The region extending from Windward O'ahu to the North Shore has changed radically since statehood, with suburban sprawl creeping up the east shoreline through the Ko'olauloa district. Although Kailua and Kane'ohe were the first "country" towns to shift into suburbia, the development pressures on the Windward coast are boiling over.

Ground Zero of the newest growth explosion is, of course, the controversial Turtle Bay resort and residential complex. To some extent, the issue lies firmly beyond the bounds of state lawmakers: Two decades ago, the City Council signed a unilateral agreement. The question of whether the environmental studies performed at the time are still valid has been placed before the courts, but for now, state lawmakers have not tangled with the issue.

They probably will do so, very soon. Such developments — and there are several coming up along the coast — have repercussions on state highways and environmental quality, and state representatives will have a chance to intercede on behalf of their constituents.

The Advertiser believes the Democratic incumbent for the 46th District (Kahuku-North Shore-Schofield), state Rep. Michael Magaoay, with six years of experience, has kept in touch with neighborhood leaders and will best serve the community's needs. His job, if he is re-elected, will be to advocate for taxpayers: Growth will come, but in an area with such limited highways and other public facilities, the government should see that developers share the burden.

He and the other incumbents on the east side have done a good job representing the voters' interests. State Reps. Ken Ito, D-48th District (Kane'ohe), Pono Chong, D-49th District (Kane'ohe, Maunawili, Enchanted Lake) and Tommy Waters, D-51st District (Waimanalo, Lanikai) have championed some important upgrades to the aging school facilities. Some worthy ideas for transit improvements are envisioned, including an H-3 onramp on the eastbound side of Likelike Highway, contraflow on the Pali Highway, and improvements to Kalaniana'ole Highway to ease Waimanalo traffic backups.

A more frustrating job lies in the final and long-overdue settlement of the Kawai Nui Marsh restoration. Windward residents have the right to expect their leaders to pull together and broker an agreement on the jurisdictional and liability dispute. It's on such knotty issues that experience is essential.