WAIALUA, Hawaii (KHON2) — A controversial proposal to build a gondola on Oʻahu’s North Shore is officially off the table after Gov. Josh Green signed House Bill 1881 into law Friday.
The new law prohibits private passenger or cargo ropeways — including gondolas, cable cars, ski lifts and aerial tramways — from being built in Hawaiʻi. Government entities are exempt only if a project receives approval from the state Legislature.
The legislation was introduced by North Shore Representative Sean Quinlan in response to a proposal to build a gondola at Kaukonahua Ranch on the slopes of Mount Kaʻala. The project drew years of opposition from residents, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, environmental advocates and community organizations who argued it would damage the area’s cultural significance, natural landscape and agricultural character.
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“I think this is a big win for local communities. This is a big win for Native Hawaiian self-determination, and I think it’s a strong message that people from lord knows where can’t come to Hawaiʻi and build lord knows what,” Quinlan said after Governor Green signed the measure…