Aloha Supporters of Open Space and SOSHui.org.

Summary of October 6, 2021 County Council Meeting – Bills 2822 & 2838

The County Council Meeting voted on the two pending bills that would protect Kaua‘i’s Open-zoned space and, in a unanimous vote, dropped Bill 2822 which was introduced in April 2021 by Council members Evslin and Chock. Bill 2822 previously went before the Planning Commission on two occasions; in July the bill was deferred at the Planning Director’s request and re-calendared for the September meeting. At the September meeting, changes to the bill were introduced and it then unanimously passed the Planning Commission. Due to the changes proposed by the Planning Commission, a new bill was introduced--Bill 2838 effectively replaces Bill 2822 and, according to its terms, commercial developed campgrounds will be prohibited on land zoned Open, Ag, and Commercial; developed campgrounds will only be allowed on Resort zoned land. Bill 2838 was then unanimously passed on First Reading.

Bill 2838’s next stop will be a public hearing. After the hearing, it will go to Council’s Planning Committee and then back to the full Council for Final reading. The final stop will be the Mayor’s office for his signature making it law. It is anticipated that this process will take approximately 7-8 weeks.

Just a reminder – Bill 2822 was introduced by Council on April 6, 2021. In late May, Starwood Capital Group, the “glamping” developers, with full knowledge of the pending legislation filed for a use permit with the Planning Department. Starwood is attempting to breach an existing contract – our 1972 Dedication – to dump 50 glamorous new resort rooms/tents on a portion of the Makai Woods Golf Course. Starwood’s first application was rejected as incomplete as was their second application. Starwood then filed a third application on the day before the September Planning Commission meeting.

The public support for legislation protecting Open Space is loud and clear on Kaua‘i. Our voices have been heard and both the Planning Commission and County Council have demonstrated their unanimous support of protecting Open Space. It’s very clear that the governmental bodies on this island are committed to curbing unbridled resort expansion driven under the guise of “camping”.

Bill 2838 will protect Open-zoned lands from this sort of development, but time is definitely of the essence for its passage. It is obvious that Starwood (and, according to the Planning Director, a flurry of others) are filing application for use permits during the pendency of this legislation in an effort to slip under the curtain before their proposed projects are prohibited.

We must continue to raise our voices in support of the legislation and against the efforts of Starwood to try to influence the Princeville at Hanalei Community Association to support glamping. It is exquisitely clear that the public and our government is against this type of resort expansion. We must continue to support the County in its effort to finish what Council Members have begun.

Mahalo nui loa for your ongoing support!
SOSHui.org