Vision for Turtle Bay Guided by Community
For nearly 40 years, the community has been dedicated to shaping a shared vision for Turtle Bay in alignment with the Ko‘olauloa Sustainable Communities Plan. The vision protects the natural environment and preserves open spaces for the public in perpetuity while allowing responsible resort and residential development.
Plans for Turtle Bay date back to 1986, when the resort was granted a Special Management Area (SMA) permit and entered into a Unilateral Agreement with the City and County of Honolulu that allowed the development of 20 parcels with up to 3,500 new units. Following extensive community dialogue and settlement agreements, Turtle Bay’s development plans have evolved to limit the number of new units to 725, preserving 75% of the property as open space in perpetuity and reducing the density of future development by 80%.
The preservation of Turtle Bay is one of the many qualities that attracted Areté Collective to O‘ahu’s North Shore. Founded on the belief that development can be done sustainably, honoring the natural beauty of the land and benefiting surrounding communities, Areté sincerely appreciates the thought and care invested in determining the future of the area. Its project has always been guided by the feedback of local residents and respects and reflects the SMA permit conditions, Unilateral Agreement, and Ko‘olauloa Sustainable Communities Plan.
Collectively, these historic steps were a huge win for conservation and limited future development to just 25% of the property, reducing the density allowed by 80%
Recent News
Development Update January 2026
Work continues at Kaihalulu East Drive with utilities being installed.
Mauka drainage basins excavation continues as weather allows.
Vertical construction at RR3 phase 1 to resume in February with a targeted completion in early 2027.
Shoreline restoration and native planting are ongoing with 2,500 native plants installed in 2025.
Building Understanding and Empowering Stewardship Throughout Construction
At Areté Collective, our approach to creating new communities centers on respecting the rich history of the land, honoring its natural beauty, and protecting the native and endangered species that call it home.
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
At Areté Collective, preserving Hawai‘i’s landscapes means protecting the iconic palms that define our communities and culture. The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) is an invasive threat to these trees, capable of weakening or killing palms if left unchecked. Addressing this challenge requires proactive management, careful monitoring and collaboration across the community.