From Save our Kaka'ako

Aloha Friends,    April 2, 2014

Unfortunately, SB3122 was advanced yesterday by the House Finance Committee.  However, it is not a done deal yet. The bill will now go to a floor vote and then to Conference Committee where 3 members of the House and 3 members of the Senate discuss the bill.  If all goes well, it may be killed at this point.

To do our due diligence to give one last push to the Legislators, we are holding a

Capitol Rally on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 @ 11:00 am to 2:00pm.                           

See flyer for details:   FLYER PDF

Please forward this to all your friends and family.

We know it is in the middle of a work day but we need to do it. There is metered parking under the Capitol or on the street. Be creative, walk, ride your bike, catch the bus, or carpool if you can. Please try your best to join us with your red shirt and visors. We will be going into the House Chambers to watch the legislators vote on the bills.  Hopefully, we will be there when SB 3122 will be voted on. We also will be holding our signs and banners on Beretania Street. We will be inviting several legislators and the Governor to speak. You may also go to visit your legislators to urge them to vote no on SB3122.  We will have a legislator directory available.  Let us show the legislators how passionate we are to protect this land.!

Mahalo and Power to the People!

Save Our Kaka'ako

Text, Status: SB3122

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Petitioning Hawaii Governor: WITHDRAW Brian Tamamoto's Nomination to the HCDA Board

Petition by Kaka'ako United

The most recent "Kaka'ako small business" appointment to the HCDA board is Brian Tamamoto, executive vice president of Resort Holdings, which is owned by developer Bert Kobayashi.  Kobayashi Group is an investor in hui that plans to build one or more luxury developments in Kaka’ako.

We are outraged that yet another appointment with blatant ties to development is being considered, this time under the guise of representing Kaka'ako small businesses. 

Our "community" representative on the board is Lois Mistunaga, a structural engineer and chief financial officer at Mitsunaga & Associates, an architectural and construction management firm.  Again with ties to development!

When the legislature passed SB3166 in 2008 (Act 132), its intent was to help small businesses by adding two representatives to the HCDA board who would -- as small businesspersons themselves -- address the insufficient commercial and industrial facilities for rent in Kaka'ako.

The newest nominee, Brian Tamamoto, fails in this regard.  Not only does he notrepresent the Kaka‘ako small business community, his appointment only perpetuates the on-going effort to fast track development approvals despite the myriad of concerns raised by residents.

We are asking the Governor to withdraw his appointment.  If he fails to do so, we are asking the Hawaii State Senators to vote NO on Brian Tamamoto's appointment to the HCDA Board.

To: Hawaii Governor, Hawaii State Senate

We are outraged that you are nominating yet another developer to the HCDA Board--this time under the guise of representing Kaka'ako small businesses. We are still smarting from your earlier action nominating developer Lois Mitsunaga as a "community" representative.

When the legislature passed SB3166 in 2008 (Act 132), its intent was to help small businesses by adding two representatives to the HCDA authority who would --as small businesspersons themselves-- address the insufficient commercial and industrial facilities for rent in Kaka'ako.

Your newest nominee, Brian Tamamoto, works for developer Bert Kobayashi. Tamamoto does not represent Kaka’ako small businesses. His name therefore should be withdrawn.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

LINK: Sign Petition