TURTLE BAY FILES SEIS PREPARATION NOTICE TUESDAY  AUGUST 23, 2011! 

The developer submitted its plan for the Turtle Bay resort claiming a reduction of 60% from the 1985 plan; another way of looking at it is an expansion from todays 500 hotel rooms to up to 1,500 rooms with the proposed additional 625 hotel/time-share units; the number of residential units goes from the current 368 (Kuilima East and West) to 1,118 units, an additional 750 (225 at Kawela Bay) in the project. You can view the latest information at the developer website.

Here is their plan:

The 30 day comment period on the SEIS preparation notice has begun; the draft SEIS will be published near year end 2011 and the final SEIS in April of 2012; here is the link to the SEIS notice of preparation.

Older news from when we won 13 months ago follows:

Hawaii Supreme Orders SEIS!

July 20, 2010 UPDATE:       Motion to reconsider is denied.  Court reaffirms its decision that a SEIS is required on the Turtle Bay Resort Expansion Plan.

After four years, two lower court losses, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, WE WIN!

Keep the North Shore Country is very pleased the Hawaii Supreme Court, on April 8, 2010, ordered a Supplemental EIS for the Turtle Bay Resort Expansion Plan.  We commend the Court for thoroughly reviewing the facts of the case and rendering a strong opinion on the need for an updated environmental review 25 years after the original report was completed in 1985.

We are very appreciative of the enormous support of residents on the North Shore, throughout the state of Hawaii and around the world who passionately cheered us on.  Everyone knew that this was the classic case where an SEIS should be required and the Court came down forcefully on the mistakes made by the Honolulu City & County Department of Planning and Permitting and the lower courts for their erroneous interpretation of the law.

Without the numerous donations, large and small, from concerned supporters, we would not have been able to mount this vigorous and ultimately successful campaign.  The cost of fighting city hall is staggering, but we were successful because of the stellar work by many people, not the least of whom are our attorneys.

Rory Wicks of Coast Law Group from California was masterful before the Supreme Court on December 17, 2009.  His preparation and knowledge of environmental law were amazing, convincing and undeniable.

Laura Moritz of Alston Hunt Floyd and Ing was steadfast as our lead attorney in Hawaii.  Laura worked this case from start to finish, through the setbacks, appeals and now, victory.

Bill Hunt at Alston Hunt Floyd and Ing provided experience and calm insight into the challenges we faced.

Robert Harris of Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter, provided additional legal expertise and support when we needed it most.

Isaac Moriwake of EarthJustice prepared an extremely effective amicus brief for several groups who joined in support of the cause.  His observations made a positive impact on the result.

Marco Gonzales of Coast Law Group and all the other attorneys and staff at Alston Hunt Floyd and Ing were fantastic.

There are many others who helped in many ways, large and small, and they know who they are.  Organizations like  Defend Oahu Coalition, Surfrider Foundation and Surfrider Foundation, Oahu Chapter deserve special thanks.

To everyone who believed in us and to everyone who helped make it happen, MAHALO!