Update - April 16, 2008
The Governor's Turtle Bay Advisory Working Group held its fourth meeting on April 16, 2008.
This update provides information from the meeting, as well as news on legislation, a fundraising campaign and a planned tour of the property. Past updates can be found at www.hawaii.gov/gov/turtlebay.
ACQUISITION PROGRESS
At the April 16 meeting, the Acquisition Options Committee reported that it has established a negotiating protocol to ensure that the same information is provided to all parties who approach the State of Hawai'i about acquiring portions of the Turtle Bay property. The criteria for discussions with potential buyers and for screening proposals respect the needs of the State, the community, the owner and interested purchasers. The committee's overarching goals continue to be to preserve the undeveloped property for future generations and to create long-term economic stability for the resort.
The protocol include that the State is committed to a fair, ethical, and competitive bidding process. This includes creating competitive interest in the property, not disrupting Oaktree Capital Management Inc.'s ongoing sales efforts, and responding only to solicitations, rather than actively seeking them.
The protocol also indicates that buyers should honor the union contracts and have a history of operating relationships with unions. Potential buyers should have strong financial standing, with capital reserves, corporate stability, and the ability to invest in appropriate upgrades to the property. The protocol further states that a buyer should be culturally sensitive, with knowledge of, and a commitment to, the North Shore community and Native Hawaiians.
LEGISLATION UPDATE
Four bills currently in conference committee in the Legislature are important to ensuring that the full range of tools are available as discussions with the owners, creditors, partners, and community move forward. Senator Clayton Hee, a member of the Turtle Bay Advisory Working Group, said during the April 16 meeting that the Turtle Bay bills have received strong support and incorporated the recommendations of the Lingle-Aiona Administration. Senator Hee anticipates passage of the bills before the 2008 session ends on May 1. Decision making on the bills is currently scheduled for April 21, at 10:30 a.m. In addition, two new related supporting resolutions initiated by Senator Hee, HCR346 and SR95 are also moving forward.
Acquisition Tools Bill. SB2423 SD2 HD1 indicates the Legislature's support for the Governor's initiative to acquire the Turtle Bay property and provides the negotiations a full range of tools important to successful completion of the process.
Land Conservation Fund Flexibility. SB3102 SD2 HD1 adds flexibility to DLNR's land conservation fund by allowing private moneys to be added and distributed as grants for the acquisition of state conservation lands.
Transferable Development Rights. SB2997 SD1 HD1 could provide an innovative mechanism (used in other states) for the transfer of development rights (TDRs), adding another important tool for preserving undeveloped land. While TDRs were previously removed from the bill in the House, Senator Hee indicated that the TDR mechanism may be reinserted during conference.
Tax Credit for Land Conservation. SB2198 SD2 HD2 would allow private landowners to obtain a partial tax credit for dedicating their land to conservation purposes, as is done in 12 other states. Supported by many Hawaii conservation groups, this approach leverages state and private resources to protect important private lands for public benefit.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND ANNOUNCED FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Lea Hong, Hawaiian Islands director for the Trust for Public Land, announced that the organization has launched a major fundraising campaign to assist in the protection of the Turtle Bay property. By donating, people can help save the area's wild coastal beaches and landscapes, fishing areas, threatened green sea turtle and endangered monk seal habitat, and Hawaiian ancestral burial grounds.
To donate, visit www.tpl.org/turtlebay For more information, please contact: Keith Kraughto, Hawaiian Islands Program Development Director, The Trust for Public Land, 212 Merchant Street, Suite 320, Honolulu, HI 96813, (808) 524-8560, keith.kraughto@tpl.org
PROPERTY TOUR
In cooperation with the property owner Oaktree Capital Management Inc., the Advisory Working Group is arranging a tour of the entire property to gain understanding and insights that could be useful during the process of acquisition and protection.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Turtle Bay Advisory Working Group is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, at 11:00 a.m. in the Governor's conference room at the State Capitol.
