The Sierra Club and Friends of Makakilo on Thursday began what’s expected to be days of testimony on why the master planned community of Hoopili shouldn’t be built. 

Witnesses included experts in hydrology and agriculture, local farmers and Peter Apo, a trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Key points in their argument included the negative impact that the loss of the 1,500-acre tract of ag land would have on the state’s goals of food sustainability; the quality of life that would result in the loss of the green view plane; and the impact on traffic. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s coverage. William Tam, head of the state water commission, is expected to testify on whether the state has adequate water resources to accommodate Oahu’s long-term development plans.

Read more detail in posts by Sophie Cocke in her Land Beat.