GOVERNOR LINGLE FORMS TURTLE BAY ADVISORY WORKING GROUP

For Immediate Release:  March 8, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today announced she has formed a working group to advise the Administration on how to acquire and preserve for public use the Turtle Bay property on O‘ahu’s North Shore.

The 17-member Governor’s Turtle Bay Advisory Working Group will help develop and review various ideas, recommendations and plans that are being proposed on how to acquire the 850-acre property that includes almost five miles of pristine coastline.  The Advisory Working Group will also serve as a communications channel to the Ko‘olauloa-North Shore communities.

Since the Governor first raised the Turtle Bay idea, she has been meeting with residents, community leaders, union representatives, legislators, conservationists, nonprofit groups, the private sector and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne to discuss alternatives on how to acquire, protect and manage the area’s natural resources, while preserving the area’s rural lifestyle and the long-term economic viability of the existing resort.  A public “talk story” held Tuesday night to hear directly from Ko‘olauloa-North Shore residents on their ideas regarding this important proposal generated additional recommendations.

“Acquiring and preserving this important part of Hawai‘i requires a collaborative approach and public-private-nonprofit partnerships,” said Governor Lingle.  “By bringing together leaders in the Ko‘olauloa-North Shore community, government officials, as well as experts in land trust preservation, Hawaiian culture, environmental conservation, real estate management and labor representation, this working group will assist in reviewing various options and strategies to help us achieve our common goal of acquiring and preserving this area of O‘ahu’s North Shore that is so special to everyone in Hawai‘i.”

Governor Lingle expressed her appreciation that William Paty has agreed to serve as the chair of the Turtle Bay Advisory Working Group. 

“Bill has a distinguished career of service to the state of Hawai‘i, and I am pleased that he has offered to help lead this important effort,” said Governor Lingle.

The individuals invited to serve on the Governor’s Turtle Bay Advisory Working Group are:

William Paty (chair), trustee, Mark A. Robinson Trust; and former chair, Board of Land and Natural Resources;

Denise Antolini, associate professor of law; director, Environmental Law Program, University of Hawai‘i, William S. Richardson School of Law;

Cy Bridges, cultural director, Polynesian Cultural Center and president, Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association;

Mitch Costino, president, Kuilima West Homeowners Association;

Councilmember Donavan Dela Cruz, Council District 2 (North Shore, Wahiawa, Mililani, Ahuimanu);

Eric Gill, financial secretary – treasurer, Unite Here Local 5;

Sen. Clayton Hee, Senate District 23 (Kahuku, La‘ie, Ka‘a‘awa, Kāne‘ohe);

Lea Hong, director, The Trust for Public Lands;

Ted Liu, director, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism;

Rep. Michael Magaoay, House District 46 (North Shore, Mokulē‘ia, Schofield);

Cathleen Mattoon, past president, Ko‘olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club; member Punalu‘u Community Association; and officer Keep the Country Country, Inc.;

Blake McElheny, president, North Shore Community Land Trust; and member, North Shore Neighborhood Board #27;

Steve Metter, CEO and principal, MW Group, Ltd.;

Junior Primacio, member, Ko‘olauloa Neighborhood Board #28; and president, Kahuku Community Association;

Laura H. Thielen, chair, Board of Land and Natural Resources;

Dr. Steven Wheelwright, president, Brigham Young University – Hawai‘i.

In addition, Mayor Mufi Hannemann has been asked to name a representative from the City and County Administration.

The Governor will convene the first meeting of the Turtle Bay Advisory Working Group on Wednesday, March 12, 11:00 a.m. – Noon in the Governor’s office at the State Capitol.

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus  
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043

For additional information on the Turtle Bay initiative, including the video of the March 4 community “talk story” session, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov/turtlebay.