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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

9/25/21 - Summary notes from the 9/16/21 PHCA Board Meeting.
This was a rather contentious meeting run by PHCA's hired parliamentarian where the Board's update on Starwood Capital and glamping was read by GM Maylette Garces with little opportunity for the community to ask questions. There were statements by the Board noting the ongoing legal petition by individual residents to the Hawaii Court asking for declarative judgment on the sole issue of whether glamping is ancillary to golf.
Summary of September 16, 2021 PHCA Board Meeting
Re: Starwood Capital’s Glamping/Resort Expansion Project

Our apologies for the delay in getting this summary out. First, we were rather taken aback by the contentiousness in general and lack of discussion regarding the Starwood Capital Group’s resort expansion efforts in the meeting. To say the least, it was a long and vexing meeting chaired by the Board’s hired parliamentarian, Steve Glanstein.

The discussion of issues (on the limited occasions it was allowed by the parliamentarian) and the chat line were replete with frustration and contention. Members present at the meeting expressed concern with the Board’s lack of transparency; the parliamentarian’s refusal to allow discussion of important issues; the Board’s refusal to clearly answer questions; an apparent disabling of the Zoom chat function allowing private chats between members; complaints of rude treatment and the disabling of mics by the parliamentarian.

This summary addresses the key points of the meeting.

In addition to Starwood Capital Group’s Glamping Project, the September PHCA meeting included a proposal from another mainland developer who seeks to get a Special Use Permit for the development of another Open Space “green belt” property, Parcel ID 540050370000 on the County tax rolls. We are aware of the problems presently existing in the neighborhood near Queen’s Bath and it is clear from the discussions at the meeting that Queen’s Bath is another hot button issue that deserves careful consideration by the Board, the membership (particularly all the adjoining neighboring property owners), and all other stakeholders affected by the proposal.

We understand that a committee may be formed to study the situation and make recommendations regarding the project. Stay tuned.

Now on to Glamping/Resort Expansion:

The best news first – Bill 2822, with Council-approved Planning Department changes, was passed unanimously by the Planning Commission so it now goes back to the County Council for a 2nd reading. We anticipate it will be on the next Council meeting agenda. As a Council-sponsored bill we expect it to pass and then move on for signature by the Mayor. This should happen sooner rather than later.

Why wouldn’t the PHCA Board WANT a judicial determination of whether glamping is illegal under the Dedication?

A Petition for Declaratory Relief has been filed in court seeking judicial determination of the single issue of whether glamping is ancillary to golf. The only party named as a defendant in the suit was Starwood Capital Group/SOF-XI. THE PETITION DOES NOT SEEK ANY MONETARY DAMAGES nor are money damages available in this type of lawsuit.

The Facts:

  • The Petition for Declaratory Relief was filed by Lorraine Mull and another PHCA member. Lorraine is married to Tom Mull who is a candidate in the upcoming board election. Former Hawaii Attorney General Margery Bronster is counsel for the petitioners. When questioned about any potential conflicts of interest, we have learned that, prior to filing the Petition, Ms. Bronster advised Mrs. Mull that the Petition presented no conflict of interest should Mr. Mull decide to run for the PHCA board.

  • Starwood filed a Motion to Dismiss the lawsuit which was accompanied by a Declaration supporting their action for dismissal by PHCA President Sam George.

  • Judge Watanabe denied Starwood’s Motion to Dismiss and, subsequent to that, Starwood filed a Third-Party Demand that brought PHCA into the lawsuit as defendants. Contrary to Mr. George’s statements at the meeting, PHCA has indeed been sued by Starwood; the fact that the suit has not yet been served on PHCA does not change that fact.

A Princeville resident attending the meeting implied that PHCA candidate Tom Mull might benefit financially from a judicial ruling in favor of the plaintiffs. That is clearly not the case as there are no money damages sought in the lawsuit. However, since the issue of conflicts of interest has been raised, we wonder about the appearance of impropriety resulting from the fact that Mr. George has officially sided with Starwood in its Motion to Dismiss the case.

The real beneficiaries of a judicial ruling that glamping is not “ancillary to golf” will be the Owners of Land in Princeville who are protected by the Dedication.

For those of you in PV1 – PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming election for the 2 open board member seats. BALLOTS ARE VERY CONFUSING, AND WE ARE ALL WAITING FOR CLARIFICATION ON HOW TO VOTE for selected candidates; the email that was intended to help only muddied the waters further. Please keep an eye out for the ballot – they are in the mail. We would like to see Tom Mull elected because of his clearly stated position to defend the Dedication and preserve our Open Space; we believe the Board needs a strong counterpoint to the present president’s “let’s make a deal” approach. All the candidates are qualified, committed members of this community so we encourage you to read their bios that accompany your ballot. Cumulative voting is allowed under the PHCA rules; this means two votes can be cast for one candidate.

Thank you for reading to this point – for a more detailed report on this portion of the meeting, including our point-by-point response to PHCA’s posted statement regarding glamping, please visit SOSHui.org, to read the rest of the story.

As always, Mahalo Nui Loa for your ongoing support!
SOSHui.org

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.)
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.