LIHU‘E — The project that many North Shore residents have been waiting for — and some haven’t — for years is a hair closer to completion. Project Manager Michael Kaplan said the project’s first phase should open soon. “The miniature
LIHU‘E — The project that many North Shore residents have been waiting for — and some haven’t — for years is a hair closer to completion.
Project Manager Michael Kaplan said the project’s first phase should open soon.
“The miniature golf course and the park-and-ride are rounding up construction,” he said. “We hope to be open in the end of November or early December.”
The miniature golf course, measuring about two acres, is an 18-hole course set among botanical gardens representing the different eras of Hawai‘i.
The first few holes go through gardens reflecting the island before human contact. As the course progresses, it tells the Polynesian discovery of the islands, according to the Anaina Hou website.
The park-and-ride facility is a County of Kaua‘i program, where drivers can park their cars and catch The Kaua‘i Bus express route to Lihu‘e. The program is steadily increasing, and has facilities in Kapa‘a, Kalaheo, Hanapepe, Waimea and Kekaha.
Kaplan said he’s not sure if the Anaina Hou park-and-ride will offer express (nonstop) service to Lihu‘e.
“Once it’s closer to completion we’re going to meet with The Kaua‘i Bus to sort of establish some of the logistics,” he said.
The whole Anaina Hou project covers roughly 15 acres. The project is located just mauka of Kuhio Highway near the northern entrance to Kilauea town.
Phase II draws opposition
The second phase of the project proposes a 250-seat theater, a 250-seat amphitheater, a certified commercial kitchen and a conference room.
The board of the Kalihiwai Ridge Community Association, however, in June filed a petition to intervene before the Planning Commission, alleging a number of issues need to be explained before the commission grants permits for the second phase.
Some of those issues were related to noise pollution and increased traffic. Many properties in Kalihiwai Ridge border the property line of Anaina Hou.
Some Kalihiwai Ridge residents, however, questioned the validity of the intervention, saying KRCA board President Jim Gair does not represent the 180-plus residents and landowners of Kalihiwai Ridge.
Several letters to the editor indicate a community divided on whether or not an outdoor amphitheater, movie theater and auditorium are wanted in Kilauea.
The commission nevertheless approved in June the KRCA intervention, making the permitting process a contested-case hearing, which is something like a judicial proceeding where witnesses may be called and are sworn to tell the truth under oath.
Kaplan said hearings officer Richard Nakamura will now preside over the case and present findings of facts to the commission, which won’t be involved until the very end.
“Based on the findings of facts the Planning Commission will make their decision,” Kaplan said.
Nakamura is a lawyer from off-island, a neutral party who supposedly doesn’t know anything about the case, according to Kaplan.
“Now it’s just more waiting. We have to have (a) pre-conference meeting to establish when it’s going to happen,” said Kaplan, adding that Nakamura should contact the parties involved soon.
Anaina Hou, the county and KRCA will be the three parties involved in the conference.
Go to www.anainahou.com for more information about the project.
