Kauaʻi’s largest private landowner, the Robinson family, has faced significant setbacks in their long-planned resort project on the island’s rural Westside, which they initially proposed over two decades ago.
After obtaining permits and zoning changes, the family aimed to transform the historic Gay & Robinson plantation mansion into a 250-room plantation-style inn on the 170-acre Kapalawai site.
However, the project never materialized, and new developers from Dubai are currently attempting to revive it, yet Kauaʻi County is now reversing its previous support.
Kauaʻi County Planning Director Kaʻāina Hull has initiated efforts to revoke critical permits associated with the project and revert the land’s zoning from resort back to agriculture.
In two lengthy petitions submitted to the county Planning Commission last month, Hull expressed concern that the Robinson family has delayed progress on the project for too long, allowing essential entitlements to expire.
He also highlighted a growing community opposition toward resort expansion, particularly due to the negative impacts of increased tourism.
While Hull declined to comment specifically on the matter, former state senator and Kauaʻi council member Gary Hooser articulated the situation, stating, “It comes down to use it or lose it.”
“Changing the zoning gives tremendous value to landowners, but it’s supposed to be for the public benefit,” Hooser remarked, emphasizing that the county had granted the Robinson family significant economic advantages without receiving the anticipated jobs and tax revenue in return.
To this date, construction has yet to begin on the Kapalawai project site, which lies in the heart of the Robinson family’s expansive 55,000 acres on Kauaʻi.
In addition to their Kauaʻi landholdings, the Robinson family also owns the entire 45,000-acre island of Niʻihau, purchased from King Kamehameha V in the mid-1800s for the sum of $10,000.
Kauaʻi Planning Commission Chairman Francis DeGracia noted that he had not yet reviewed Hull’s petitions and that a public hearing has yet to be scheduled.
There has been no comment from Gay & Robinson Vice President Howard Greene, and the Robinson Family Partners have not responded to inquiries made through Greene.
Additionally, Kerzner International, a luxury resort and home developer involved in the project, also did not respond to requests for comments.
Kauaʻi is renowned for its extensive farmlands, ranching regions, wilderness areas, and open spaces. The Robinson family, as the second-largest landholder on the island, has played a crucial role in preserving this landscape.
Their land, which includes seven miles of undeveloped coastline, is predominantly zoned for agriculture.
The proposed resort site encompasses the family’s historic 1897 compound, featuring a 17,000-square-foot mansion, a history museum, restaurants, a spa, three swimming pools, and an ancient Hawaiian fishpond.
The development aims to not only restore the old estate full of historical artifacts from the Hawaiian monarchy but also to provide the family with a new revenue source following the decline of the sugar industry.
The Robinson family views the resort as a vital opportunity to adapt to the changing economic landscape, especially after the sugar industry’s collapse.
The transition has proved challenging; initial opposition from within the family nearly derailed the development, primarily due to concerns about shifting away from their strict tradition of observing the Sabbath rest day.
After initially receiving key permits, the project faced delays as financial resources dwindled in the lead-up to the 2008 economic crisis.
A subsequent developer invested a million dollars in the project but passed away before the foundations could be laid.
Compounding the difficulty, disputes regarding the property’s shoreline have arisen, with one West Kauaʻi resident challenging the state’s assessment of the high-water mark.
Such disputes have necessitated significant redesigns for the proposed resort.
The fenced-off project site is situated near a popular West Kauaʻi surf break, leading to concerns among some local residents about potential crowding in an area not typically frequented by tourists.
Retired hotel maintenance worker and avid surfer Ernest DeSilva expressed understanding of the Robinson family’s need for a new revenue stream, but he also voiced skepticism toward the feasibility of a resort in an area lacking the picturesque appeal of more revered locales like Poʻipū or Hanalei.
“I remember when they first got approval, my first thought was, ‘I wonder how much demand for a brown water beach there’s going to be,’” he reflected, spotlighting the less attractive features of the beach in the area.
Despite this sentiment, Waimea Plantation Cottages—located five miles north—has successfully operated as a similar resort choice, offering 59 plantation-style cottages on a 43-acre property adjacent to a black sand beach.
Greg Holzman, a commercial fisherman and cycad farmer based in Kekaha, has noted the need for new industry jobs in the West Kauaʻi agricultural region.
He reiterated that while tourism propels Kauaʻi’s economy, the Westside currently has only one resort property.
“I don’t see my kids or my friends’ kids wanting to work in the hot fields,” Holzman added, advocating for alternative employment opportunities.
Agriculture remains the pillar of the Robinson family business, which oversees 6,000 acres of former sugarcane fields and large cattle ranching estates.
In a move toward diversification, the family has also ventured into renewable energy with two hydroelectric plants and a proposed solar farm partnership with AES Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative.
The family additionally manages about 350 former plantation homes, providing affordable housing options for employees and local residents.
Bruce and Keith Robinson’s commitment to community extends to the housing they provide for approximately 40 Hawaiian families with historical ties to Niʻihau, exemplifying their dedication to preserving the Hawaiian language and culture.
Ultimately, the island of Niʻihau remains exclusively accessible to its residents and those few individuals granted permission by the Robinson family to visit.
The once-promising resort project is now in limbo, with its future dependent on actions from the county and the Robinson family’s ability to navigate a complex landscape of community sentiment, economic necessity, and preservation.
image source from：civilbeat
