KAILUA-KONA — Game over. ADVERTISING 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
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 might 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 said 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.
