Two committees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have approved a watered-down motion expressing OHA's continued interest in Waimea Falls Park.
Trustee John Waihee IV had urged trustees to support the purchase of the 1,800-acre property on Oahu's North Shore. He also complained about "cynics and pessimists" blocking great notions.
"It's a good investment," Waihee said. "It has the potential of being an economic development thing and it's an opportunity we should seize."
But trustee Oswald Stender said that he doubted OHA could make money where three other owners have failed.
"We have to decide whether to spend this kind of money rather than providing for health care, housing, education and those things that are more real to our constituents."
Stender said that he would not oppose OHA helping the city preserve cultural sites on the property.
The Honolulu City Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether to acquire the property by condemnation and change its emphasis from adventure rides to cultural and educational activities.
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