LIHU'E, Kauai — A land deal years in the making came to fruition Wednesday when the Kaua'i County Council unanimously approved a plan that will secure 138 oceanfront acres on the Ninini coastline near Líhu'e Airport for public use in perpetuity.

"We get to own 138 acres of beachfront property," said Council Chairman Bill "Kaipo" Asing, who played a key role in the negotiations according to various sources.

Asing described the parcel as a "unique coastal resource" special to him personally after years of fishing and said the "free and clear ownership" — at no financial cost to the county — was "a win-win situation" for the public and the developer that made the land available.

In exchange for the transfer, Kaua'i Lagoons was granted four land use amendments to expand its development project in Näwiliwili or Kalapaki.

"We're just ecstatic," said Kevin Showe, manager of Kaua'i Development LLC, a former partner of Marriott in the Kaua'i Lagoons venture. He said outside Council Chambers following the vote that the original proposal to turn the 138 acres into a public access area similar to Queen Kapiolani Park on O'ahu "really hit home" and everyone worked hard to "make the dream a reality."

Other key players in the multi-year negotiations were former Council Chair Ron Kouchi, a representative of Kaua'i Lagoons, former County Attorney Mike Belles and former Mayor and Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura.

"I'm very glad that it passed because I think it means some good news for the people of Kaua'i, especially the people of Líhu'e, because it means 138 acres of coastal land will be dedicated to the county," Yukimura said.

She added that the land will likely one day host Phase 6 of Ke Ala Hele Makalae multi-use coastal path — between Ahukini and Näwiliwili — and the monetary value of the land will be eligible as a match for more federal dollars for the project.

She said part of the idea was to form a "lei of green" around the island as a buffer between development and the ocean.

For more information on Kaua'i Lagoons, visit www.kauailagoonsgolf.com. For more information on the multi-use coastal path's route through Líhu'e, visit www.kauaipath.org.