LIHUE — The price tag is $5.6 million, but the county has a chance to buy about three acres along the Hanalei River before the property is sold to a private landowner.
The new opportunity will be presented at Wednesday’s council meeting.
“The (current) owner has expressed that certain individuals that have big parcels of land are interested in buying it at that price, but they’re giving the county the opportunity to purchase it,” said County Council Vice Chair Ross Kagawa.
Kagawa is presenting draft Bill 2701, along with Council Chair Mel Rapozo.
“It’s higher than market value, but I’m for it. I don’t want to risk the possibility of that turning into a private fantasy location for a rich individual and his friends,” Kagawa said.
The name of the landowner proposing the sale hasn’t been released. The county’s purchase of the land would ensure its preservation for public use, according to the bill.
Details about the market value of the property and details about the Black Pot Draft Preferred Alternative plan will be presented to the council.
The 3.02 acres border the river and extend all the way up to the boat launch area at the rivermouth, as well as mauka to include the land upon which the two-story canoe club building rests.
It’s not part of the Black Pot Beach Park expansion, which aims to increase the 2.5-acre park to about 11 acres with additional places for camping, parking and upgraded facilities.
But the land is adjacent to Black Pot Beach Park and would provide extra space to meet rising use.
Private purchase of the land would risk the public’s access to the boat launch, leaving only the county boat launch site for the public to use, and would risk cutting off public access in some areas of the beach park.
“The other option would be that we allow it to be sold to that guy and try and negotiate some rights for use, but who knows if that would work,” Kagawa said.
He continued: “It’s a valuable piece. Sure, I’d like to pay market value, but we have the
opportunity.”
This is Very good. The County would be an idiot not to take it. Buy it for the people. The forgotten people
The Kauai county property assessment map shows that this property is part of a 26 acre parcel owned by Patricia Sheehan. The entire 26 acres is only assessed at $3.1 million. I would definitely say that this is higher than market value.
The county has a motto. Do it wrong. If that does not work do it wrong again. Say hi to the next rich developer, the county will mess this up.
“It’s higher than market value, but I’m for it.” Another reason to question our county leadership. Why would the County pay a premium for this property? Friends, family, financial benefits?
If the county wants this property and can’t agree on fair market price then go thru legal channel – eminent domain – other options – to acquire. Paying a premium for anything with public funds should not be allowed.
Perfect…just what we need, the county WASTING taxpayer money buying land. All this in the face of the absolutely DISGRACEFUL condition of county roads? This is mindless idiocy and reflects a level of incompetence, irresponsibility and abject failure to carry out one their most fundamental responsibilities. That is, to maintain and improve the roads.
Of course, unprincipled politicians and incompetent bureaucrats know that the average taxpayer doesn’t pay much attention to all of this. Instead, they drive on third-world, banana republic roads and just assume that’s they way it is. All the while being scalped by some of the highest tax rates in the nation. We pay through the nose for junk. We should all be ashamed of ourselves for putting up with this state of affairs. We should realize that the county council, the mayor and gaggle of bureaucrats are, aside from incompetent, essentially immoral; they take our hard earned money, neglect their fiduciary duty and spend like drug addled addicts on wasteful, inefficient endeavors.
Disgraceful.
RG DeSoto
ARE we filled to the rim with a cup of kona coffee, Jessica? You’re out of line here. A bill drafted would mean a rubber stamp like China. A useless bill. Buying it with what income? $5.6 million. Very much outside the lines.
More Ross Kagawa Predjudice BS.. “It’s higher than market value, but I’m for it. I don’t want to risk the possibility of that turning into a private fantasy location for a rich individual and his friends. ” Hey Mel, is this truly the way you feel about peolpe who buy a lot and they might be “rich”? is this how you are going to treat them? are you in with Ross on thinking you can get away with treating people this way as a councilmember of all things.? all I can say to you people is WOW!!!it’s truly hard to believe that this council members prejudice actions hasn’t freed him from his council seat a lot sooner in his political career. He wants to spend whatever it takes(because it’s our money not his) to stop an individual from exercising his rights to purchase and do what is allowed to do by law. Ross break out your check book and by the lot for yourself and pay twice what you should, so you, family, and friends can have your own fantasy private location. We don’t need the lot. $5.6 million dollars will fill a lot of pot holes. Why are we contemplating and being forced to pay beyond it’s value of a lot that we don’t have the money for it’s maintenance or developing uses for it? Why does the council continue to waste money and time on crap like this?. Why don’t we hear what’s going on with the priorities at hand like how many potholes are being filled daily? We’re making head way on getting rental vehicles off our roads so traffic can flow better…. Not a chance with this assembly…how sad.