I was surprised to find out the developers of The Villages at Aina Le’a erected signage stating a stop light is coming soon.
Steve Dunnington and Bob Wessels, co-managing partners of DW Aina Le’a Development, complained about the DOT’s long approval process when I toured the project in January. However, the delay was actually due to the project’s incomplete EIS, not because of the DOT’s bureaucracy. In addition, the developers consultants haven’t contacted the DOT since September 30th, 2010 despite Hawaii County’s acceptance of the project’s FEIS on October 25th, 2010.
I’ve e-mailed Steve Dunnington for his thoughts. This blog posting will be updated if he responds.
Update: Steve Dunnington didn’t comment on the intersection issue. However, he did reply to my e-mail regarding the Mauna Lani Resort Association lawsuit:
“The FEIS was accepted by Hawaii County on October 25, 2010 and was published on November 8, 2010. It is current and valid. An appeal was filed and is presently under review, and our response will be filed at the appropriate time.”
Mr. Dunnington later replied top my inquiry regarding the status of signalized intersection:
“The temporary sign at our entrance is meant to inform the community of the fact that ‘Aina Le’a is planning a fully channelized lit intersection at that location. The final plans (executed by Wilson Okamoto, and to be built by Goodfellow Bros) have yet to be approved by HDOT.”
I was doing research on this issue yesterday when I came upon something very interesting. The Mauna Lani Resort Association filed a lawsuit against Hawaii County, DW Aina Le’a Development, and Relco Corporation on January 5th, 2011.
Mauna Lani Resort Association complaint (courtesy of Environment Hawaii)
The Mauna Lani Resort Association is attempting to invalidate the FEIS and place an injunction on the project. This would bar any construction activity until the FEIS is amended to comply with state law.
DW Aina Le’a Development is also fighting the proposed reversion of the project’s land classification. They’ve submitted comments against the LUC’s proposed Decision & Order in this matter.
I e-mailed the LUC on Friday requesting a copy of these comments. They’ll be posted here if the LUC releases these documents.
Bridge Aina Le’a LLC Exceptions And Objections To Proposed Decision & Order
Bridge Aina Le’a LLC Proposed Findings Of Fact
DW Aina Le’a Development’s Objections To Proposed Decision & Order
March 28th, 2011 at 9:53 AM
I also read in a recent Environment Hawaii newsletter that a spokesman for the Condo Association of Mauna Lani was noting that DW Aina Le’a was using photos of Mauna Lani’s beach and golf courses in Aina Le’as marketing brochure! I guess we’re lucky they bother to show the stoplight on the sign. Perhaps they plan to hook up a car battery and leds to the sign until the permits come through. Until then, it can be hazardous to make a left turn at the junction. Hang loose.
March 28th, 2011 at 5:01 PM
We in Waikoloa and South Kohala appreciate the calls and research you do on the issues with DW ‘Aina Lea. I know the State would start the design process and building the light when DW or perhaps Bridge pays for it. But I don’t think DW has any significant income coming in to do more than service their debt for paying back contractors they already owe money to. So, unless there is magical new money to spend on the light before the road and ALL the other things they need to do to make what they have built suitable for occupancy.
The merits of Mauna Lani Resort Association’s case are strong. It is, naturally self-serving, but I agree with every issue they raise. If the whole of Aina Lea is ever built out and there is no increase in beach access, it will really stretch the available parks and access already there. The little park at the North end of Mauna Lani Resort, Holoholokai, is already well used, but not over-used. It would be a radically different place if there were thousands of more regulars using it. Even hundreds. It’s the most peaceful place with easy access, even for handicapped to go to board, fish, spear, throw net, picnic, sit, walk, visit, whale watch, park, see the sunset, read, and breath. It is used by seniors, tourists, and families with children. “All kine” share it well.
Open houses, extravagant and misleading newspaper ads, ugly banners announcing things that are coming soon, and every press release is just window dressing and propaganda to keep the public thinking it is a good project that needs still more exceptions.
Aaron, you do a real service with your blog.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:04 PM
As a member of MLRA I can’t say I’m surprised that they are filing a lawsuit. The sign is not really keeping with community standards, and there has been a lot of investment by other people in this area.
March 31st, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Aaron, thank you for keeping us up to date. This whole project is in shambles and was a sham from the very beginning. Developers Wessels and Dunnington have arguably no background of any success they can point to and owing your vendors sizable money with shoestring plans and off-shore ponzi schemes is fraudulent at best. I’d like to know how much the two mentioned “developers” have pocketed at the expense of the land, the workers, and the Island. Transparency with this venture and their previous ones does not seem to be their strong suit. Shame.
April 19th, 2011 at 3:26 AM
A very hot topic!!!
I am interested in this issue, too.
May 22nd, 2011 at 3:31 PM
Go Mauna Lani Resort Association ! Thanks to them for “going after” a tawdry company (DW) and their ugly project. Anything we can do to help?
Aaron, thanks for putting up the video of DW , so their blatant pandering to the monied gentry of Hong Kong is no longer a secret.