Luxury Farmers?

Kauai

Agri-real estate communities in Hawaii are on the rise, but the idea of developing luxury dwellings on prime agricultural land on Kauai is “agri-vating” a lot of residents. However, the jury is still out on Kealanani, a 2,021-acre development just outside of Kapaa.

According to co-developer Paul Kyno, 80 percent of the land will be devoted to agriculture. But Kealanani is not a typical farm: Brochures also tout access to nine lush valleys, waterfalls, a 12-mile loop trail, and breathtaking mountain and ocean vistas, among other on-site amenities. The development plans 190 home sites, ranging from 3- to 100-acre parcels, priced between $500,000 and $3 million. The first 47 lots were released for sale in November and construction of the first home is expected to begin next year.

Kyno says each homeowner will be required to submit a usage plan prior to building, detailing how the land will be farmed. The plan must then be approved by a committee of agricultural consultants and will be closely monitored by a homeowners’ association.

“We want this to be a true ag project,” says Kyno, a 30-year Kauai resident. “We intend to have Kauai community representatives and at least one member of the farm bureau participate in this review panel. We don’t want people to think of this as another gentlemen’s farm.” Kyno adds that Kauai County officials have been very supportive of Kealanani and helped speed up the permitting process.

“When the developers of Kealanani first submitted their plans to the county for approval, they presented several forward-looking subdivision conditions that had not been submitted to the Planning Department before,” says Ian Costa, Kauai County planning director. “The Kealanani project is very innovative and seems like it will benefit the people of Kauai.”

Kauai councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura says many concerned residents have adopted a wait-and-see attitude. “[The developers] have tried to meet the intentions of an agricultural sub-division, but I don’t know if they’ll be able to succeed. A lot of people are skeptical,” she says.

As of late May, 22 parcels had been sold — five of which, Kyno says, were purchased by kamaaina. There are also plans to build 100 affordable homes on the property.

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