On June 8th 2021 The County Of Kauai accepted a 5 Million Dollar Payout by developer Gary Pinkston-Yellow Hale LLC-Meridian Pacific Ltd. County Housing Director gave a sweetheart deal to the developer, agreeing to the construction of 282 condos. On Aug 10 2021 the county will have the property thats 1set to be developed on the Planning Commision Agenda. Developers are proposing to consolidate the lots and then re subdivide into four lots, this is essentially the first steps to development.
The known Hawaiian burials on the parcel, traditional and cultural practices and the designated and protected habitat of the endemic Koloa spiders are also being ignored. So what does our County do? The Planning Department doesn't call US Fish and Wildlife, doesn't get a comment from the State Historic Preservation Division, doesn't care that there is a LUC requirement that there be a survey and protection of the endangered species before there can be any development but rather agrees to accept a mere $5 million from the billionaire developer Gary Pinkston.
I. Violations of the Endangered Species Act & Related Project Conditions
Why was the USFWS not contacted about the subdivision approval, which will impact the federally protected, endangered Kauai cave amphipod and spiders that have been found on the parcel?
The USFWS recommended denial of the petition, stating there were endangered Kauai cave spiders and amphipods found on the parcel.3 USFWS noted there are likely spiders on other portions of the property not found in certain surveys because they live in underground portions not reachable by surveys.
III. Archaeological Resources
This Subdivision approval itself requires all work to “immediately cease” upon discovery of archeological or historical resources, and the applicant must contact the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Historical Preservation Division, and Planning Department to determine mitigation measures.
Yet the developer conducted drilling in April and May 2021 without any supervision or the required permits.
In its illegal drilling, the developer has violated the LUC conditions and Hawaiian law. Actual surveys are needed.
After County Housing Director accepted the 5 million dollar sweetheart deal from Meridian Pacific Ltd, the County Development Manager (and prior housing director) quit the county for Meridian Pacific Ltd. This is serious conflict of interest!