Community Groups Granted Intervention in Review of Luxury Coastal Development on Kauaʻi’s Historic Hanalei Bay

Community Groups Granted Intervention in Review of Luxury Coastal Development on Kauaʻi's Historic Hanalei Bay

The proposed project threatens sensitive coastal habitat, imperiled native seabirds, and Native Hawaiian cultural practices

Contacts

Elena Bryant, Earthjustice, [email protected]

Caren Diamond, Mālama Kua'āina, 808-652-0780

A group of community organizations successfully petitioned the Kauaʻi Planning Commission yesterday to intervene in proceedings over a proposed luxury coastal housing development by Miami-based Starwood Capital Group's 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. The proposed multi-million-dollar development would intensify commercial construction along an actively eroding coastal bluff overlooking Hanalei Bay, with some structures proposed as close as five feet from the cliff edge. The proposal includes two-story six-plex housing units, ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 square feet, a new 4,500-square-foot event pavilion with two ballrooms and ancillary structures, expanded parking and infrastructure, and redevelopment of the historic Fort Alexander area.

The groups, Mālama Kua'āina, Hanalei-Wainiha-Hā'ena Community Association, Hui Ho'omalu i Ka 'Āina, and Conservation Council for Hawai'i, whose members include longtime kamaʻāina on Kauaʻi's North Shore, raised concerns that the proposed development fails to comply with laws for environmental and cultural protection and could significantly harm sensitive coastal resources, imperiled native seabirds, scenic view planes, and Native Hawaiian cultural practices along Hanalei Bay's iconic coastline.

As one example, existing 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay operations are already associated with excessive seabird kills, with more than 25% of all documented seabird take on Kauaʻi occurring at this single resort-far exceeding its authorized take quota. The proposed expanded development, lighting, activity, and infrastructure would exacerbate 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay's already excessive and unlawful seabird take.

"Hawaii's native seabirds are already facing severe threats statewide," said Jonee Peters, Executive Director for Conservation Council for Hawai'i. "Expanding development in an area with documented excessive seabird impacts without adequate safeguards is unacceptable."

By granting intervention, the Planning Commission recognized that the organizations have substantial interests that may be affected by the project and should be allowed to participate directly in the proceedings. The community groups will now be able to submit evidence, present expert testimony, and help inform the commission's decision on whether the development should move forward.

"Hawai'i law requires agencies to actively protect public trust resources-not simply accept unsupported claims by developers," said Elena Bryant, an attorney with Earthjustice's Mid-Pacific Office. "These community groups bring critical cultural knowledge, scientific expertise, and decades of experience protecting Hanalei's coastal resources. The Commission made the right decision by allowing the affected community to participate directly in this process."

Community members and environmental advocates have opposed the project because of concerns that it would further degrade coastal resources, worsen the ongoing harms to native seabirds from the resort, impair public scenic views, and interfere with Native Hawaiian cultural practices.

"The community has been engaged in this process from the very beginning, yet our concerns continue to go unaddressed," said Maka'ala Ka'aumoana, Vice-Chair of Hui Ho'omalu i Ka 'Āina. "Intervention became necessary to ensure our voices-and the resources we are fighting to protect-are fully considered."

"The North Shore community has spent decades working to preserve the character, access, and environmental integrity of Hanalei," said Carl Imparato, President of the Hanalei-Wainiha-Hā'ena Community Association. "If approved in its current form, this project would set a troubling precedent for future development proposals that threaten the unique environmental and cultural character of the Hanalei region."

"Our coastlines are not sacrifice zones for luxury development," said Caren Diamond, Executive Director of Mālama Kua'āina. "Hanalei Bay is a living cultural and ecological treasure, and the community has a responsibility to protect it for future generations."

Additional Resources

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