HONOLULU -- Waimea Valley is considered one of the last pristine valleys left on Oahu. Residents and Hawaiian cultural experts were outraged Wednesday when they found out the city is considering an offer to subdivide part of the valley for development.

Waimea Valley has been operated by the National Audubon Society since the city took control in 2002 with plans to purchase the park through condemnation.

Sources said bankrupt investor Christian Wolffert now is offering to sell Waimea for the $5.2 million the city has set aside to buy it. In return, the city would have to allow Wolffert to develop eight homes on 1,500 acres at the back of the valley and allow construction of an ecology camp for tourists.

Opponents protested subdividing the valley for development.

"It would be a destruction and the whispers of the valley would be those who would weep," said Betty Jenkins, of the Waimea Valley Stewardship Board.

"I understand the difficult task you have before you now. My biggest hope is you will take the longest view you possibly can, remembering that Waimea Valley was the home of the kahuna nui on Oahu for 40 generations," former Waimea Valley Director Diana King said.

"We still have the chance to make this valley almost pristine," Waimea Valley Audubon employee David Orr said.

The city has until Dec. 7 to reject Wolffert's offer. If it is rejected, the price the city will pay for Waimea Valley will be decided in court proceedings in February.

Council members will continue reviewing the Waimea Valley offer Thursday. Some want to accept the deal because they fear if they wait to go to court, the price for Waimea Valley might be more than the $25 million the developer originally wanted to sell it for.