Opposition heard over Nextel plans

LIHU‘E — Members of the Kaua‘i County Planning Commission are trying to pinpoint exactly how many residents support and oppose Nextel Partners’ proposal for an unmanned telecommunications facility in a Wailua Homesteads residential neighborhood.

The project is intended to greatly increase cell-phone service in Wailua.

From the viewpoint of critics, the outcome of the commission deliberations will determine whether parts of Wailua along Pu‘upilo Road retain that country feel and look residents say they want to preserve as Kaua‘i experiences explosive growth.

Critics say a planned 45-foot antenna would mar views for generations.

Nextel officials say the pole can be covered over by tall trees, and say the project will greatly enhance and improve service to existing customers and 5,000 new customers. The new facility also will enhance the ability of Nextel customers to call for help during emergencies or natural disasters.

Both point of views were presented during a public hearing called by members of the Kaua‘i Planning Commission yesterday at the Lihu‘e Civic Center. No decision was made on an application for permits necessary to build the antenna site.

The project calls for the installation of a 45-foot-tall antenna pole and two other buildings within a space that is less than 600 square feet of a one-acre homesite at 6440 Pu‘upilo Rd. owned by Kerry Oda.

If the project goes through, Nextel leaders would compensate Oda for allowing use of his land for the facility.

Dr. N. Craig Netzer, who grew up on Pu‘upilo Road and owns a lot by the proposed Nextel site, said 35 of 37 residents at a raucous community meeting on the proposal in May strongly opposed the project, and that commission members should take heed.

“I oppose the project,” Netzer said. “There was an overwhelmingly, resounding presence (against the project) that we don’t want it at this particular location,” Netzer said.

He contended Nextel officials have not adequately shared their plans with the community, and are ramming the project “down the throats” of residents.

Nextel officials said that is not the situation at all, and that they have met with community members and have conducted a slide-show presentation.

Nextel leaders said the slideshow presentation wasn’t long enough, lasting only about 30 minutes,

Ray Duvauchelle, who said he acted as a facilitator at a meeting, apparently held at Oda’s house, said the meeting was loud and local, triggering tense and angry moments.

Of the 37 folks who attended the meeting, only two residents voiced support, Beverly Pang, and a person identified as a “Mr. Nishida.”

Nextel official Carl Young said there exists overwhelming support for the Nextel project.

A thousand letters were sent to residents that would be affected by the project, and only a few more than 30 letters were sent back to Nextel voicing opposition, Young said.

Young said the few opposition letters received indicated to him that there was over-whelming support for the project. Commission members, however, received more than 90 letters opposing the project. Young said letters of support for Nextel’s project were filed with the county, and that he was surprised they were not included in a county Planning Department packet. County officials were not immediately available to comment on Young’s claim.

In support of the project, Pang, who was born and raised in Wailua, said progress is a fact of life, and that when new folks came to Kaua‘i and development occurred, longtime residents welcomed newcomers and changes.

The same type of attitude should prevail for the Nextel proposal, Pang insisted.

“We need this Nextel antenna,” Pang said. “Like we welcomed you into our neighborhood, we should welcome Nextel into our neighborhood.”

• Lester Chang, staff writer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or lchang@pulitzer.net.