LIHU‘E — There’s a very specific timeline some vocal residents want the Kaua‘i County Council and administration to follow to get a bill amending the county’s zoning ordinance passed.
Wednesday, the council heard testimony from a dozen residents in support of Bill No. 2838, which would define undeveloped and developed campgrounds and the areas in which these would be acceptable.
A developed campground, with permanent structures and bathrooms for temporary commercial occupancy, would only be allowed on resort-zoned lands.
Starwood Capital Group is seeking permits for a proposed 50-tent glamping operation on three holes of the Woods Course within the Makai Golf Course, which is on open-zoned land. The proposal, which has been discussed for more than a year, is having its official agency hearing before the Planning Commission on Dec. 14.
While there is no language specifically in the bill that singles out this project, the timing and conversations surrounding the bill have toed the line, with Planning Director Ka‘aina Hull referencing Starwood’s proposal as “the elephant in the room” at past Planning Commission meetings during the development of this bill.
The bill was initially introduced in April by Council Vice Chair Mason Chock and Councilmember Luke Evslin and has received widespread support island-wide, with many residents pointing to the risk of losing open spaces and land zoned for agriculture as a core issue.
The bill was referred to the council’s Planning Committee, which will take it up in two weeks. Then, if the council can pass the bill at its Dec. 1 meeting, it would be sent to Mayor Derek Kawakami for signature into law. And if signed before that Dec. 14 Planning Commission meeting, that, residents have said, would put a stop to the proposal.
While Starwood, which is also developing the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, has been in discussion with the community and has hosted Q&A sessions, the group has faced sharp criticism from residents.
“Commercial develop campgrounds have become a thinly disguised path for resort expansion on open space,” Lorraine Mull said Wednesday to the council.
Sam George, Princeville at Hanalei Community Association board president, pointed to how divisive the project has been in written testimony to the council.
“PHCA’s diverse members hold different opinions regarding Starwood’s proposed glamping project,” George wrote. “Some — including Starwood which is a PHCA member — support the glamping proposal. Others strongly oppose it.”
Without giving a stamp of approval or sure opposition to the bill, George said that dialogue “should continue.”
“How open-space land should be used is a significant issue that impacts the future of Kaua‘i, including, specifically, the Princeville community,” George said.
