HONOLULU (KHON2) — The proposed Kamananui agribusiness and gondola project on the North Shore — which is strongly opposed by the community — is now receiving pushback from the Honolulu City Council as they request the Department of Planning and Permitting to revoke the project’s permit.
“Six years after this permit was issued, there has been little meaningful evidence that agricultural goals have been met,” said Council Chair Tommy Waters.
North Shore gondola project modified amid community concerns
Waters and Esther Kiaʻāina, who is Council Floor Leader and chairs the zoning and planning committee, introduced Resolution 25-305: questioning the project’s compliance with the original minor conditional use permit from 2019.
“We stand with the community in calling for the Department of Planning and Permitting to uphold accountability and ensure our lands that are intended for agriculture are actually used for agriculture,” Waters said.
Agribusiness v. Agritourism
In September 2025, the city redefined “agribusiness” as “agritourism,” with Ordinance 25-02.
This means permit uses must be “educational or recreational experiences, not large-scale commercial attractions,” the council said…