Ellison plans new Lanai hotel, runway
Desalination plant, improved access to UH-MC also detailed
January 26, 2013
By MELISSA TANJI - Staff Writer (mtanji@mauinews.com) , The Maui News
A bungalow-style hotel, a desalination plant and a new airport runway are part of billionaire and new Lanai owner Larry Ellison's vision for the island, Lanai residents said Friday.
The computer technology guru also reportedly would like to see one of the island's luxury hotels, possibly Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay, go "off the grid," as well as expand University of Hawaii Maui College's outreach to the island, residents added.
At a Lanai Community Plan Advisory Committee meeting Thursday night, committee members said that Kurt Matsumoto, the chief operating officer of Ellison's Lanai Resorts LLC, presented a vision statement for the island but set no timeline and stressed that the proposals were just a vision.
A message left for Matsumoto at his office Friday afternoon was not immediately returned.
Although committee members did note there were many proposals, that could take years to develop, they reported the vision was "positive" because proposals also included improvements to health care, education, housing and conservation on the island.
"It's exciting times," said committee member Caron Green, who has noticed beautification projects popping up in the small town after Ellison bought the island.
"This island was suffering tremendously the last few years, there's a lot more positive energy right now," he said.
Longtime outspoken Lanai resident Ron McOmber described the plans as "positive," but he added he also had some concerns about some of the visionary goals.
"My God, the stuff he talked about was millions and millions of dollars and probably years and years away," he said.
McOmber said that the plans "scared me a little bit" because he worried about how much control Ellison may have over the people of Lanai.
"I'm concerned. It will have a direct effect on us in many ways. I'm lucky. I'm retired. I own my own property. I'm in good shape. I don't know what's going to happen."
State Rep. Mele Carroll, whose district includes Lanai, said in a statement that is was impossible to put into words the surprise she felt when she read a story about Ellison possibly building a third hotel on Lanai.
She said she has not been informed of any plans by Ellison or his representatives, so can neither confirm nor deny what she read.
"If the story is true, I really do welcome the economic benefits that development will bring to the island," Carroll said. "However, how that development will actually impact the island's natural beauty and cultural diversity is essential to consider. In order to determine that impact, I believe he must communicate with the community and the state about his longer plans and goals. As I previously stated, I would really like to keep open the lines of communication between him and the representatives of the state," Carroll said.
