After nearly two decades of starts and stops Haseko’s vision for its 1,100-acre master-planned Ewa Beach waterfront community appears to be complete. With the buildout of its last phase, Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei development is emerging as part of the transformation of West Oahu into a resort-dotted area.

Amid the changing complexion are access-to-shoreline concerns. The public’s right to set foot on all Hawaii beaches is backed by law and tradition dating back to old Hawaii, but threats persist.

Whether intentional or not, there are occasional instances of access blocked by foliage, private gates or security guards situated alongside traditional public easements at beachfront hotels, condominiums and private homes. West Oahu residents remember that protecting shoreline access took a fight when Ko Olina’s resort lagoons were built.

With the development of Haseko’s Hoakalei recreational lagoon area, along with the possibility of a hotel mauka of the water feature, the call for vigilance remains.

However, to the credit of the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting, Haseko was directed to fold into its plans several public-access promises. Among them: a swimming cove (adjacent to the private-use 19-foot deep lagoon) that will be open to the general public when completed; scores of public parking stalls; and a publicly accessible pedestrian pathway linking the parking area to the shoreline areas, including a planned nature preserve.

Last month, the City Council approved a resolution that grants the developer a special management area use permit and shoreline setback variance for boardwalks and covered pavilions. Also, the Council approved a pair of bills that tweak zoning and tie up loose ends pertaining to the lagoon, which serves as a substitute for a scrapped plan for a marina.

In a letter supporting Bill 62, which rezones about 50 acres within the lagoon area to allow for resort, apartment, industrial, business and preservation uses between White Plains Beach and Oneula Beach Park, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said the developer’s current vision “will serve to enhance the livability of all communities in Ewa.”

Bill 63 amends the boundary of the special management area for a lagoon with no direct ocean outlet.

Some of the community’s homeowners sued Haseko in 2013, maintaining that they suffered economic loss from the decision to forgo a marina. But a circuit judge set aside a $27 million jury award, saying that homeowners did not provide enough evidence that they sustained losses. A motion for a new trial on damages is awaiting a judge’s order.

Haseko sees the lagoon as a better shoreline-access fit for the community. The marina’s channel entrance would have disrupted lateral shoreline access. With the lagoon, lateral shoreline access remains continuous and includes pathways connecting it to Oneula, also known as Hau Bush, and White Plains beaches.

Hawaii law requires lateral access to the shoreline, which stretches to the upper reaches of the wash of waves at high tide during the season with the highest wash. On Oahu, a shoreline setback for a new development is established 60 feet inland from the certified shoreline.

For mauka-makai shoreline access, state law requires the counties to provide reasonable public access pathways that are at least 6 feet wide in areas where none exist. The only exception to the law is military property.

Sharene Saito Tam, Haseko’s vice president, said last month that the company aims to have all retail and resort contracts finalized in seven to 10 years. The community will include up to 4,850 residential and 950 visitor units.

A bit farther west, in the Ko Olina area, plans are in the works for up to three new beachfront hotels and a luxury condo.

While more development has the potential to help West Oahu thrive, city officials and residents must take care to protect our priceless public access to the island’s shoreline resources.