Waimea Valley development deal rejected unanimously

[KamaAina]

by the same City Council that had given it preliminary approval by an Extreme Court-like 5-4 vote. Waimea Valley is the last intact undeveloped ahupua'a (swath of land extending from the ridgeline to the ocean) left on busy, crowded O'ahu.

http://starbulletin.com/2005/12/08/news/story01.html

THE CITY COUNCIL has unanimously rejected a deal that would have settled a condemnation lawsuit by allowing some luxury housing development in Waimea Valley....

McCorriston's comments came after the Council soundly rejected the settlement offer that included giving Wolffer the ability to build homes in the back of the 1,875-acre valley and develop an ecological camp in another part of the valley. The city would be able to keep the front 300 acres occupied by the Waimea Valley Audubon Center, currently operated by the National Audubon Society....

OHA trustee Rowena Akana told the Council, "OHA is very serious about acquiring this property, either by ourselves or with other people. Mostly we want partnerships."...

Dela Cruz said that by those groups coming forward and agreeing to help foot the bill on any purchase price, it helped convince the five Council members to change their votes. "That made the difference."

In the words of the immortal Marv Albert, "Yyyyyyeeesssssss!"