Hawaiian Home Lands seeks partner to develop Kauai resort

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is looking for private help to develop a resort or other commercial operation near the Wailua River on Kauai. The department wants to lease 52 acres which have already been zoned for development. The development would be the first of its kind, with proceeds going directly to a nearby Hawaiian Home Lands residential development on the other side of the Kuhio Highway. Hawaiian Homes director Micah Kane says the agency would like to see a thriving Hawaiian community in the area. The proposal calls for $35 million up front and $4.6 million in annual rent, with the initial money going to pay for 200 Hawaiian homes.