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Castle & Cooke Hawaii said Monday the company has had inquiries from people who want to live in Koa Ridge, the 3,500-home development it will build in central Oahu.
In a statement, Castle & Cooke said it will proceed with the development despite a Dec. 23 state Supreme Court decision invalidating a 2010 Land Use Commission approval of the project.
Two years later, the commission voted again to approve reclassifying land between Waipio and Mililani from agricultural to urban use. Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed into law a bill last month that finalizes rezoning of the property.
"The (Supreme Court) ruling does not prevent us from proceeding with Koa Ridge," the company said. "A 2012 LUC approval remains in effect, and last month, Bill 48 (Ordinance 13-38) was signed into law by Mayor Kirk Caldwell that completes the city’s rezoning process."
The Supreme Court ruling was based solely "on a technicality beyond our control," the company said.
"The merits of Castle & Cooke’s Koa Ridge project were never in question and we remain committed to moving forward with the project," Castle & Cooke said. "We have heard from many of you and are overwhelmed by the positive responses and inquiries from families who hope to call Koa Ridge home," the developer said.
Castle & Cooke anticipates breaking ground in 2015 and completing its first homes in 2016.