HONOLULU (AP) - Gov. Neil Abercrombie asked the Public Land Development Corp. to put off any action on pending rules while the state fully considers and addresses public concerns about the agency.
The governor said in a statement Friday that he had asked the organization's board to postpone any meetings until the concerns are considered.
Critics say the law creating the agency - passed last year - allows land to be developed without zoning rules or other restrictions.
"I think that Governor Abercrombie is doing the right thing," said Mahina Martin of Maui, who is the founder of PLDC Watch. "Putting the brakes on any further advancement by the PLDC shows respect for what communities across Hawaii want."
The governor said he doesn't want the potential for the corporation to accomplish public good to be lost because the state failed to account for reservations.
Abercrombie said his administration will do its best to alleviate public concerns. But he said the Legislature created the agency and will be the ones to decide its future.
