Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 2, 1 February 2008 — State of the State [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

State of the State

Governor proposes state partnership for public land purchase on North Shore

By Liza Simnn Public Affairs Specialist In her sixth State of the State address, Gov. Linda Lingle urged residents to adopt "Native Hawaiian eultural values of aloha 'āina and respect for the oeean" in order to help preserve an attractive lifestyle that is identified with Hawai'i. Citing a need to

change the base of the state's economy from a narrow focus on land development,

she announced her intention to push for the state to purchase the 850-acre Turtle Bay property on 0'ahu's North Shore to halt further resort development. This proposal has been inspired by recent successful efforts to preserve lands

by keeping them in puhlie hands, Lingle said at the lan. 22 speech at the state Capitol. While she made no mention of OHA, Lingle said one example of successful puhlie land preservation is Waimea Valley. Onee proposed for

luxury development, Waimea Valley is now managed by OHA following a collaborative purchase agreement involving the city, OHA, the U.S. Army, State Department of Land and Hawai'i Natural

Resources and Nahonal Audubon Society. Lingle conceded that her proposal for Turtle Bay, whieh includes the formation of a working group, might face opposition by lawmakers concerned about a predicted slowing of growth in the state's economy. In January, the State Council on Revenues adjusted downward by $59 million projections for the general fund

tax revenues available through fiscal 2009. Despite this, Lingle sounded the theme of

"long-term" solutions in saying that the puhlie acquisition of Turtle Bay would benefit the next generation in Hawai'i. "It is as certain as night follows day that we cannot speculate or sell ourselves into prosperity," Lingle said. □

Rich cultural site of Waimea Valley now under OHA. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom