“We thought we were just taking responsibility for doing the right thing."

Not even.  Why not try taking responsibility for doing the wrong thing.  All along, this hui has been following the motto "easier to get forgiveness than permission".  That's not how land utilization works, especially when trying to develop property in that area.  I don't buy their altruistic explanations.  You guys go by the book, get real community input by holding public forums, submit your plans and get your permitting first instead of doing it on the sly and sneaking it in.  I got no aloha for this bunch, too much ho'omalimali so far.