South Kohala development loses permits for golf courses

KAILUA-KONA — Game over.

A permit issued a quarter century ago to construct six 18-hole Championship golf courses, a golf teaching academy and five clubhouses at Aina Lea on 3,000 acres in South Kohala is no more after Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to revoke the document.

“They didn’t meet the conditions, and have no intent or plans to complete what the permit was issued for,” said Brandi Beaudet, who served his final meeting as chairman of the commission that day, but will continue to serve as a member. “It was the more reasonable and logical thing for the planning director to revoke the permit.”

Hawaii County Planning Director Duane Kanuha recommended revocation of the permit issued in December 1991, saying repeated delays in construction left the project in violation of conditions set during its approval, including that at least three of the courses be complete by 2011.

Kanuha said the file came up as part of regular review of overdue files by planners when asked about the five years that lapsed between the deadline and Thursday’s proceedings.

And, Aina Lea’s permit revocation may not be the last as county planners continue to review previously approved plans and permits, he said.

“There’s a couple others that we’re looking at, too,” Kanuha told West Hawaii Today following Thursday’s meeting at the West Hawaii Civic Center. He declined to name specific projects, because they are currently under review by planners, but said the projects were located in West Hawaii.

The five commissioners voted in favor of the revocation following no testimony from the public. No representatives were present from Bridge Aina Lea, which owns a 1,900-acre portion of the land zoned agriculture, and Aina Lea Inc., which owns a 1,060-acre tract designated urban.

However, county Planner Maija Cottle said Bridge Aina Lea had “no plans for the 1,940 acres in the near future.” She noted that the department had sent the Saipan-based company via postal mail and email the agenda and hearing notice, Kanuha’s recommendation with background, and a petition for standing, which the company confirmed receipt.

The company did not indicate its opinion on Kanuha’s recommendation, however, Cottle said.

In regard to Aina Lea Inc., the department, she said, recently received a letter stating the developer was still looking to include a golf course in their development.

“They do intend to develop one golf course on urban lands but will submit a new use permit (application) in the future,” she said.

Robert Wessels, CEO and manager of Aina Lea Inc., declined comment on the revocation.

However, he confirmed the development plans to pursue the single course, but it is first focusing on its obligations to the community, like constructing affordable housing and an intersection at the development’s intersection with Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Construction on The Villages at Aina Lea could begin in April.

“The contractor is installing infrastructure at this moment,” he said. “It’s slow, but we’re moving.”

When Aina Lea received county approval to build the courses and accompanying infrastructure, the county zoning for the land was unplanned but five years later was amended to put an agricultural designation on all lands in the unplanned category. In 2005, the state Legislature passed Act 205 prohibiting golf courses and driving ranges on agricultural land.

Theoretically, Aina Lea’s golf courses could have been “grandfathered,” if the construction of three courses had been completed as required. But that is no more.

Also Thursday, the commission gave a favorable recommendation for Verizon Wireless to construct a 60-foot-tall cell tower on Hooper Road in Honalo, behind Kona Coffee Villas. The “monopalm,” which will feature a brown “trunk” and 12 8-foot panel antennas painted green and imitation fronds to camouflage the equipment, is needed to improve cellular communication for residents, businesses and motorists in the area, the applicant said.