The idea of yet another massive resort along O'ahu's shores would, in many cases, be met with a collective groan. Instead, plans for an 800-room oceanfront resort in Ko Olina are being viewed as a positive step and a welcome opportunity.

Perhaps that's because the folks at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts seem to have all the makings of a great neighbor. According to a report by Advertiser writer Robbie Dingeman, the Disney group hosted a lunch with Wai'anae Coast community members and cultural leaders, during which executives discussed their intent to be culturally sensitive and to honor "culturally appropriate concepts."

Sounds good so far, but the sincerity of that commitment won't be determined until construction begins, and after the resort is up and running.

A good way for Disney executives to help cement the community's high hopes is by following through with their stated intention to add 200 public parking stalls in the area, thus increasing public access to the beach and man-made lagoons.

Protecting shoreline access in the Islands has long been a priority, both legally and culturally, originating in kingdom law.

In 1968, the Hawai'i Supreme Court ruled that the boundary defining the public beaches should be established as "the upper reaches of the wash of the waves," sometimes described as the vegetation line or the debris line.

Since then, public ownership of the shoreline is something Hawai'i has worked hard to protect.

So along with creating much-needed jobs in the area, and helping to boost efforts to make Kapolei the "second city," it's good to see that Disney is incorporating a sense of place in its planning.

Let's just hope what we see is what we'll get.