In the ever-deepening struggle between pro and anti-development forces on Kaua’i, the nay side appears to be losing following a skirmish Wednesday with the Kaua’i County Council. But their loss may be the island’s gain.Over protests from the project’s opponents,
In the ever-deepening struggle between pro and anti-development forces on
Kaua’i, the nay side appears to be losing following a skirmish Wednesday with
the Kaua’i County Council. But their loss may be the island’s gain.Over
protests from the project’s opponents, the council approved changing county
regulations in order for the proposed Makaweli resort to eventually be built in
the West Side area. Although a two-year process of more governmental checks and
balances remains before final approval is possible, Wednesday’s council action
bodes well for the 250-unit resort to eventually take its place in Kauai’s
hospitality pantheon.
That’s just what some foes of the proposed
Destination Villages facility don’t want: Another resort. Some also contend the
site for this one – property owned by Gay & Robinson – isn’t suited for
commercial use, and that opening it for such will lead to more development on
land cherished by non-development interests.
But Gay & Robinson, with
its long and generally respected history on Kaua’i as a company that treats
land right, doesn’t seem like an organization that would try to pound a square
peg into a round hole. Council members recognized that by voting unanimously to
open the county code to accept the resort proposal.
People who dislike
seeing resorts and other commercial development replace open areas on Kaua’i
have every right to voice their objections. But they must accept the fact that
growth, when overseen properly by local government and done sensitively by
conscientious developers, can and should be a good thing. The Makaweli project
is an example of this.
