Kawela Bay & Kahuku Point Saved on Oahu's North Shore!

Bringing together generations of activists, the Oahu Chapter worked with the Trust for Public Land Trust (TPL) and the North Shore Community Land Trust (NSCLT) and other groups to help pass a bill to save 665 acres of pristine coastline along the North Shore of Oahu.  In the past, the Turtle Bay Resort had wanted to develop hotels in these areas, and the Oahu Chapter and its founder Peter Cole had fought this for almost a decade.  The Chapter later filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit to make the resort update its 25-year old EIS statement.  After having to update the Supplemental EIS, the Resort began working with the state and groups like TPL's Lea Hong and NSCLT's Doug Cole (Peter's son), who all helped raise funds to put the land in conservation.  Members of Surfrider, Defend Oahu Coalition, Keep the North Shore Country and other groups rallied for the coservation easement and joined forces with the Governor, key legislators and members of the Turtle Bay Resort to create a win-win situation for all involved.  In early May, the legislature passed HB 2434 and authorized the state to spend almost $40 million to put about 5 miles of pristine coastline into permanent conservation easement for the benefit of locals and visitors alike for generations to come!