BREAKING NEWS!

Posted 11/11/2025

A Blank Check?

Aloha,

1) 1,200 housing units (number of bedrooms unspecified) plus a 160 unit resort (number of bedrooms unspecified) to be added to 442 acres Hanamāʻulu Bluffs ocean and mountain side acreage across from Kuhio Highway.

As described in our last email, the developer Charles Somers of Somers West Development and Group 70 International did hold a hearing November 3, 2025 at the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort. Unfortunately, for those who came to learn details about this proposed development, there were no specifics or details to be had. There was no site plan. How many people, how many cars, how many anticipated tourists, will the proposed 160 unit resort suites, multiple bedroom visitor destinations or single rooms? We attended the hearing hoping to learn the details but it was not to happen. 

“As recorded in “Land and Power in Hawaii” by George Cooper and Gavan Daws  (which dedicates 66 must-read pages to the topic) the editor of The Garden Island newspaper wrote, “the people of Kauai are obviously the victims of a well-organized conspiracy to circumvent their wishes.”” That quote comes from an article written by Luke Evslin in 2016. 

In his 2016 article, Mr Evslin also states: “And there is no end in sight. Of the 4,693 resort units permitted for construction since 2000 (nearly all of them from before the economic crash in 2007), only about half have been built. This leaves our island with a loaded gun of entitled projects that we can do nothing about.” The 160 room resort being proposed is not one of the entitled resort developments Luke Evslin included in his article. Does Kauai need another resort where there are some 2,000 room resorts already entitled but not built? The public hearing held last Monday was reportedly the developers required public hearing to allow the public an opportunity to offer comments or concerns in response to the developers EISPN (Environmental Impact Statement Public Notice), often referred to as a scoping meeting to help the developer identify what needs to be addressed during the EIS process. 

Did that happen? No. Rather than give us details, the developer filed a 98 page notice with the State published in the October 23, 2025 Environmental Notice. It’s hard to believe that the 98 pages was filled with adjectives like “smart, sustainable, walk-able, bike-able etc.” but devoid of details that the standing room only packed attendants could only respond with very general infrastructure concerns. As one attendee stated, the most that we had was a project concept with no plan specifics. How could we offer any meaningful comments without knowing what they intend to build and where it would be located on the 442 acres? 

Another person suggested that the developer was asking the public to sign a blank check and just support a 1,200 unit development without knowing any details of what was to be built, a major bait and switch play if ever there was one. 

Not only did they open the meeting with the statement that they were there to hear any concerns but they upfront told the large audience that they would not be answering any questions. Contrary to traditional practice, the hawaiian blessing, Oli, was offered by a practitioner from west Kauai, Troy Lazaro. The Hawaiian culture recognizes practitioners from the area are the appropriate people to comment because the project in the area where they live is within their Kuleana (responsibility, privilege, and concern). The chant and the prayer were lengthy and the audience was asked to give this project a chance for the Kanaka, the Hawaiians, who so desperately need housing. The audience was not told that the 1,200 unit development was not within Mr Lazaro’s Kuleana. Nor was it disclosed that Mr Lazaro, the practitioner hired by the developer, was recently appointed by the Governor to the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board (HTA). Was Mr Lazaros participation associated with his interest in promoting tourism, the primary function of HTA? Why is the project manager, a farmer from the west side, and the developer’s assistants also from west Kauai? While the project manager, Josh Uehara, is a respected farmer from the west side, he is not known for nor is he an experienced developer. 

What size homes are they planning? What will be their price? None of these details were shared. Suffice it to say, we all left with too many unanswered questions and so little information that the audience and those who read the 98 page notice will have difficulty offering any relevant concerns or support. 

The draft EIS for this project we were told would be released some time in late Fall of 2026. At that point, the public will see for the first time the details of Mr Somers large development. There will only be 45 days for the public and the experts to review and comment. Was this a legal EISPN hearing? We think the developer has left himself wide open to a legal challenge for his “shell game approach”.  

For more history on this coastal area and the development of Kauai Beach Resort, Luke Evslin’s article in Civil Beat is revealing: 

Luke Evslin: The Living Victims of Kauai’s Tourism Economy – Civil Beat August 18, 2016
Is this another fraud being perpetrated on the people of Kauai? All Public comments must be emailed to each of the following addresses not later than November 22, 2025:

Marie Williams, (808) 241-4050, mwilliams@kauai.gov
4444 Rice Street, Suite 473, Lihue, HI 96766

Applicant Somers West; 5241 Arnold Avenue, McClellan, CA 95652
Rachel Bardis, (916) 565-6021, rbardis@somerswest.com

Consultant G70; 111 S. King Street, Suite 170, Honolulu, HI 96813
Jeff Overton, (808) 523-5866, hanamaulu_village@g70.design

There is no doubt that Kauai’s residents are victims of abusive development promoted and supported by our elected officials. When we challenged Governor Green’s “Emergency Housing Proclamation” (EP), the Hawaii Supreme Court found the Governor’s attempt to fast track housing construction permits without regard to the price point was overly broad as reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The high Court found our legal challenge had merit. Suffice it to say, development without regard to the need for workforce housing has been supported at the highest level in our State. We have no better idea today than we did prior to the public hearing as to what Charles Somers intends to do for Kanaka (27,000 Hawaiians statewide who have been on a housing list far too long). Our legal challenge of the Governor’s EP made a difference. During our lawsuit, the Governor finally amended his Housing Proclamation offering fast track permits only for affordable housing. See article below:

Green’s housing orders too broad
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Sept. 17, 2025 

“… In this case, the ruling applied to 15 proclamations by the governor to expedite housing projects, suspending the application of certain state laws and establishing emergency rules; the first was issued in July 2023. Ten of those proclamations were upheld in their entirety. However, the court found that the first five went too far — because they were worded to apply to any and all housing projects, rather than specifically affordable housing, an overly broad action that exceeds the governor’s emergency powers.” 

Help us continue our work. Visit our website as we near the end of the year to make your tax free charitable donations. Acknowledgment letters are sent to each contributor to use for their tax filing for 2025.

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) 742-1037 home
(808) 346-1973 cell

Posted 10/30/2025

Important Meeting November 3, 2025

Aloha,

1) 1,200 housing units (number of bedrooms unspecified) to be added to 442 acres Hanamāʻulu Bluffs ocean and mountain side acreage across Kuhio Highway.

On October 23, 2025 The Environmental Notice for the State of Hawaii published notice of a new development on the island of Kauai between the airport and the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort. A portion of the development will be on the ocean side of Kuhio Highway with the remained across the highway. 

An important meeting will be held at the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort ballroom on Monday November 3, 2025 beginning at 5:30 pm. Of the documents filed thus far, there is no site plan and no way to determine the actual configuration of the 1,200 unit development. The development will include a 700 unit section deed restricted for “Kauai Residents”. The term “Hawaii State Resident” was not used because that would require living in the State of Hawaii for at least 200 days before the date of purchase. By using the term “Kauai Resident”, the developer gives the impression that the units are being built for people already living on the island of Kauai. However, one can qualify as a Kauai resident if they come here and obtain a Hawaii drivers license with a local address and the stated intent that Kauai is to be their new domicile. There is no quantum of time or other requirements to be considered Kauai resident. Thus, while the carefully written development proposal suggests that this development is intended to address Kauai’s housing shortage. It will be available to people moving here from out of state. Nothing in the paperwork thus far indicates a price point limit to meet the housing shortage for the workforce on Kauai.

There will be an open house beginning at 5:30 pm and hopefully some site plan will be available. When I spoke with a broker who called on behalf of Charles Somers of Somers West approximately 2 years ago, they shared that this development was intended to be walk-able, bike-able but would not have internal roads or parking at the various housing accommodations. Rather the parking for anyone that had a car, would be on property buffering the development so that people would have to walk or bike to their units. The development will also include a 160 visitor accommodation units (number of bedrooms not disclosed yet). For people visiting or transferring to Kauai. The documents provided by Charles Somers development company suggests that it will be visitor accommodation units for tourism and elitists. The remaining units are not deed restricted or price point restricted in any way. 

The Environmental Notice that follows provides notice that our County Planning Department has called for preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) because the 442 acres are agricultural lands which require the developer to apply for rezoning to accommodate planned urban and resort developments. The following is public notice of the required public hearing for November 3, 2025 and the comment period that ends on November 24, 2025. The address for the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort meeting is in the following Environmental Notice as well as the email addresses for any comments made by the public regarding the proposed project. The comments can include questions or concerns that the developer will have to answer when they publish their Draft EIS. The Draft EIS will be published in the Environmental Notice some months after the comment period which we will share. The public may comment now or with the publication of the Draft EIS as both are open for comment even if you fail to comment on the initial phase. In order to challenge the EIS in Court, any person or entity must comment on the Draft EIS within 45 days of its publication.

Our Planning Department required the developer complete an EIS because State law requires that any change to the Kauai County General Plan which now describes the 442 acres as agricultural or conservation use. In the link that follows, the County Planning Department also reports that the proposed development will require approval by both the County Planning Department, the reviewing Agency and the State Land Use Commission. 

Another really big project for Kauai with traffic and other infrastructure impacts:

October 23, 2025 The Environmental Notice KAUAʻI EAS /EIS
Hanamāʻulu Village – (EIS Preparation Notice)

HRS §343-5(a) Trigger (6) Propose any amendments to existing county general plans where the amendment would result in designations other than agriculture, conservation, or preservationDistrict(s)
LīhuʻeTMK(s) (4) 3-7-003:001 & 028 and (4) 3-9-005:005Permit(s) Various – See Section 2.3

Approving Agency / Accepting Authority County of Kauaʻi, Planning Department Marie Williams, (808) 241-4050, mwilliams@kauai.gov 4444 Rice Street, Suite 473, Lihue, HI 96766

Applicant Somers West; 5241 Arnold Avenue, McClellan, CA 95652Rachel Bardis, (916) 565-6021, rbardis@somerswest.com

Consultant G70; 111 S. King Street, Suite 170, Honolulu, HI 96813 Jeff Overton, (808) 523-5866, hanamaulu_village@g70.design

Status Administrative 30-day public review and comment period starts. Comments are due by November 24, 2025. Please send comments to hanamaulu_village@g70.design. An In Person EIS Scoping Meeting will be held on November 3 / 5:30PM – Open House; 6:00PM – Scoping Presentation & Comment at the Outrigger Hotel, 4331 Kauai Beach Dr, Līhuʻe, HI 96766.The Applicant is planning to develop a master planned residential community called Hanamā‘ulu Village on approximately 442 acres of land located along the Hanamā‘ulu bluff on the island of Kaua‘i. The village has been designed to meet the Island’s critical need for housing. Housing in the village will be comprised of various typologies to provide housing opportunities inclusive of people of all generations, income levels, and backgrounds. Integrating principles of smart growth, the village interweaves the residential community with parks and courtyards, commercial centers, visitor accommodations, and large open natural areas along the bluff to foster community connection.If you are experiencing any ADA compliance issues with the above project, please contact the Somers West consultant, Kiralee Ramos, at kirar@g70.design.

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) 742-1037 home
(808) 346-1973 cell

Posted 10/8/2025

Aloha,

Another Hawaii State Supreme Court Ruling in favor of FOM and its members of the east Wailua community dedicated to the protection of east Wailua streams, Kia`i Wai o Wai`ale`ale. 

In a 57 page Decision linked below, the Hawaii State Supreme Court issued another strong and very favorable Ruling in support of our work to protect the fresh waters, stream flows and environment of Kauai. Our members began attending hearings before the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) in 2016 when water diversion permits came up for their annual renewal. KIUC had held permits to divert 100% of the stream flow from Wai`ale`ale and Waikoko streams beginning in 2003. There were numerous conditions attached to the permit that required KIUC to maintain the five mile water transmission system that ran between Wai`ale`ale and Waiahi where the water was taken into two 100 year old KIUC hydro-power plants. In our research, we learned that these plants provided barely 1% of the islands power needs. On a day when it wasn’t raining, those 100% base flow diversions took all the water out of the stream, leaving long stretches, up to a mile, of dry stream beds.