 acres with additional places for camping, parking and upgraded facilities.
But the land is adjacent to Black Pot Beach Park and would provide extra space to meet rising use.
Private purchase of the land would risk the public’s access to the boat launch, leaving only the county boat launch site for the public to use, and would risk cutting off public access in some areas of the beach park.
“The other option would be that we allow it to be sold to that guy and try and negotiate some rights for use, but who knows if that would work,” Kagawa said.
He continued: “It’s a valuable piece. Sure, I’d like to pay market value, but we have the
opportunity.”
