HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-20 Georjean Adams Testimony
Subject: Agenda Item 2: DHL Mahi Site M Permit Extension
From: Georjean Adams
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Date: Monday, April 20, 2026 4:08:43 PM
Re: 2. APPLICANT: DHL MAHI SITE M LLC and DHL MAHI PROPCO LLC
(PL-SMA-2026-000087/AMEND SMA 07-019)
Application to amend Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit No. 07-019 for
a 10-year time extension to Condition No. 2 (Complete Construction); reduce the
2density of the Mauna Lani Site M master planned development from 1,207 Units
(691 Residential & 516 Hotel) to 925 Units (551 Residential & 374 Hotel); remove
proposed golf course and conference center use; increase preserved open space;
and construct an emergency evacuation road. The project is situated within the
Special Management Area and is located approximately 0.75 miles west of Queen
Kaʻahumanu Highway, approximately 0.4 miles north of Mauna Lani Drive, Mauna
Lani Resort, South Kohala, Hawai’i, TMKs: (3) 6-8-001:050; 052-055, (3) 6-8-
022:010.
As a full time resident of Mauna Lani Resort, I have reservations about the proposed
plans for "Site M" and request additional information be provided to the public and the
Leeward Planning Commission on the following issues:
1. Traffic Management. Mauna Lani Resort owners have experienced issues with
regard to safe entry and exit of Mauna Lani Drive at the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway,
as well as along North Kaniku Dr. We continue to make adjustments to safely manage these roadways, but are not satisfied yet. In addition, parking is constrained
at the resort guest and owner parking lots at Makaiwa Bay beach and at the shopping
center. This is before we add the new traffic that will occur with Site M's 925 new units with their (normal, everyday) associated occupant and service vehicles. I request a
new traffic safety study that considers current traffic issues and these additional
vehicles. I do support the creation of an emergency evacuation road, whether or not
any new units are added, given our last tsunami back-up experience in July 2025.
2. Beach Crowding. The small beach at Makaiwa Bay (Mauna Lani Beach Club -
not in front of the Auberge Hotel) already suffers from overcrowding during high
season along with the potential for reef degradation. DHL Mahi management has
opined that their hotel guests do not visit this beach, but few of us residents believe it; plus it's been described that there will be shuttles to Makaiwa for the new properties.
Adding more units will only exacerbate problems. The permit by the Planning
Department need to ensure the developer works with Mauna Lani Resort Association
residents and the local community to address overcrowding.
3. Stewardship of Public Areas. DHL Mahi and previous owners have been
negligent in maintaining Holoholokai Beach Park and the Petroglyph Park under their
lease agreements with the state, as well as potential archeological sites in Site M. I'd also add managing the encroachment of feral cats, goats and pigs - in conjunction
with the Mauna Lani Resort Association and others - to their stewardship
responsibilities. Holding them to high standards for the preservation of these sites and
safe access for the public should be a condition of their development permit. (Note:
DHL has taken modest positive steps with regard to the parks in the last year and did
listen to the community about protecting Makaiwa Bay from additional moorings.)
Mauna Lani is zoned for resort development. I appreciate the scaling down of the
earlier Site M plans. But I believe we need to carefully look at current adverse
experiences with the population we already have before we allow more building and
what additional constraints and guidelines should be applied.
Mahalo for your consideration,
Georjean Adams 68-1050 Mauna Lani Point Dr, South Kohala