Action on Waiohai deferred for two weeks

LIHU’E — The Kaua’i Planning Commission deferred action yesterday on requests

for permits from the Marriott Corporation to convert the Waiohai Hotel into a

time share development.

Representing the Marriott, Kaua’i attorney Max

Graham asked for the deferral because a majority of the company executives were

not able to attend the meeting.

The Commission has scheduled a June 22 to

take up the permit requests.

The project calls for the construction of

seven timeshare buildings, ranging from two to four stories, an operations

building, an underground parking lot, a restaurant, a pool, pathways and the

renovation of a two-story parking lot.

Representatives for the 333-unit

Kiahuna Plantation condominium, which is located next to the old hotel, have

voiced opposition to Marriott’s proposal to build the two-phase project over 5

years.

The Kiahuna interests say the lengthy buildout will affect the

quality of the condo project.

Marriott officials have said staggered

construction will enhance the marketability of their project.

Marriott

initially proposed to build out its project over nearly 7 years, but shorten

the buildout time to 5 years partly in attempt to reach a compromise with

Kiahuna Plantation interests.

The Marriott’s proposed 5

year-reconstruction calls for:

* Securing of permits, development of plans

and designs and preparation work, including demolition of the old hotel, during

the first 12 months.

* Construction of the first phase over 18

months.

* A break in the work for 12 months.

* Construction of the

second and final phase over 18 months.

Kiahuna Plantation also has concerns

the new buildings that would go up over the old Waiohai structures would

interfere with the views of some condo owners.

Marriott has suggested

repositioning the some of the buildings to protect the views.