PO‘IPU — Elizabeth Takenaka and the Save Koloa nonprofit have been maintaining a vigil 0n Kiahuna Plantation Drive for the past several days after signs of construction, including the installation of dust screens, became apparent.
“How can they do this?” Takenaka asked.
“The planned 282-luxury condominium project has not received its final approval from the Planning Department. We’ve been following the Planning Commission meeting agenda, and that has not appeared. On Aug. 10, the project received ‘tentative approval’ after they wanted to consolidate a small, two-acre parcel into the overall tax map key. That resulted in just a map showing the land consolidation. That was not the final approval to proceed.”
Takenaka and her handful of supporters against the development of the Kauanoa O Koloa, described online as “Kaua‘i’s Newest Condominium Project for Sale in Koloa,” said the county Department of Public Works granted developers a grubbing permit, and a handful of companies showed up to start work.
“This is not the final approval for work,” Takenaka said. “What about the environmental impact statement? How about the drainage, and traffic that 600 additional people will impact the area? We’re still waiting for that hearing so we can add our input.”
In the meantime, Takenaka, Save Koloa and its supporters that include Friends of Maha‘ulepu and the Kamawaelualani Corp. are parked off the Historic Hapa Road in the shade of a kiawe tree on a section of Kiahuna Plantation Drive that has been marked as “Dead End” road.
The Kauanoa O Koloa website started selling on Nov. 4, 2021. According to the developer’s representative, the first phase of building is scheduled to break ground in early 2022, the website states. This will include between 70 and 80 units, the clubhouse, restaurant and a pool on the more than 25 acres overlooking the Kiahuna Golf Course. It may take 24 to 36 months before the first certificates of occupancy are issued, the website states.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
