The Kahala Hotel & Resort wants to expand its outdoor wedding ceremonies to three state parcels from two and add other guest-focused beach attractions. Its owner, Resorttrust, has also expressed a “commitment to be a good neighbor.”

But there’s little chance of making good on both if the hotel’s tight-lipped handler continues to decline opportunities to openly discuss its request to exchange a state-issued revocable permit for a less flexible, more permanent nonexclusive easement along a 1-acre stretch of shoreline.

Amid worries that the switch could essentially privatize a slice of public beach, Resorttrust has twice passed up the opportunity to present its plan to the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board.

A historic trail saved on Maui

The three years since the establishment of the state’s Environmental Court have yielded some success for advocacy groups — even if the accord wasn’t struck in a courtroom. One such advance was an out-of-court settlement prompted by a lawsuit by Maui groups against developer ATC Makena.

Makena Resort, being redeveloped as condominiums, will recede a bit in size to save more of the area’s archaeological sites, and a historic trail will be saved. The state’s historic preservation interest is often defended by private actions. It’s good to see history saved, however it’s achieved.