Aloha,
You are owners in Princeville and surroundings. We have the collective responsibility to respect and protect the Open Space.You are owners in Princeville and surroundings. We have the collective responsibility to respect and protect the Open Space. We all cherish this special place where we live and bring you greetings and updates on our activities.

Who We Are: Save Open Space Hui, founded in Princeville, is a 501(c)(4), a non-profit organization with a handful of committed volunteers. Since 2020, this small band of your neighbors has provided leadership with honesty, credibility, and vision to protect the environment, preserve the greenbelt, and save our way of life.

We welcome new supporters!


History: The history of Princeville and surrounding area is important and it matters--especially in an environmentally and ecologically sensitive place like our home, the North Shore of Kaua‘i, which hosts more endangered and threatened species (flora and fauna) than any other place on the planet.

Laysan Albatross

Gallinule endangered species

Master-Planned Community: Princeville’s original Master Plan was carefully designed with a mindful respect for these endangered and threatened species, the necessity of good drainage in one of the wettest places on earth, and the importance of preserving the sweeping vistas for all to enjoy. The Master Plan designates roughly half of the land for single and multi-family dwellings, hotels, and commercial space. The remaining half is preserved as Open Space, secured by the Dedicated 27-hole Makai Golf Course and other green belt areas.



2020: THE FIGHT TO SAVE PRINCEVILLE’S OPEN SPACE BEGINS
Starwood Capital Group, a large private equity firm and present owner of 1 Hotel Hanalei and the 27-holes of the original Makai Golf Course in Princeville, attempts a 50-tent glamping resort as their first development on the Woods Golf Course. Volunteers provide knowledge to the community about this assault on the Open Space through SOSHui.org website.

In the 2020 PHCA survey, 94% of Princeville community respondents stated that NO development of Princeville’s Open Space is "somewhat", "fairly" or "very" important.

2021: SOS Hui LEADS BATTLE TO STOP GLAMPING
Eighteen months of community activism defeats glamping with the passage of the island-wide County Ordinance 1105. It prohibits glamping on any land not zoned “Resort”. Although Starwood Capital Group then withdrew their glamping development application, the battle to stop future development IS NOT OVER!

The battle protecting Open Space is ongoing!

2021-2022: LEGAL PROCEEDING CHALLENGES STARWOOD
To prevent future development of the Open Space designated in the original Princeville Master Plan, a team of local residents initiates a critical legal action in Hawai‘i State Court to determine if glamping or other overnight accommodations are legal under Princeville’s protective Golf Course Dedication, which is explicitly a Restriction under the CC&Rs of Princeville at Hanalei.

The litigation battle ramps up with multiple court hearings, court filings, depositions, and thousands of pages exchanged between the parties during discovery. Starwood’s repeated failures to follow the Court’s orders result in the imposition of multiple financial sanctions being imposed on them.

Starwood states their intent to maximize profits by building a new multi-story housing development on some or all 27 holes of the original Makai Golf Course in 2026.

2023: LEGAL PROCEEDING AGAINST STARWOOD CONTINUES
The fight to preclude the initial development on the Dedicated Open Space and set a precedent barring even more development continues. On August 2, 2023, the Judge rules in favor of the local residents that glamping and other overnight accommodations are NOT permitted under the Golf Course Dedication. In October 2023, Starwood removes the case from the Hawai‘i State Court in Lihu‘e to the Federal District Court in Honolulu.

Starwood continues to assert that they can pursue development on the Dedicated Space. So, the court fight continues.

2024: A TRIAL DATE IS SET!
In February 2024, the Federal Judge rules that the case belongs in Hawai‘i State Court and sent the case back to the local Kaua‘i Judge.

A trial date of January 2025 is now set in the Lihu‘e courthouse.


NEWS FLASH: SURVEYING OF THE WOODS COURSE
Just this past week, surveyors have been taking topographic measurements of the ENTIRE Woods Golf Course. We believe it's being done to initiate a high density multi-story residential development that will cover large swaths of Princeville’s Open Space.

Starwood Capital Group’s stated goal is to reward their investors by developing the Open Space.
It’s happening NOW if no one moves to STOP IT.


How You Can Help: Your action today impacts the future of Princeville and the North Shore! Join the fight to Save Open Space for your children and their children.

• Share this information with your friends and neighbors. We are all impacted whether or not you live directly on the golf course.
  
• Be active in Princeville at Hanalei Community Association (PHCA) meetings. Voice your concerns. Ask questions.
  
• Donate to our legal battle. Fighting a behemoth like Starwood Capital Group is expensive.

We welcome your support. Click below to make your donation today!

DONATE NOW or visit SOSHui.org TO DONATE

For more details about how glamping was defeated, news articles, testimonials, FAQ's, government proceedings and more, please check our SOSHui.org website. You can contact us directly by emailing us at contact@soshui.org.

Mahalo nui loa for your kind attention.
-SOS Hui