By BRIAN PERRY
Staff Writer
WAILUKU -- West Maui residents advised caution Monday before the county proceeds with a plan to acquire 33 acres of North Beach in Kaanapali for $15 million and development concessions.
During a meeting in Council Chambers at the Kalana O Maui building, about half a dozen people supported acquisition of the area known as Kekaa as a public beach park, but they urged the council to move slowly to get the best deal possible.
On July 7, Mayor Linda Crockett Lingle revealed details of negotiations to buy 33 of the 90-plus acres at one of Maui's last undeveloped stretches of shoreline property in West Maui. Part of the deal involves the developer, Amfac/JMB, agreeing to reduce its North Beach development's overall density from 3,200 to 2,000 units. In exchange, the county would agree not to oppose Amfac's request for a favorable interpretation of a special management area permit provision dealing with West Maui traffic mitigation measures.
Louise Rockett questioned the administration's willingness to settle for a widening of Honoapiilani Highway when it earlier had taken a position that that was only a ``short-term fix.''
She said taxpayers also are being left in the dark as negotiations proceed. ``It is as if we didn't exist at all,'' Rockett said.
The public should be involved in the negotiations, she maintained. ``Let's not be in such a hurry to play `Let's Make A Deal' with Amfac.''
Wailuku Heights resident Glenn Shepherd said the council shouldn't settle for only 33 acres.
``Forget it,'' he said. ``Go for the whole enchilada.''
Council Member Wayne Nishiki called for quick action on the North Beach resolution. ``I don't think that the council should be sitting on this matter,'' he said.
The resolution was referred to the council's Budget and Finance Committee, chaired by Council Member James ``Kimo'' Apana.
In other council action Monday, councilors passed on second and final reading a measure amending liquor license fees. They also gave initial first reading approval to a conditional zoning measure for the Maui Islander Hotel. The bill would change 8.6 acres of hotel land from A-1 apartment district to H-1 hotel district.
Nishiki cast the lone vote against the measure, saying he didn't like the way the project started off as an affordable rental project and wound up as a resort hotel development.
Councilors also gave an initial nod to a bill changing the name of Armory Park in Lahaina to Kamehameha Iki Park.
The council meeting was videotaped by Akaku: Maui Community Television. Cablecasts are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday; noon Sunday; 8 p.m. Monday; and midnight Aug. 27.
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