UH refuses to commit to Palamanui

Kealakehe site still an option
by Bobby CommandWest Hawaii Todaybcommand@westhawaiitoday.com Thursday, April 27, 2006 8:35 AM

HSTThe developer was offering space for a college and many in the audience said a commitment from the school would make it much easier to welcome 1,000 more homes in Kona.But a representative of the University of Hawaii Wednesday night still could not formally commit to Hiluhilu Development's plans to build a turn-key first phase of a campus for West Hawaii on UH property North of Kaiminani Drive.Rockne Freitas, chancellor of Hawaii Community College, could only offer a "maybe" after being pressed by Hawaii County Councilman K. Angel Pilago for a binding commitment from the Board of Regents."Personally, I like the current site," said Freitas. "I'd like to honor the hard work of the people who made the decision (of the location for the future campus)... As a team player, it is up to the regents."That statement came despite Hiluhilu's revised plans for Palamanui, just north of Kona Palisades, which call for the development of permanent school buildings on a 500-acre site owned by the school.Representatives of the developer, a partnership of discount broker Charles Schwab and Keauhou-Kona Construction Co., made that announcement as they revealed conceptual plans Wednesday night before the council and about 70 people. The plans presented, which eliminate the golf course but feature a hotel site, also designate about 50 percent of the property as open space.Also part of the plan is a 15-acre regional park near Queen Kaahumanu Highway.In its original presentation, Hiluhilu intended on building temporary school quarters on private property that would have reverted to private ownership once the school developed its own campus.
Hiluhilu Development and UH both say they are still working together under a non-binding memorandum of understanding to develop opportunities for higher education in West Hawaii. However, the plans became much more uncertain earlier this year when the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands requested that UH build the campus at the Laiopua community in Kealakehe -- at the cost of the school.Freitas said the Hawaiian Homes proposal has not been turned down by the regents, even though the targeted property is controlled by Hawaii County for the specific purpose of a municipal golf course.When asked by Ka'u Councilman Bob Jacobson if the school would be able to build the community college if Palamanui was not built, Freitas said the obstacle to overcome is resources, and there were likely other priorities that would take precedence if money became available.The lack of resources was also confirmed by Walter Kunitake, who was the first director of the school when it opened in Kealakekua in 1987."All these years we tried to build the campus, the number one deterrent was money," said Kunitake, who played a role in the selection of the 500-acre site next to Hiluhilu's property.Lionel Kutner, a member of Community Opportunities for Education Development (COED), said he was also one of the members of the team who chose the 500-acre site for the school."We have the opportunity with the development of Hiluhilu to actualize the dream of the community," he said.But Kutner also added there were other benefits of the development, including an added source of drinking water."Here is a chance to get more water," said Kutner. "We shouldn't gloss that over."There was sizable opposition to the project Wednesday night by those who say the county needs to catch up on infrastructure before allowing a project of Palamanui's magnitude.Jake Jacobs said he had a problem with turning to the largess of a developer to provide the community health and educational opportunities. He also said he did not trust commitments by developers."I have a lot of faith in your ability to screw it up," said Jacobs, who pointed out the demographics of those who showed up at the meeting."No locals," he said. "That's Kona now."However, Curtis Tyler III, who was born and raised in Kona, said the project, while not perfect, was a wonderful opportunity if it could deliver the promised community benefits."There's not one square inch of park for all the people who live (in the area north of Palani Road)," said Tyler, who is part Hawaiian. "This community needs a regional park that they can get to without getting trapped in traffic."