LIHU‘E — How many times can someone say they received 138 acres of oceanfront property? Free of charge? An agreement signed Wednesday morning by Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. on behalf of the county and Kevin Showe of Kaua‘i Development
LIHU‘E — How many times can someone say they received 138 acres of oceanfront property?
Free of charge?
An agreement signed Wednesday morning by Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. on behalf of the county and Kevin Showe of Kaua‘i Development LLC conveyed 138 acres of oceanfront property adjacent to Lihu‘e Airport from Kaua‘i Development LLC to the County of Kaua‘i.
“It’s a momentous day,” said Kaua‘i County Councilmember Tim Bynum during the Wednesday council meeting where the council unanimously approved acceptance of the dedication deed at its meeting at the temporary council chambers in Nawiliwili.
Showe said the process started in 2006 with discussion with Council Chair Bill “Kaipo” Asing and other members of the council as well as Carvalho, who was then director of the county Department of Parks and Recreation.
“We are extremely grateful to Kaua‘i Development LLC and the Kaua‘i Lagoons team for working with us over a period of years to make this happen,” Carvalho said in a county news release.
“Getting more of the coastline for public ownership in perpetuity is a win for everyone.”
The transfer of the 138-acre parcel to the county was put into motion by an amendment of the Kaua‘i Lagoons zoning ordinance that was approved by the council and signed by the mayor last October. This allowed the developer to move forward with the project.
“After being approached about the possibility of a Kapi‘olani Park-type arrangement, I had to consider it for a while, and while enjoying Kapi‘olani Park (on O‘ahu) one day, thought ‘What a great idea,’” Showe said.
“We worked with the council and then-Mayor Bryan Baptiste as well as Carvalho with the Parks and Recreation department. It really is a legacy for the island and a great resource for the people of Kaua‘i. I’m really happy to be a part of that,” said Showe.
Carvalho said specific plans for the use of the parcel are in the process of being developed, though the county’s coastal path is projected to go through a portion of the parcel.
“I’m thankful and extremely happy for what is happening and I’m especially thankful for Kevin’s generosity,” said Asing.
“I don’t think many people realize what the county is getting — more than 130 acres of beach-front property. I can stand there and look out, and there is nothing between me and the ocean. And this is forever; it’s not a lease. It’s not temporary,” said Asing.
Last year, Kaua‘i Development LLC build 82 affordable rental units in Waipouli as a condition for its Kaua‘i Lagoons project.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
