The family trust of Hollywood movie star and singer Bette Midler is proposing to build a sanctuary for wetland birds on 100 acres it owns mauka of the Kaua‘i Village shopping center in Waipouli. Members of the family trust are
The family trust of Hollywood movie star and singer Bette Midler is proposing to build a sanctuary for wetland birds on 100 acres it owns mauka of the Kaua‘i Village shopping center in Waipouli.
Members of the family trust are asking the state to waive mineral rights over an easement within that 100 acres.
If state agencies agree, they would not be able to mine on the land as the sanctuary is being developed and operated.
The state’s waiver of the mining interest also would allow the family trust to grant a perpetual easement to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has scheduled a public hearing on the matter from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 15 at the Lihu‘e Civic Center.
Wetlands already exist within the 100 acres, and family trust members intend to create more wetlands within the parcel, according to Tommy Oi, district land agent for the DLNR office on Kaua‘i.
Members of the family trust plan to donate the wetland sanctuary to the federal government once the project is completed.
The 100-acre project is located within 1,600 acres Midler bought from Lihue Plantation in 1999.
Staff Writer Lester Chang may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net.
