LIHU‘E — A Kilauea community facility seemed like a forward-thinking idea of providing entertainment, accessibility and sustainability to the whole island. But some residents from the neighboring Kalihiwai Ridge subdivision are saying “not in my backyard,” and have filed for
LIHU‘E — A Kilauea community facility seemed like a forward-thinking idea of providing entertainment, accessibility and sustainability to the whole island.
But some residents from the neighboring Kalihiwai Ridge subdivision are saying “not in my backyard,” and have filed for an intervention with the county Planning Commission.
The 15-acre property was previously zoned urban and industrial, and the former owners planned to build a mall there, which caused an uproar in the Kilauea community at the time.
When William and Joan Porter bought the land four years ago, however, they decided to develop a multi-use facility there.
The first phase of the Anaina Hou project, which includes a nursery, a Park & Ride station and a miniature golf course, is scheduled to open this fall. The second phase proposes an amphitheater, a movie theater, a commercial kitchen and a conference room.
Now that the project manager, Michael Kaplan, has applied for the second-phase permits, the Kalihiwai Ridge Community Association has hired attorney James Tagupa to stop Anaina Hou from obtaining the permits.
The commission held the first public hearing on the issue Tuesday at the Mo‘ikeha Building.
“There’s a number of issues that need to be clarified or explained by the applicant, therefore we are asking that KRCA be admitted as an intervenor,” Tagupa told the commissioners.
Tagupa, who was a county attorney when Anaina Hou obtained the phase I permit, said the project would “clearly adversely” affect KRCA members.
Concerns
Tagupa said one of the major concerns from his clients was the proposed amphitheater.
“The application clearly states they are going to have all types of media, amplified sounds, they want to have birthday parties, lu‘aus, concerts,” Tagupa said. “All these things will clearly create a lot of noise and will affect the neighboring lots.”
In addition to the noise, Tagupa said, his clients would also be affected by increased traffic.
Tagupa argued that the current agricultural zoning does not allow for commercial activities. But the land is zoned such because the Porters, after hearing community concerns, had asked for a zoning change.
The project’s area may be under the endangered Newell’s shearwaters’ flight path, but there’s no lighting plans, Tagupa added.
The application also fails to mention what type of wastewater system Anaina Hou will utilize, according to Tagupa, although the application notes a biological process.
Representation
The KRCA board, however, never told the members of the association that they hired counsel and would seek intervenor status, said attorney Randy Vitousek, who represents Anaina Hou.
“They just published a notice on the door of the association’s office,” he said. “When they say they’re acting on behalf of the members, that’s not an entirely true statement.”
Commissioners questioned how many of the 181 KRCA members the board really represents.
“I represent the association, right? The association is managed by the board, and the board made the decision to file this petition for intervention,” said Tagupa, adding he didn’t know how many of the members support the intervention.
Kilauea Ridge resident Dwayne Carlson, however, said he talked to a number of Kalihiwai Ridge residents and they all support Anaina Hou.
He said he received a couple months ago an unsigned letter in opposition to the project. “Then I received two more and found out that these were sent to the entire association.”
Carlson said he was “extremely disappointed” to see certain members of the association trying so hard to undermine the project by telling lies and being deceitful, and not even having the courage to sign the letter.
Inquired by Carlson, KRCA management told him the bulk of these letters came from Board President James Gair, who also had a letter published April 14 in The Garden Island newspaper, in which he states he represents the 180-plus residents and landowners of Kalihiwai Ridge.
“The author of these letters is a coward,” he said. “We should not let a few individuals ruin such a meaningful project that will benefit so many.”
Compromise
KRCA Vice President Mark Rassi said he is “very much” in favor of all the positive things of the project.
“But I do want to ask some questions,” he said. “Why do we not see on paper their hours of operation? Why do we not have a clear plan on how they’re going to deal with septic waste?”
Rassi said the possible noise and odor nuisances could “very negatively affect the life of several people who live adjacent to this project.”
While in favor of the movie theater, he opposed the amphitheater, and suggested that they build a covered theater such as the Performing Arts Center at Kaua‘i Community College.
The majority of public testimony from the roughly 50 people who crowded the meeting room last week showed support for the Anaina Hou project.
The meeting’s agenda listed 15 letters in opposition to the project, and 56 letters in support. Two of the support letters contained 136 signatures endorsing Anaina Hou.
The commission is supposed to revisit the issue Sept. 28.
Go to www.kauai.gov or www.anainahou.com for more information.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
LIHU‘E — The old Kilauea movie theater closed down many yearsago, and in 2008 the Kapa‘a movie theater was the latest casualty.The closest movie theater for North Shore residents is inLihu‘e.
The Anaina Hou project, however, might give North Shore residents amuch-expected place to watch movies.
“The Kilauea pavilion is the focal point of this project; peopleare really excited about it,” said project manager MichaelKaplan.
William and Joan Porter bought 15 acres of land just north ofKilauea Town’s main entrance. The property’s previous owners hadplans to build a shopping center there, a project opposed by thecommunity, Kaplan said.
The Porters held public meetings, where the community said theywanted a place where they could have entertainment, conductagricultural activities, and also some kind of project that wouldhelp with transportation.
“All of our uses came out of public meetings,” Kaplan said.
Today, Anaina Hou is close to becoming reality.
The project’s Phase I is currently underway. Kaplan said aminiature two-acre golf course and a Park & Ride facilityshould be ready by fall.
Park & Ride facilities are increasing steadily all over theisland. Drivers can park their cars and catch a Kaua‘i Bus expressroute to Lihu‘e. The bus currently has Park & Ride facilitiesin Kapa‘a, Kalaheo, Hanapepe, Waimea and Kekaha.
Phase II of the project, if it gets approved, should take about twoyears to finish. Kaplan said it will probably take one year ofpermitting and one year of building.
The second phase will offer the community a 250-seat theater, a250-seat amphitheater, a certified commercial kitchen and aconference room.
Kaplan said the theater will be roughly the size of the old Kilaueamovie theater.
The amphitheater will be used for concerts.
“The property has a nice hillside,” Kaplan said. “We’re going toput seats on the hill and form some sort of amphitheater-styleseating.”
Kaplan said the amphitheater won’t be visible from the road.
“We haven’t fully designed it yet, but as far as acoustics go wewant it to be able to reflect the sound,” Kaplan said.
The conference room will have wireless capabilities, and couldpotentially become a Kaua‘i Community College classroom.
The certified commercial kitchen will be used for catering events,as a movie-night concession stand, and also for local farmers whowould like to rent it out to make value-added products.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252)or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
