September 14, 2021

Aloha Supporters of Open Space – it was a GOOD DAY TODAY!

BILL 2822

As many of you know, Bill 2822 which, once signed by Mayor, will prohibit developed campgrounds on Open-zoned space came before the County Planning Commission today, September 14, 2021.

It was voted on, and Bill 2822 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The online session started late due to technical difficulties, and not everyone who signed up to give oral testimony made it through, but for those who did, we thank you so much for waiting your turn and voicing your concerns to the Commission. We truly believe your voices and your emails in support made a real difference.

Now, what does that mean, and how does it affect our specific Princeville-related glamping issues?

1. Passage of Bill 2822 by the Planning Commission does NOT immediately terminate the proposed glamping development by Starwood Capital Group. It is not yet law. It will go back to County Council for a second reading and will then make it to the Mayor’s desk.

We expect SCG will continue to pursue their glamping proposal for a special use permit on the Woods Golf Course, in hopes it will be accepted by the Planning Department and approved by the Planning Commission before the final signing of the Bill in the coming weeks.

2. Passage of the Bill means the Planning Department had an opportunity to review its merits. They proposed only a few key changes. First, they proposed language to make the definitions of Developed and Undeveloped Campgrounds more clear; and second, they agreed with the Bill’s original authors, Councilmembers Chock & Evslin, that removing the section about TVRs within a VDA (as there are some in Open-zoned space now) for consideration at a later time was the best way forward. Finally, the bill also prohibits commercial developed campgrounds on commercial space; they will now only be allowed on Resort zoned land, which is appropriate.

The Planning Commission accepted the revisions from the Planning Department and voted unanimously to accept the Department’s version of Bill 2822.

3. So, what does this mean to you?

Bill 2822 was designed to cover all of Kauai, not just the SCG resort expansion/glamping fiasco we are all experiencing in Princeville. There were several mentions of that by Planning Director Hull and members of the Commission in their deliberations.

We believe it should be taken as a positive step towards Kauaʻi’s recognition that adding more tourist accommodations results in more pain for the Island with more stress on all of the people and all of the infrastructure – water, sewer, roads, traffic, parking, everything. It should be a clear signal to SCG that county officials recognize and agree that the proposed glamping development is a non-starter, and we hope they will recognize that their project is ill-conceived for this Princeville community and the county at large.

What is does say is that we can be thankful that our voices have been heard, but let’s not let our guard down—we have more to do to close down any glamping development on Princeville’s Open Space.

The full version of the oral testimonies and commission discussion will be posted on the (https://www.kauai.gov/Webcast-Meetings) website in due course.

GET OUT THE MESSAGE ACTIVITIES

On a related topic, we wanted to update you on this past Saturday’s “get out the message” volunteer sign waving, handing out info, and helping both residents and visitors understand what the proposed glamping resort expansion in Princeville means to us all.

Supporters of SOS Hui’s stance against glamping were willing to brave the damp weather and position themselves at the entrance of Princeville and at the Anaina Hou grounds in Kilauea. From all reports, it was a great success with an overwhelming number of passersby either asking for materials or simply supporting the efforts with a honk or a shaka. This effort was hastily put together, and we want to truly thank all those who volunteered. It speaks to the many who are willing to not only give lip service to stopping glamping, but to actually put their bodies where their words are. A special… Mahalo Nui Loa.

PHCA MONTHLY BOARD MEETING – Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021

We want to remind you of the VERY IMPORTANT upcoming PHCA Board meeting this Thursday 9/16 at 4pm HST. It is a chance for you to hear from candidates who will talk about why they want to join the PHCA Board at the October board election.

Finally, it has come to our attention that Starwood Capital Group has submitted a Third Party Complaint to the Hawaii Court. Starwood Capital Group has brought the PHCA into the action as defendants in the Petition for Declaratory Relief which is presently before Judge Watanabe. It is a strong arm tactic and we believe it is a thinly veiled threat to get the PHCA to cooperate with their attempt to get PHCA to support glamping.

As is our custom, we will post this and all glamping news on the SOSHui.org website. Please feel free to pass this on to others who might want to know more.

Sincere appreciation to everyone involved,
SOSHui.org