October 1, 2010 – Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Voice of Stephanie Salazar
The Leeward Planning Commission met at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel yesterday – just down the road from Saint Michael’s Catholic Church on Alii Drive – where more than 100 church members cheered approval of a Special Management Area Use Permit for the congregation.
The historic Saint Michael’s Catholic Church was heavily damaged in the October 2006 Kiholo earthquakes. The landmark white stone building was deemed unsafe and had to be torn down. The SMA Use Permit approval clears the way for plans to build a new church, rectory and parish hall on its 3 acre parcel just across from Hale Halawai Park and Waterfront Row.
Church members were also relieved to hear that a contested case hearing sought by a neighboring property owner had been withdrawn.
