[ This is the complete version of a speech John Orr delivered at an ASP awards ceremony in Hawaii before the new year. Orr had been asked to give Cheyne Horan's acceptance speech for winning the ASP Masters, Under 40, competition in France and he used the occasion to make an important point on behalf of the Surfrider Foundation and the North Shore. The full text is printed below. ]
I want to also Congratulate Occy, Sonny, Slater, Layne and all the Winners here tonight; including Cheyne and Rabbit and I want to thank Rabbit for letting me talk for Cheyne. Rabbit also said I could say something short for Surfrider and Save Sunset Beach and the Obayashi project.
I apologize for just coming up and talking unscheduled last year (about the Obayashi Project – people were talking about how much they donated to different causes, and No One mentioned, helping fight the Obayashi Project, which could devastate the North Shore). I just couldn’t help it. It feels a lot better to get permission.
I’ve been working with Peter Cole, Doug Rodman, Larry McElheny and some other people, for many years, trying to raise money through music, like at the Blue Water Bashes, to fight the Obayashi project. I think it should be of Great Concern to the whole Pro Surfing trip; because it will greatly effect you.
The Obayashi Corporation already won the right to build 340 luxury homes on 2 acre parcels, a YMCA with 80 elderly apartments and 50 more low-income apartments. The only reason he’s not building right now, is Surfrider and Save Sunset Beach is appealing the verdict, on a violation of zoning. We’re taking this case to the Supreme Court. If we lose, we all will see Big Changes Soon, probably by the end of two years. Obayashi spent over $10 million to get about 1140 acres that they bought about 25 years ago. I don’t think they are planning to give up their project.
North Shore residents, environmental groups, and professional surfers are among those who proposed a park at this site. We envision the land as an “Open Space Recreation Area” closely related to all the nearby ocean activities and emphasizing Hawaiian culture.
The “Park” concept fits perfectly with the objectives stated in The Development Plan of The City and County of Honolulu, which says: “The role of the North Shore Development Plan area is to retain Oahu’s rural character, open space, natural recreational resources, scenic beauty, and agricultural lands, in contrast to the more urbanized Development Plan areas of Oahu”. Every other official planning policy document for Oahu echoes this philosophy.
Can you guys imagine, giant Bulldozers tearing apart the mountain almost above Sunset Beach through Pipe and almost to Pupukea. If we have heavy rains, like we normally have some times, you guys will all be Surfing in Chocolate Waves for awhile. And can you imagine over a thousand more people and about a thousand more cars right around this area. All these people wash their cars and clothes like most people do. And I think most people don’t use or care to use biodegradeable products; and most of these detergents will work their way back into our Ocean.
In about the last year I’ve seen two turtles beach themselves on the North Shore. Because of tumors. One was completely blinded by tumors and had about ten tumors on him; the other blinded by a tumor in one eye, but he had a whole bunch of tumors on him and they both were Very Sick. It was a very, very, sad, sight. I’ve dove and speared fish for a living for over 20 years. About 30 years ago, I never saw turtles with tumors and I saw many turtles. In the last about 15 years I started seeing a lot of turtles with tumors on the North Shore. If you would like to see some tumored turtles just go to the right side a Laniakea, where people feed the turtles; that’s where we saw the turtle with the tumor on one eye. I’m sure there’s more. We don’t need any extra pollution, or traffic on the North Shore; there’s enough already.
When I was a kid growing up Surfing with Reno, the Downings, The Blairs family, and Gerry Lopez, we had lots of friends living in regular houses by Waikiki Beach. Then they let people build lots of hotels in Waikiki; and all our friends had to move. I believe the Obayashi project is the start of big buildings on the North Shore and if we don’t stop it I predict they’ll find a way to build big hotels within 30 years on the North Shore.
As the Save Sunset Beach Coalition would say: The North Shore of Oahu is a global Treasure “Save It, Don’t Pave It”. We owe about $5,000.00 in lawyer’s fees; even though the lawyers are working for free. They have to pay for people working for them and other legal costs. If someone could donate $10,000.00, it could pay to help fight the Obayashi project for about another year. If you guys want to Help a good cause, which is just letting that Mountain be a Natural Public Open Space or Public Park. Please support the Sunset Beach Coalition and Surfrider (Oahu) and Contact Peter Cole [via Surfrider]. It’s also a tax write off. All you Surfer’s that come to the North Shore to Surf and Everyone in the Surf trip, should Really get behind this.
Mahalo & Aloha
– John Orr
