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Linda Lingle Signs Bill to Acquire the Turtle Bay Resort |
| Date Added: June 06, 2008 10:17:03 AM |
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| Category: Information and Reference: General Island Info |
| Govenor Lingle Signs Bill to Buy Turtle Bay Gov. Linda Lingle signed a bill into law on June 4, 2008 that authorizes the state of Hawaii to acquire the Turetle Bay Resort and also keep the some of the undeveloped land in preservation. The bill was signed in the Northe Shore Chamber of Commerce banquet in Waimea Valley. "Preservation successes here on the North Shore show how we can create a sustainable model working by working together," Lingle told the audience last night. "You have shown the entire state that it's possible." Stanford Carr, a local developer close to Lingle, took over last month as the resort's manager and will help guide future development. Several community leaders had opposed a plan to build five new hotels with 3,500 rooms and condominium units and many have welcomed the state's intervention and desire to preserve some of the land. Lea Hong, Hawaiian Islands program director for The Trust for Public Land, said the idea for the state to acquire the land is moving forward surprisingly quickly. "If you asked me in January where I thought we would be in June, I'm actually stunned at how quickly things have moved," Hong said. "Everybody on the working group is working very hard. The acquisition committee is working very hard. And they have received a number of very credible offers. "I really think this can be done." Lingle has said she would likely call state lawmakers back into special session to review the terms of any proposed deal. "The major financial burden will not fall on the taxpayers of Hawai'i," Lingle said last night. Many majority Democrats had reservations about supporting the bill without more detail, but lawmakers who represent the area said they wanted to show potential investors the Legislature was behind the concept. State Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), said the new law recognizes the state's authority to exercise eminent domain to acquire the land, which — while not the preferred option — gives the state a range of negotiating options. Source: Honolulu Advertiser |
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