It was standing room only at Laie Elementary school as members of the Koolauloa Neighborhood Board heard plans for a new development project. One that would expand Laie town towards Kahuku. A plan driven by the growing needs of Brigham Young University.
"To be able to expand campus, and in order to expand the campus we need to have the housing that's currently designated on the border of the campus moved so that we have room to expand," said Steven Wheelwright, BYUH President.
That expansion would be 1,200 new homes mauka of Malaekahana - on land now part of Gunstock Ranch, a 200-room hotel where the Laie Inn now sits and the expansion of the Polynesian Cultural Center.
"I feel like there's a lot more alternatives before we just do this big urban sprawl," said Kirk Peterson, Laie resident against the Envision Laie Development Plan. "This is about the only area left on this side of the island that's still country like and country feel."
Peterson has gotten hundreds of signatures from community members against the Envision Laie plan. But the numbers of those in yellow shirts who are in support of the expansion show the community is divided.
"We hope this is the beginning of managed growth in this area, looking for economic sustainability to bring jobs here to bring the homes that are needed," said Verla Moore, Laie resident, in support of the Envision Laie Development Plan.
BYUH says the development would increase affordable homes for families. And expansion of the PCC would bring more local jobs to the area. But critics say more than half of the centers employees are students, not local residents.
"I believe development is good, controlled development, and it should be development for the community and not for a specific business to gain profit," said William Racoma, Laie resident against the Envision Laie Development Plan.
It's a back and forth that is only just beginning...any new development in the area would not only need community support, but require changes in city zoning. Still, some say it's worth it.
"This may not be right time to sell it to everyone because of all the over development and the economy, but it's the right time to present this," said Moore.
The Koolauloa NHB was still hearing testimony on both sides of the issue more than three hours after the meeting began.
