Aloha,

Sincere thanks to all of you, including many “first-timers” who took the time to submit emails requesting that PHCA Board support the new County Council Bill 2822 that would prohibit “Developed Campgrounds” (a defined term that includes glamping) on Open and Agricultural zoned land as well as in residential neighborhoods. Bill 2822 passed “First Reading” at the Council by a 7-0 vote and has been referred to the Planning Commission, the next step in the County’s legislative process.

There was little to report from the PHCA Board Meeting regarding actual status of glamping, despite the Board’s having met with Starwood on April 14, 2021:

- President Sam George said the Board is still waiting for a response to a December letter it sent to the developers which contained the Board’s “pretty thorough list” of its requests in order for the PHCA Board to support glamping. Mr. George stated that the letter to SCG was “confidential” and declined to share the letter with members of the community.

- Mr. George stated that Starwood/East West Partners stated they intend to accelerate their application to the Planning Commission for a Use Permit for glamping, perhaps as early as Friday, April 16, 2021.

- Mr. George said the Princeville Board DOES endorse the new County Council Bill 2822 as far as it goes, but that it does not resolve the longer-term problem of the Dedication’s expiration in 2026. Board Member Rory Enright said that this Bill would be a first step, and would at least prohibit glamping on Open-zoned properties on Kauai. He indicated that we are fortunate that our County Council understands the broader problems and will continue to look for solutions for 2026. We’re very thankful for their assistance.

- Tom Mull presented many reasons why the developers’ attempt to put glamping or any resort expansion on Princeville’s Open Space is patently wrong. Tom noted that Starwood is asking the Board to act in concert with the developers to break a legal Dedication that runs with the land in favor of the PV landowners. In addition to their attempt to flagrantly breach the Dedication, Starwood’s latest threat is to accelerate the use permit process to get a permit for an activity that could well be illegal in the next several months. In addition to Starwood’s proposed breach of the Dedication and their apparent disregard of the County Council’s efforts to maintain Open Space, there are noise issues, and infrastructure impacts in the arenas of water management, sewer, traffic, electrical systems. Tom, as a Sunset Drive Community Association Board Member, offered to work with the PHCA Board to stop the proposed development on this Open Space.

- Scott Lindman questioned why PHCA was negotiating with Starwood at all. As a long-time resident, Scott stated that there was quite a bit of history regarding Princeville’s Open Space and offered to assist PHCA with historical documents and perspective. Sam, on behalf of the Board welcomed this offer, although he stated he believes that PHCA has all the relevant documents. He also said that the silence from Starwood hardly qualifies as negotiation, but that the Board wanted to keep all avenues of communication open.

We are monitoring applications for use permits at the Planning Department, as well as following Bill 2822 as it progresses through the Planning Commission.

We sincerely thank those who made the effort to submit their comments regarding Bill 2822 to the PHCA Board, and continue to believe this feedback helps the PHCA Board recognize how the community feels about saving Princeville’s Open Spaces.

Please keep checking the SOSHui.org website. If the developers go forward with their use permit to try and evade the pending Bill 2822 legislation, this community will need to mobilize quickly to make our voices heard,

Finally, we believe it would be a great idea for you to send thank you emails to Kauai County Council members Luke Evslin ( levslin@kauai.gov) and Mason Chock (mchock@kauai.gov) for sponsoring Bill 2822. If you would like to copy the rest of the council, you can CC: them at (councilmembers@kauai.gov).

Mahalo and aloha,
SOSHui.org

FYI: View the detail Bill 2822 (11 pages) as presented at the April 7th County Council Meeting.