by Andrew Walden
What will be OHA’s next move on Kaka’ako Makai development?
OHA is threatening litigation after its appeal for upzoning failed in the House.
Trustees April 15, 2021, will be discussing their Kakaako Makai plan-–as well as plans for Na Lama Kukui--in closed ‘executive session’ and in public, including:
A. Deliberation and decision making on the Report of the Permitted Interaction Group re: to Investigate the Development of Land and Commercial Property Policies and Strategies relating to the Development of OHA’s Nā Lama Kukui and Kakaʻako Makai Properties, pursuant to HRS§92-2.5(b)(1)(c)
1. Action Item BOT#21-03: Accept the Report of the Land and Commercial Property Permitted Interaction Group
2. Action Item BOT#21-04: Approve the Solicitation of a Request for Proposal for a Development Consultant
3. Action Item BOT #21-05: Approve the Formation of a Permitted Interaction Group to Investigate: and Recommend a Short List of Eligible Entities for Selection of a Development Consultant; Land and Commercial Property Policies; and the Development and Implementation of a Request for Proposal for a Community Planner
None of this mentions OHA’s recent threat to sue on the theory that “OHA is entitled to parity with the same zoning allowances that other mauka developers have already received.”
Balloon Surprise: Na Lama Kukui Suddenly Part of OHA’s Kaka’ako Makai Agenda
Readers of the April 15, 2021, board packet will learn that financing for OHA’s Na Lama Kukui includes a $17.2M balloon payment due July 31, 2022. (pg 52). This has not previously been revealed publicly. For instance, the 2020 OHA Annual Report (p15) mentions “$23,285,000 in liabilities due after one year” without specifying any details. Akamai readers will remember back to 2013: “Surprise: Entire OHA Trust Fund Frozen by Gentry Pacific Boondoggle.”
OHA’s plan to hire a “development consultant” should sound familiar because it has already been done and failed:
According to 2014 ‘Policy Guidelines’ included in the board packet (p80):
OHA currently holds lands which are classified as (a) legacy lands, (b) corporate real estate, (c) programmatic lands, and (d) investment properties (collectively, the "OHA Lands"). Over time OHA will add to or dispose of certain of these lands and it is prudent for the Committee to periodically review not less than every 3 years the overall allocation of these real estate holdings into each category and to strive for a balance among these categories which satisfies the objectives of Paragraph 1 above, while still generating an overall return which provides a sustainable source of revenue to (x) maintain, preserve, and protect the OHA land holdings in all categories, and (y) generate sufficient revenue to provide the necessary supplemental funding for OHA sponsored programs.
Does that sound sacred to you?
The board packet also contains a 2007 document (p70-79), “OHA Real Estate Vision, Mission, and Strategy” which proclaims:
3. OHA Shall Seek Decision Making Influence over All Land in Hawai'i
A. Every Property in Hawai'i is Sacred
1) OHA shall promote the idea that every property in Hawai'i is sacred and pursue initiatives that help achieve a broad acceptance of this truth.
2) OHA shall pursue initiatives that respect the sacred qualities and cultural legacy of every property.
3) OHA shall address issues for each land parcel and Property Interest that reflect its sacred circumstances.
4) OHA shall model respect for the land and honoring Hawaiian Sense of Place.
B. Sacred Lands Assessment
1) OHA shall assess the sacred status and relative priority of every property in Hawai'i. (See: OHA Procurement Violations: Crabbe, Lindsey and the $435K Beamer.)
2) OHA shall implement a GIS-based inventory of all property in Hawai'i that includes information about property circumstances, owners, and their motives.
3) OHA shall initiate relationships with stakeholders of significant properties.
Does ‘sacred’ still mean ‘profitable for DTL’?
Who will be the “development consultant”, “community planner” and “developer” for Kaka’ako Makai and/or Na Lama Kukui?
Can OHA get it right after getting it so wrong for so long?
Stay tuned….
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PDF: Agenda
PDF: Board Packet
SA: Office of Hawaiian Affairs plows ahead with waterfront development plans despite opposition