Thank you for the recent editorial on The Kahala Hotel & Resort and its revocable permit (RP) over state land (the beach fronting the hotel was created by the hotel developer in 1964). We agree that the state Land Board should “clarify terms of the permit issued” for the property; that is the basis of our recent request.
We want to call your attention to errors in the newspaper’s recent reporting and editorial, which a simple site inspection would have clarified. The hotel is now being accused of violating the terms of the RP — but many of the matters noted have already been addressed and adjusted.
Of note: It’s suggested the hotel is “using the beach for commercial purposes,” which is simply not true. No commercial activities are conducted on the sand. Likewise, the use of an outdated photo conveys an erroneous impression.
Present owners, as was the practice of prior owners over the decades, view the recreation and maintenance rights granted under the RP as allowing recreational uses that would normally be associated with the operations of a resort hotel — including placement of lounge chairs and cabana tents for hotel guests, as well as storage of those items. All of these activities are only on the grassy lawn area.
Over the decades, as prior owners believed was consistent with the RP, the state parcel has been used in conjunction with hotel operations for resort recreational purposes. The hotel understood that the RP allows materials similarly related to resort recreational uses, such as other seating, hammocks, a beach shower, a towel caddy and the storage of ocean recreational aquatic equipment (such as surfboards, kayaks, canoes).
Recently, The Kahala Hotel has taken significant steps to reduce its use of, and impact on, the state parcel and the public beach:
>> Cleared the beach entirely of pre-set chairs and cabana tents and loungers.
>> Removed the gazebo and tile platform fronting the gazebo from the state parcel.
>> Removed the trellis that was located on the Koko Head side of the state parcel.
>> All seating in the Seaside Grill restaurant is on hotel property only and landscaping was adjusted for convenient lateral access through that area.
>> Repurposed an area within the hotel property that is now used for weddings, using portable gazebos.
>> Earlier this year, the hotel underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation of Hoku’s and The Veranda. That work included a full renovation of the lawn within the state parcel, including removal of potential tripping hazards from the hau tree roots. A “Welcome Public Access” sign was placed on the Diamond Head side of the lawn, which serves as a clear and welcoming message to the public.
>> Based on suggestions from community members, signage on the mauka-makai public accessway from the hotel driveway to the shoreline (between the hotel and adjoining condominiums) has been relocated to be more easily seen from the hotel driveway.
>> Informed all of its vendors that no surf or similar lessons can be conducted on the beach. While the hotel does provide opportunities for guests to take surf, stand-up paddleboard and kayak lessons, none of the related recreational equipment is stored on the beach, and any instruction is given either mauka of the beach, or in the water.
>> Hotel staffers have been instructed that everyone, hotel guests and the general public, has full rights to traverse the state parcel and the public beach.
It is hoped that these unprecedented actions on the part of the current hotel ownership demonstrate that we are sincerely engaged in trying to make The Kahala Hotel & Resort a truly welcoming place for the community as well as hotel guests.
With respect to the rental payments for the revocable permit, the state set the amount to be paid for the existing RP. The hotel understands that formalizing the practices that have been going on for years (long before the current ownership) may involve paying additional fees or increased rent. The hotel is willing to pay a reasonable fee for use of the state fill land. The state Land Department has suggested that the future rental amount be determined by independent appraiser. We agree with this recommendation.
We join you in seeing that there be clarity in the revocable permit to remove any ambiguities in that agreement so that, going forward, all parties, including the public, have a clear understanding of what is permitted on the state parcel.
Gerald Glennon is the general manager of the Kahala Hotel & Resort.
