PRINCEVILLE — Residents continue to question and protest proposed glamping development in Princeville.
Thursday, developer investment firm Starwood Capital Group, the Princeville at Hanalei Community Association and East West Partners hosted a two-hour meeting to discuss updates to the proposed project and answer resident questions on the 50 luxury glamping tents, arrival pavilion, cafe and fitness-center expansion.
The 50-tent glamping destination is outlined to be at the 50-year-old Princeville Makai Golf Club on a portion of the Woods Course, holes one through three. This is located west of Lei O Papa Road and south of Ka Haku Road. Glamping is a higher-end, amenity-driven camping experience.
“The golf course has struggled for many years to be financially solvent, and previous owners have considered discontinuing its operations and/or selling the land,” Starwood’s representatives said.
Troon Golf would
continue to manage the 18-hole Makai course in this proposal.
“SCG is interested in using a portion of the course for glamping, which allows the property to generate revenue and continue golf operations in the other areas of the property,” the presentation states.
Many residents with the community group “Save-Our-Space Hui” protested the development on the grounds that open-space laws exist for the master-planned area, where there is dedicated open space for the next five years. Residents also voiced concern for changing the landscape of the residential area.
Mary Paterson protested Thursday, and asked fellow residents of the North Shore to sign a petition opposing the development.
“Glamping on a golf course is wrong,” Paterson said.
In a February survey, 94% of Princeville residents and property owners believed that preserving open space in Princeville was critical, and nearly 82% of 782 people who responded to the PHCA survey said preserving open space — including golf courses and parks — in the community is “very important,” with a significantly-smaller portion saying it is “fairly important” or “important.”
About 42% of respondents said they would support litigation to prevent development on Princeville’s open spaces, while just 19.6% said they would not. Another 19.3% were unsure.
Starwood is willing to dedicate the remaining golf-course lands, in perpetuity, for golf use for PHCA support on this development. The association represents over 3,000 Princeville owners and residents. Makai Princeville is not a member of PHCA, but is still seeking the support of the PHCA and community. Thursday’s event was open only to Princeville residents, of which only 50 could attend in person at the clubhouse. Close to 200 more joined the meeting over Zoom.
Earlier this year, County Councilmember Luke Evslin and Vice Chair Mason Chock introduced legislation regarding developed campgrounds on land zoned open, agriculture and within residential neighborhoods. Bill No. 2822 is currently going through revisions before being brought back up before the council.
Saturday, residents celebrated their open space with a 50-year anniversary of the Makai Golf Course, with music and memories from course designer Robert Trent Jones Jr., who has a home in Princeville.
“We’re going to have a party and celebrate what’s actually here,” Jones said.
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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
