Just got a letter from Turtle Bay Resorts, saying that Replay Resorts has been brought in to oversee the entire resort -- including hotel management and the "real estate development program." I wrote about it in my Honolulu Star-Advertiser Career Changers blog, which you can read by clicking here.
To sum up for those who aren't familiar with the Turtle Bay controversy, there were plans drawn up two decades ago that would allow for expansion of up to 3,500 new rooms. Considering there is a single two-lane highway that serves the resort and surrounding communities, some thought that might present a bit of a problem. Not only that, the plan could impact shoreline access and alter the "country" feel of that area on the North Shore. The public outcry succeeded in halting expansion until a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement could be done.
The new owners and Replay Resorts are now saying they want community input, and intend to create a new master plan that will address the concerns of residents. They seem to by backing away from the plans to add 3,500 units and say they do not want to develop gated luxury communities like you see around the Waikoloa resorts on the Big Island. That's good. Better yet, they are working with two land trusts to place a conservation easement on 469 acres of land mauka of Kamehameha Highway, which will be preserved for farming use. That's great news.
Let's hope they live up to their promise that they will be more transparent and responsive to community concerns.
