KEALAKEHE, Hawaii – The Leeward Planning Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to revoke a permit issued in 1991 for numerous golf courses at Aina Le’a along the Kohala Coast.

According to the Planning Department’s report, Use Permit No. 90 was issued by the Planning Commission on December 19, 1991 – originally to Puako Hawaii Properties – to allow the construction of six, 18-hole championship golf courses, a golf teaching academy and related improvements on approximately 3,000 acres of land.

In 2005, the State Land Use Law was changed to prohibit golf courses on lands in the Agricultural District. About 1,940 acres of Use Permit No. 90 were impacted. However, a grandfather clause allowed for golf courses given county approval before July 1, 2005.

At least three of the Aina Le’a golf courses were required to be completed by September 30, 2011. County planners say, to date, construction has not begun.

“Bridge Aina Le’a LLC has indicated in writing that they have no plans to develop their approx. 1,940 acres in the near future,” the Planning Department reported. “Aina Le’a, Inc. et al intends to develop one golf course on the SLU urban land and will submit an application for a new Use Permit for that golf course in the future.”

No one from Aina Le’a was present for the commission meeting.