A controversial gondola proposal has done something projects have failed to do in Hawai‘i. It’s brought various facets of the community together on one side – even if that side opposes the project.
The Kamananui Agribusiness project wants to attract daily visitors for sight seeing and cultural education on the slopes of Mount Ka‘ala. The property was bought from the Dole Pineapple Company in 2017 and is now managed by Kaukonahua Ranch LLC, which received a conditional use permit in 2019.
The opposition is overwhelming. The army points to safety issues because of its military exercises, environmentalists worry about the impacts on native forests and species, and residents say there wasn’t enough public input.
Racquel Achiu, vice chair of the North Shore Neighborhood Board, said the solidarity speaks to issues residents face statewide, such as the rising cost of living and the loss of agricultural land…