Grove Farm Co., which owns the land at Koloa Camp on Kauai, has turned down an offer from a local developer to purchase the property to help tenants facing eviction stay in their homes.
But some residents are vowing to barricade themselves in their houses when the evictions come.
Peter Savio sent a letter to Grove Farm last month expressing interest in buying the land under Koloa Camp at its appraised value.
Savio received a letter Thursday rejecting his offer.
Senior Vice President Michael Tresler said Grove Farm was not interested in selling the property and that it plans to pursue a proposed development called Waihohonu, a 50-unit residential subdivision.
In November, Grove Farm issued 120-day eviction notices to tenants, ordering them to leave the property by March 8 to make way for the project. One of the eight residential tenants has since relocated, according to Grove Farm Vice President Marissa Sandblom.
"I’m disappointed," said Savio. "There’s not a lot of plantation camps left. … That part of our history is being lost."
The homes at Koloa Camp were part of Japanese Camp C of the first sugar plantation established in Hawaii.
In the letter, Tresler said the project will provide affordable, energy-efficient housing in the area for families and will maintain the charm of Koloa town. "We intend to develop and sell house and lot packages versus selling vacant lots," he stated, adding that some tenants "do have strong desires to purchase homes" in the proposed development.
Savio said he spoke to Tresler on Thursday, telling him he is still willing to purchase the land and sell the lots to the tenants if the company changes its mind. Savio was able to assist Poamoho Camp tenants on Oahu in a similar manner in 2004.
"It’s not a profit-motive thing. It’s just to save the history and help Grove Farm find a win-win situation," said Savio.
Tenants say they are anxious as the eviction date approaches.
Kepa Kruse, who was raised at Koloa Camp, said a petition was initiated to seek community support in their effort to stay put. So far, tenants have collected a few hundred signatures and hope to collect 3,000.
"No one in this camp supports this project, regardless of what they (Grove Farm) say," said Kruse.
Kruse, along with some tenants and supporters, held a protest at the entrance of Koloa town Sunday where they held signs calling out to the community and Grove Farm to preserve Koloa Camp.
If all else fails, Kruse said, tenants plan to barricade themselves in their homes.
Sandblom said Grove Farm is asking tenants to cooperate and abide by the landlord-tenant law.
"We’ve been allowing tenants to pay well below market rent for years and years. It’s important to remember that moving forward with this project will allow 50 families to plant their roots in the area," she added, reiterating that tenants were offered first priority to the new homes in the proposed development. "Change is always unsettling. We understand that. It’s going to be tough."
The county housing agency has offered assistance to tenants with rental options that include housing in Koloa and Hanamaulu.
