Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 12, 1 December 2007 — Laʻau Point EIS [ARTICLE]

Laʻau Point EIS

Two days of emohonal testimony before the State Land Use Commission on Moloka'i last month wrapped up with Moloka'i Ranch withdrawing its enviromnental impact statement for the planned development of 200 luxury house lots at La'au Point. A ranch attorney said a revised impact statement would be submitted at a later date. Moloka'i residents split over whether the plan adequately addresses the use of resources in order to preserve the isle's Native Hawaiian character. At issue is the ranch's request to reclassify 1,113 acres of land that would allow for luxury development in a community where many trace their Native Hawaiian

lineage back several generations and still practice traditional fishing and farming activities. Under its proposed development plan, the ranch would also provide 26,700 acres of land for a coimnunity trust and allow for the reopening of the Kaluako'i Hotel. In the vigorous debate in front of the Land Use Commissioners, some argued that the project will help boost Moloka'i's depressed economy, while others countered that the project would limit Moloka'i residents' access to water and other natural and eulhual resources that make up the island's riual landscape.