BREAKING NEWS!

Posted 9/29/2026

We Did It!

Aloha,

The Court released its ruling today on the Serpa and SK Investors, LLC development proposed for Koloa Town. Bottom line – WE WON! The following text was served on the parties this afternoon by the Judge:

…

Thanks to all our supporters who made this possible. Needless to say, our super skilled legal team, Lance D Collins, Bianca Isaki and Ryan Hurley, once again helped us achieve a brilliant result.

FOM asked our team to not only Appeal but to seek an Order to Stay any construction pending the outcome of the Appeal. The Court also asked the parties to prepare Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for the Judge Char’s final Order.

Needless to say, while our Appeal was successful, it was expensive. As year end approaches, please help us restore our bank account with your tax deductible donation. Acknowledgement letters for tax purposes are sent for every donation received. 

What’s next? We await the Court’s Final Order and look forward to a Contested Case where evidence and testimony can be presented as we honker down and get ready to protect Koloa from over development. Our historic little town is worthy of preservation. Stay tuned we will keep you posted.

Mahalo nui,

Bridget Hammerquist, President
Friends of Maha`ulepu, a 501(c)(3)
Kia`i Wai o Wai`ale`ale, Co-founder
PO Box 1654
Koloa, HI 96756
Donate
friendsofmahaulepu.org
friendsofmahaulepu@hawaiiantel.net
(808) 346-1973 cell

Posted 9/24/2026

Word from the Court

Aloha,

1. Word from the Court

You may recall that Judge Stephanie R.S. Char asked the attorneys for FOM to prepare an Order for the Court to sign directing the Planning Commission to prepare a written Decision that explains why they denied FOM and Save Koloa their Petition to Intervene before Serpa’s development permits were granted. On September 21, 2026, the Judge Ordered that the Planning Commission’s written Decision be received by the Court no later than October 5, 2026. In her last Order, the Judge stated that she would then Rule on our Appeal of the Planning Commission’s  grant of Serpa’s development permits. Meanwhile, the Judge’s earlier Order stopping any construction of the 148 units (condos/apartments) Serpa plans to build on his 9.4 acre parcel, remains in effect.

2. Community Updates

A. Video of Mayoral Candidates on Hawaii News Now September 17, 2026

The following link will allow you to view the first debate between our two mayoral candidates. You may recall that there was an earlier debate scheduled which Bernard Carvalho, at the last minute, decided to withdraw from. At the end of the following there is a political analyst from Hawaii News Now who critiques the debate. He calls the debate in favor of Mel and explains why.

Recent Mayoral Debate Televised on HawaiiNewsNow

B. KKCR Radio Hour with Mayoral Candidates September 22, 2026