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Media & Events

This page contains Media and Event information pertaining to the potential development of the open space in Princeville, Kauai HI, by the private investment firm, Starwood Capital Group.

Meetings & Events
10/23/23 - Results and Thoughts on the 2023 PHCA Board Elections
The property owners of Princeville 1 voted for this year's 2 open positions on the PHCA Board of Directors. Find out who won and importantly where the source of the votes came from.
1/5/23 - Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami's inauguration speech held Dec 1, 2022.
"Gone are the days of parading around paradise to one and all. For those of us who are privileged enough to call this island home, we have a responsibility to care for it. And for those who wish to visit, there will be ground rules. Because here on Kauai, we take our shoes off at the door and we leave a light footprint."
3/31/22 - Summary of the 3/17/22 PHCA Board Meeting
J.D. Hansen chosen as new BoD member, Starwood Capital transplanting Kukui trees to 1Hotel entrance, Michael Cole's presentation regarding ongoing Hawaiian Village (Waimaumau park) alternatives.
12/7/21 - Mayor Kawakami signed Bill 2838 on Dec. 2, 2021 into law. Glamping is no more!
Mayor Kawakami signed Bill 2838 on December 2, 2021 resulting in Ordinance 1105 prohibiting Developed Campgrounds (ie. glamping) on Open & Ag lands across Kaua‘i. Read about the details behind Bill 2838.
12/1/21 - The Kaua‘i County Council unanimously passes Bill 2838.
Having passed Bill 2838, the next step is for Mayor Kawakami to sign it into law. Once in law, it will prohibit Developed Campgrounds (ie. glamping) on zoned Open Space across all of Kaua‘i. This stops glamping in Princeville. Click this event's title to play a short video of the actual vote and passage of Bill 2838.
12/1/21 - Starwood Capital Group is planning on withdrawing their glamping permits application.
We received news Tuesday morning that Starwood Capital Group is planning to withdraw their glamping permits application on the Open-Zoned land, on Princeville’s Makai Woods Golf Course holes 1-3.
11/21/21 - Summary of 11/19/21 PHCA BoD Mtg & BoD petition to be "Intervenors" at Starwood's 12/14 Commission Hearing
PHCA decided to petition the Planning Commission to be included as “Intervenors” in Starwood Capital Group’s application to build the Developed Campground (aka “glamping”) on the Makai Golf Course. There's also a link to the full "Notice of Public Hearing Before The Planning Commission" letter sent to property owners within 300 ft. of the proposed "glamping" site by Starwood’s lawyers, Belles Graham LLP.
11/14/21 - PHCA Annual Mtg summary, Bill 2838 progress & Starwood/Planning Dept update
Here is the summary of the Saturday, November 6th PHCA Annual Meeting – a quick update on the legal side of the glamping/resort expansion, news on Bill 2838, Starwood Capital Group’s latest submission to the Planning Department, and filing of a Petition to Intervene in the fight against this proposed glamping development.

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Published Articles (The Garden Island, CivilBeat.org, Etc.)

3/27/21 - ALOHA ‘AINA - PRINCEVILLE TURNS 50!
By Princeville resident, Lorraine Mull; Archived PDF
ALOHA ‘AINA
PRINCEVILLE TURNS 50!

MALAMA THE LAND

It was 50 years ago this month that the Charter authorizing the Princeville at Hanalei Community Association, Protective Covenants, and By-Laws were signed and filed in the Bureau of Conveyances. Work was nearing completion on the spectacular 27-hole Makai Golf Course which opened in the winter of 1971.

Looking back 50 years later, it is important to recognize that Princeville has played an important role in open space history on the North Shore. During the reign of Kamehameha III, ambitious planters experimented with crops such as sugar, pineapple, coffee, and tobacco. In 1831, the land was transformed into one of the first ranches in Hawaii when the land was leased for cattle raising by the British consul to the Hawaiian Islands and longhorn cattle were brought in from California. As a result, the Hawaiian paniolo tradition was born nearly two decades before the American cowboy became an iconic figure of the West. (Parker Ranch on the Big Island opened five years later in 1836). Beef was salted and sold to the whalers and butter was exported to Honolulu. In the 1860s, the sweeping lands of Princeville earned their name as a tribute to the only son of Kamehameha IV, Prince Albert.

Ranching and pineapple farming on the sprawling 4000 acres of Princeville continued for decades under several owners. Eagle County Development Corporation from Colorado bought the ranchland from the Lihue Plantation Company in 1969 and ranching operations continue to this day, now run by the Carswell family. In 1978, Curly Carswell and his wife, Gale, the owners of the Po‘oku Stables on the Princeville ranch lands, began offering the first horseback riding adventures on the North Shore. A year later in 1979, they founded the Hanalei Stampede Rodeo, a statewide rodeo that was held for 12 years. It was one of the largest rodeos in the State and horses from across the islands were barged in for paniolo to compete in the event. Held during the relatively dry month of August, the famous Hanalei rains flooded the Princeville arena on more than a few occasions to create a wild and muddy event. Renowned as one of the most popular rodeos in Hawaii, paniolo such as Corky Bryan, Paniolo Hall of Fame Cattleman of the Year in 2006, and kama‘aina from around the state have been heard to fondly reminisce about the Hanalei Stampede Rodeo.

In 1970, the Hawaii Land Use Commission approved the development of approximately 1000 acres of the Princeville ranchland to become the first Master-Planned community in Hawaii. Centered around 27 holes of award-winning golf course interspersed by residential neighborhoods designed to provide spectacular views and a reverence for community, this idyllic slice of paradise has played a special role in preserving the North Shore as a place of extraordinary beauty designed around open space.

In a “talk story” last fall, Princeville’s original chief engineer, Donn “Curly” Carswell, and golf legend Robert Trent “Bobby” Jones, Jr., the designer of the championship 27-hole Makai Golf Course, got together and reminisced about riding the territory on horseback and the beginnings of the community known as Princeville at Hanalei. According to Curly, the most beautiful land and vistas were specifically reserved for the golf course under the Master Plan in order to maintain the breath-taking views and as a strategy to comply with the Land Use Commission’s requirement of a roughly equal balance between open and developed space.

“I vividly remember late afternoons from the sites overlooking Hanalei Bay when we were developing the Master Plan and thinking that the sunsets from this view would awaken a mummy,” said Bobby. “Of equal importance was the integration of subterranean infrastructure consisting of water, drainage, irrigation, and the only sewage treatment facility on the North Shore, as well as roads and underground utilities, into the plan. The land is glorious but Princeville would not have been possible if Curly hadn’t found the water source. Seeing our Master Plan mature into this spectacular community for residents and visitors alike has been heart-warming to say the least. I’m honored to be here to see it turn 50.”

Curly, who sadly passed away in February, will always be remembered for his role in shaping Princeville at Hanalei and stewarding the Princeville Ranch. An icon in the community, Curly was beloved and revered on the North Shore. Born and raised on O‘ahu he was an outstanding student and Hall of Fame athlete at Punahou who played in the 1952 Aloha Bowl, lettered in track and paddled for the Outrigger Canoe Club. After his graduation from Punahou, he earned his degree in civil engineering from Stanford University where he was an All-American football player. After a five-year stint in the Marines, he married his wife of 56 years, Gale Fisher, a descendant of Abner Wilcox, and together they raised their four children on the North Shore of Kauai. He was a good and true friend, neighbor, and man of his word who was highly respected and well loved. His vivid tales of taming the area of the ranchland that became the Princeville at Hanalei community, as well as his life of global adventures, continue to amaze all who were fortunate enough to know him. His ‘ohana continue to run Po‘oku Stables and the cattle operation.

Fifty years later, we continue to be thankful for the hard work, vision, and master planning that enabled Princeville to bloom into the treasured community of open space and sweeping vistas it is today. Stewardship of this special place is left in the hands of the citizens of Princeville at Hanalei, the people of the North Shore, and everyone else who respects the mana of this land and recognizes the importance of preserving its open space.

Princeville at 50 !

4/24/21 - Celebrating Mother Earth
Written by a Princeville resident celebrating Earth Day, 2021.

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Past emails sent to the SOS Hui News email list

Email Templates for quickly sending emails
11/29/21 - Email Template supporting the 12/1/21 County Council's passage of Bill 2838
The Kauai County Council will have its second and last reading of Bill 2830 on Wed. Dec 1st, 2021 and voting to move it forward for signature by the Mayor. This is a template you can use to submit your support of the Council's voting for passage of Bill 2838.
9/5/21 - Email Template for the 9/14/21 Planning Commission expressing your support for Bill 2822.
The Kauai Planning Commission will hear public testimony on the merits of proposed Bill 2822 on Tuesday 9/14/21. The SOS Hui fully supports the Bill as it better defines "Developed Campgrounds" and specifically states that they are NOT ALLOWED in Open or Residential zoned areas. If Bill 2822 passes into law, it will make "glamping" illegal on Open zoned lands, which includes the Makai Golf Course. We have created an email template you can use to email your comments to the Planning Commission and the County Council.
7/1/21 - Email Template to the County Planning Commission expressing your support for Bill 2822.
The Kauai Planning Commission will hear public testimony on the merits of proposed Bill 2822 on 7/13/21. The SOS Hui fully supports the Bill as it better defines "Developed Campgrounds" and specifically states that they are NOT ALLOWED in Open or Residential zoned areas. If Bill 2822 passes into law, it will make "glamping" illegal on Open zoned lands, which includes the Makai Golf Course. We have created an email template you can use to email your comments to the Planning Commission.
7/1/21 - Email Template to the PHCA Board of Directors requesting they support County Bill 2822.
Please fill out the short email template and send it (or create your own) requesting the PHCA BoD support County Bill 2822 at the 7/13/21 County Planning Commission public hearing where it will be discussed and open to public testimony.
6/13/21 - Email Template to the PHCA BoD before their 6/16/21 Execute Meeting.
We believe the PHCA Board of Directors is planning to vote soon on whether to support Starwood Capital Group’s plans to expand the 1 Hotel resort onto the Makai Woods golf course and elsewhere. We ask all concerned Princeville citizens (PV-1 and PV- 2) to contact them asking them to save all Open Space and oppose this development plan. Use this short email template or write your own email to send to the PHCA Board of Directors before their 6/16/21 Executive Meeting.

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Surveys
1/1/21 - Results from the Dec 2020 PHCA Homeowners' Survey.
View the responses to each of the survey's questions. It appears to this writer that those willing to take the time to fill out the survey (782) are very much opposed to losing existing open space in Princeville. The final tally of (782) respondents exceeded by almost double what PHCA President Sam George noted at the prior meeting as being statistically significant to be a valid response. Take a moment and review the details.


Tourism & County Council Information

Tourism on Kaua‘i
2/5/21 - The Kaua‘i Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP)
The DMAP is a community-based plan, divided into three, year-long phases. There are 9 high-level actions with 34 sub-actions in Phase 1. This report highlights the collective initiatives in Phase 1.
11/8/16 - Don’t Ignore The Latest Version of Kauai’s ‘Bible’
The island’s proposed new General Plan is required reading for anyone truly interested in the future of the place.
By Luke Evslin (Civil Beat)
10/7/16 - Time To Put The Brakes On Tourism
With an economy predicated on the unlimited growth of tourism, we will never be able to take the hard steps necessary for economic diversification.
By Luke Evslin (Civil Beat)
9/28/16 - Excessive Tourism Seems To Be A Taboo Topic
Just one person — and not who you might expect — seemed willing to address the issue at the World Conservation Congress.
By Luke Evslin (Civil Beat)

Nov. 2022 County Council Candidates
9/17/22 - Nov. 8, 2022 Elections Guide (Civil Beat)
Hawaii’s 2022 Nov. 8th elections are right around the corner. Honolulu's Civil Beat magazine put together an election guide to help with candidate positions and more. Click the Election Guide to review Kauai's County Council candidates and their responses to a set of questions posed by Civil Beat.