Kaukonahua Ranch LLC purchases roughly 2,300 acres of agricultural land on the slopes below Mount Kaʻala.
This is the foundation for the proposed gondola, zipline, and tourism facilities.
Honolulu Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) issues a Conditional Use Permit under the category of agritourism.
This permit is what the developer continues to rely on today—and it’s the permit now being reconsidered.
What the permit originally allowed:
“Agritourism”-based visitor activities
Limited structures for agricultural operations
Guest access tied to agriculture-first land use
The gondola proposal already began stretching the definition of agritourism.
The developer continues preparing plans behind the scenes, with minimal community engagement.
During this period:
Agricultural activity on the land remains extremely limited
Large tourism-based plans begin taking shape
The gondola concept is drafted internally
No public process yet—just groundwork.
Plans surface showing a tourism project involving:
A gondola
Zipline courses
A visitor center + café
Retail and recreation structures
Trails cut into agricultural land
Public reaction begins building momentum.
Residents, cultural practitioners, farmers, and environmental groups begin speaking out.
Primary concerns:
Desecration of sacred Mount Kaʻala
Native habitat destruction
Watershed risk
Misuse of agricultural zoning
Tourism traffic impacting rural roads
New details show the project could attract 1,600–1,700 visitors per day, overwhelming Kaukonahua Road and local infrastructure.
Environmental concerns escalate:
Endangered species habitat
Native forest disruption
Watershed interference
Erosion risk on steep slopes
The Honolulu City Council votes to urge DPP to revoke the 2019 CUP, stating the project no longer fits amended agritourism definitions.
A new zoning ordinance strengthens this, requiring:
Agriculture to be the primary land use
Tourism to be secondary and connected to farming
Projects to meet stricter land-use intent
This seriously undermines the legal basis for a gondola.
DPP sends an official letter to the developer stating it is re-evaluating the permit due to:
Unmet permit conditions
Lack of community consultation
Proximity to unexploded ordnance
Environmental and cultural risks
Changes in zoning laws
A public hearing is expected.
The project is not dead, but it is on shaky ground.
If the permit is revoked:
The gondola cannot legally proceed
The developer must reapply under stricter laws
The community gains a major victory
If the developer appeals or modifies:
The fight continues
More hearings and public input will be needed
Zoning law interpretation becomes key
Mount Kaʻala represents:
Native Hawaiian cultural heritage
An endangered ecological zone
Critical watershed areas
One of Oʻahu’s last intact rural landscapes
A gondola and zipline system would permanently commercialize and alter this place.
Stay informed
Share this timeline
Speak at public hearings
Support cultural and environmental groups
Submit testimony when DPP takes action
Protecting Kaʻala protects culture, our environment, and helps keep the country, country.