Reproduced with the permission of the Lahaina News, 7/20/97:

North Beach issues to be dissected in lengthy hearings

BY MARK VIETH

Editor

7/20/97

LAHAINA -- A decision on a time share condominium at North Beach is probably several months away, with the Planning Commission deciding unanimously to send two North Beach issues to a trial of sorts.

After a long public hearing last week Thursday, the Maui Planning Commission decided to allow Robert H. Buchanan, David and Elizabeth Chenoweth, Randy Draper and James and Joanne Johnson to intervene on two matters linked to North Beach.

The first item is a request before the commission by Amfac Maui and Ka'anapali Ownership Resorts L.P. for a Special Management Area Permit to build a 280-unit time share condominium next to Kahekili Park.

Many of the workers who were given free dinners in exchange for showing up, were also told by developers and AMFAC to bring their families if they wanted free food as well.

The second is a request by Amfac Maui, on behalf of the Kaanapali North Beach Joint Venture, for clarification on whether widening Honoapiilani Highway in Kaanapali satisfies the "other (traffic) mitigative measures" condition of the 1988 SMA Permit to subdivide North Beach. The condition must be met before a new resort may operate there.

Before an overflowing crowd at Lahaina Intermediate School, Amfac Maui -- supported in force by contractors and members of the Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens Club, many of whom were bussed in for the meeting, given shirts and fed supper -- presented plans for the time share.

Consultants providing testimony for Amfac included coastal environmental consultant Bob Bourke of Oceanit Laboratories, who told commissioners that Amfac has changed its plans to address environmental concerns about the project.

He also told them to not buy into the "false banner" of "environmental distress" that people who oppose the project would present later in the public hearing.

During the hearing, Fred Higuchi said the time share, the Ka'anapali Ocean Resort, will provide economic growth for the future, and create jobs for Maui's young people.

Other arguments in support of the project -- presented largely by the seniors, builders and union representatives -- were that Amfac played a major role in developing West Maui, and the company contributes to the community.

Councilman Wayne Nishiki presented a resolution on behalf of the council, urging commissioners to tour North Beach before making a decision on the time share.

"As elected officials we have not done a good job for the West Side community. I am embarrassed. This is the last sandy beach to preserve for the public," he said.

Speaking about runoff problems, James Johnson presented a video on the flooding at North Beach on Jan. 5 and 20.

David Chenoweth questioned the validity of a traffic study commissioned by Amfac which concluded that widening Honoapiilani Highway in Kaanapali can handle the traffic generated by the time share. He said the Sheraton Maui was closed at the time of the study in January, and it was a slow time for tourism.

George Fujiwara pleaded for a park at North Beach.

"I need to be able to take my grandchildren to the park. I don't want them to be like me. I want them to go to college. I don't want them to work in hotels, and want them to be better than me," he said.

Through the commission's decision to allow the parties to intervene, the two matters will be dissected together in a contested case hearing, where both sides will present evidence and have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses.

A hearings officer paid by the county to run the contested case is selected by the commission and approved by both sides. The order of preference determined at last week's meeting is Joel August, Douglas Sameshima, and Guy Haywood.

At the conclusion of the contested case, which could take several months, the officer will prepare a report with findings and recommendations for the commission.

Psy 412 Miami University. Last revised: Thursday, April 18, 2002 at 23:54:10. This document has been accessed 2,243 times since July 15, 1997. Comments & Questions to R. Sherman .