HONOLULU -- The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday night unanimously rejected a proposal by a private landowner to subdivide Waimea Valley.

As KITV first reported Tuesday, the National Audubon Society stepped in at the 11th hour to offer to help the city purchase Waimea Valley in its entirety.

Dozens of people signed up to testify. All were opposed to subdividing and building homes on the North Shore land that is considered to be Oahu's last naturally pristine valley.

The president of the National Audubon Society arrived from New York. John Fitcher said he is negotiating with the Bank of Hawaii for a loan to help the city come up with what the court said Waimea should cost.

Supporters of keeping Waimea Valley whole said it is a priceless treasure that once subdivided will be lost forever. They massed to urge the council to reject an offer from the bankrupt owner to subdivide it.

Recently, Christian Wolffer, the owner of the park, made an offer to the city to try to avoid going to court. Wolffer's offer is to allow the city retain the 3,000 acres now reserved for the park in return for giving him the remaining 1,500 acres to subdivide into eight homes and an eco-lodge for tourists.

"We have to say no to anything that will open the door (to development). Save Waimea. Don't divide it don't develop it. Thank you for being here together we will win this," one opponent said.

Fitcher said the National Audubon's plan should save the valley from commercial development and others agree.

"We would like to put together some bridge financing and hopefully we can work it out quite soon and we would like to come back to the city with a package in January," Fitcher said.

"I think between the state, the county and us there is enough money to do this," Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Oswald Stender said.

"I am very confident at this point that there are so many interested parties that we can do both things: preserve the valley and preserve some taxpayer dollars," Councilwoman Barbara Marshall said.

In testimony before the council, some offered to contribute their own money to preserve Waimea from commercial use. One man offered $1,000 from his retirement savings.