Wednesday, Sept. 25, 1968 | Volume I, Issue IX
ON THE COVER
“More Land Needed For Keahole Airport Project”
By Jim Langdon, editor
It’s official. The Keahole Airport Project — originally conceived to service only interisland traffic — is destined to become an international airport. And, regardless what alignment is ultimately selected by the state Department of Transportation, additional private lands will be required.
DOT Director Fujio Matsuda also elaborated on the so-called “realignment” issue, telling WHT that apparently there was a misunderstanding stemming from a 1962 report and what was presented at a public meeting. He noted that a planner has been hired to study the alignment but emphasized that the alignment is still tentative and that a final decision has yet to be rendered.
The intercontinental airport would require more than 2 miles of runway, 12,000 feet to be exact. Cost estimates are not complete, however, they will run “well into the millions,” Matsuda said. The state would begin assessing land acquisition once a master plan was complete, which was expected within the month.
“A Question Of Zoning Worth $200 Million”
No byline
Boise Cascade presents to the state Land Use Commission a $200 million proposal to develop a resort and recreation village on 31,000 acres extending from Anaehoomalu Bay to Mamalahoa Highway in South Kohala (Queen Kaahumanu Highway didn’t exist at this time). Boise Cascade’s subsidiary, U.S. Land, either owns or has options to purchase all the land in question.
The commission was taking up a rezoning request by Boise Cascade and U.S. Land to render 550 acres along the coast from conservation district to urban district. The developers also sought rezoning of 5,300 acres mauka from agricultural to urban for residential development.
Another 15,000 acres would be set aside as “open space” between the resort complex and surrounding the community to be used for hunting, horseback riding and other means of recreation.
Robert Pummill, general manager of the Hawaii divisionof U.S. Land, stressed the company’s intent to preserve and restore historic Hawaiian sites and artifacts, as well as create an outdoor museum as an attraction to visitors and local residents.
The production schedule called for the first units to be complete in 1969. By 1984, Pummill said, the schedule calls for a total of 2,800 hotel units, 500 rental villas, 1,500 garden apartments, and condominiums, and 7,400 single-family dwelling units. There was also plans for a small boat harbor on the north side of Anaehoomalu Bay
Pummill estimated acquisition and development costs for the entire project would run about $50 million with the ultimate investment to exceed $200 million to $250 million.
A commission staff report recommended that the petition for rezoning be denied. No decision was rendered during the Kailua-Kona meeting.
Weekly deals:
At Sure Save Super Markets: Round steak, $0.79 per pound; Mazola oil, 48 ounces for $1.07; and Mauna Kea Coffee, $0.79 per pound.
At KTA Kailua-Kona: Crystal chicken wings, two pounds for $0.69; Miko Portuguese sausage, $1.19 per pound; and one quart Best Foods mayonnaise, $0.59.
At Kamagaki Store: Darigold butter, one pound for $0.79; Patty Jean chicken thighs, two pounds, $1.15; Libby’s Vienna Sausages, five for $0.99; Zee toilet tissue, four pack for $0.39; and Libby’s pineapple juice, 46 ounces, five for $1.
Kona Realty Co. offers 76 acres zoned agriculture overlooking Kealakekua Bay for $1,500 per acre; total cost: $114,000.
Featured films:
At Aloha Theatre: “Planet of the Apes” with Charlton Heston and Kim Hunter.
At Kona Theatre: Chieko Matsubara in “Love to Eternity;” Warren Beaty in “Bonnie &Clyde” and Doris Day in “With Six You Get Eggroll.” For adults only, “Mondo Weirdo” and “Mr. Teas &His Playthings.”