SAVE OUR KAKA'AKO  

Aloha Friends,     April 21, 2014

SB3122 has just been scheduled for conference hearing on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 2pm in conference room 312 (State Capitol).

Coincidentally, this happens to be on the same day that OHA is holding their rally at the Capitol.

Here's the link to the hearing notice.

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2014/hearingnotices/CONF_HWN_04-22-14_.HTM

It's the only bill on the agenda.

Tom will be at the hearing wearing his Save Our Kaka'ako shirt, so if anyone can come out at keep him company, that would be great.

I know most of you will be busy at work, but thank you in advance if you are able to show up. 

Also thanks to those of you who have been reposting our news and updates on your sites. 

Much Mahalo.

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From Friends of Kewalos April 22, 2014

Conferees will be reconvening tomorrow April 23, 2014 (Wednesday) at 2:10pm in Room 312

Conferees could not reach a decision on the bill

Find your Senator and Representative here: LINK

Call or email them to tell them you oppose residential development in Kaka'ako Makai.

Thank you Tom and all those who were able to attend today's hearing.  Tom will be there tomorrow too. 

Special thanks to all those who have sent communications to their legislators.

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SAVE OUR KAKA'AKO -- UPDATE April 23, 2014   

Aloha Friends,      April 23, 2014 

Once again, no decision made between the House and Senate conferees. 

If no decision is reached, then SB3122 could die and the existing laws to prevent residential development in Kaka'ako Makai stands.

House conferees stated that they have some concerns on the changes that the Senate conferees had proposed in yesterday's meeting.

The conferees will meet again tomorrow (Thursday), April 24, 2014 in Room 312 at 2:15pm.

Thanks to all of you who came down to keep Tom company and to all those who have contacted their legislator urging them to keep the existing law as is (i.e. No residential development in Kaka'ako Makai).

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Senator Ige added as conferee

Today's (April 24, 2014) conference meeting is at 2pm. Room 312

As you may have read in the news, the Senate's proposal contained a lot of changes which concerned the House conferees.

Here's the Notice of Meeting: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2014/hearingnotices/CONF_HWN_04-24-14_RECONVENE_.HTM

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Threat of residential development in Kaka'ako Makai still exists as conferees continue meeting on SB3122

From Friends of Kewalos April 24, 2014

After several meetings today, yet another meeting has been scheduled for Friday, 4/25/2014 at 930am in room 312.

Star Advertiser had this article following the 2pm meeting >>> Lawmakers Consider More Condo Towers

Two more meetings followed, one at 6pm and another at 7pm.  The offer on the table will allow residential development in the Kaka'ako Makai area between Ala Moana Blvd and Ilalo Street.  Of course we all know that this will open the door over the next years to redraw the line closer and closer to the shoreline.

Conferees will reconvene on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 930am in Room 312.

The deadline for completion of meetings is 6pm Friday, conferees can not meet on SB3122 after this deadline

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VIDEO: This is what goes on in conference meetings

House Chair Evans and Senate Chair Shimabukuro talk about SB3122 at the 6pm and 7pm meeting

Many of you don't have the opportunity to attend these meetings at the State Capitol so we are sharing these two videos with you so you can see what goes on at the meetings.

6pm Meeting Click Here for the video

7pm Meeting Click Here for the video

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Reconvening at 1130am today April 25, 2014

Two proposals being considered, both are allowing residential development on the Makai side

As of the 9:30am meeting today, Senate is proposing to allow residential development on 2 OHA parcels between Ala Moana Blvd and Ilalo Street.  House is proposing to allow residential development on all 8 parcels between Ala Moana Blvd and Ilalo Street.

Thank you Michele for the update!

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YouTube video on SB3122 1130am meeting

Long Day for Tom.  Reconvening at 330pm today, Friday, April 25, 2014

Thank you to those who continue to support keeping the existing laws of no residential development in Kaka'ako Makai.  Although it doesn't look good given that both proposals are allowing residential develop we are hanging in there.

Here's the video of today's 1130am meeting >>> Click Here

If you had to do something....This is it.....today is the last day.

The only thing left to do is to Email or call House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke before the 330pm meeting today and urge her not to agree to the SB3122 proposals.

Representative Luke, Sylvia (D)

Hawaii State Capitol, Room 306

Phone 808-586-6200

E-Mail: repluke@capitol.hawaii.gov

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DO WE REALLY WANT ANOTHER ‘WAIKIKI’ IN KAKA‘AKO-MAKAI?

From Friends of Kewalos, April 20, 2014

In the mid-1960’s, Hawaii’s economy was largely dependent on the tourist industry, sugar and pineapple, and the military.  Like then, today our economy could use some improvement.  But we should ask, “At what cost?”

In 1964, the state decided to develop what we now fondly recognize as Magic Island.  To create more jobs and to support the local tourist industry, the state covered acres of coral reefs and destroyed two popular surfing sites, “Dennings” and “Garbage-Hole.”

Unfortunately, during that time there were few environmental laws; the state back-filled the area with dredge material.  The public began asking questions: “What was the state doing?” The public really got upset when they learned that the state’s Phase II and III plans involved developing the area into a resort complex by extending Magic Island a mile further along the coast towards Kewalos, destroying a mile of surfing sites and building aboating marina similar to the Ala Wai Boat Harbor. John and Marion Kelly were outraged at the lack of public input and formed Save Our Surf.  Along with the Outdoor Circle, they educated the public and protested the proposed resort development of Magic Island and the destruction of our reefs and surfing sites; the public’s “ocean parks.”  The public rallied and the legislators wisely decided to keep Magic Island as open park space for all the people of Hawaii.

Over the years, tens of thousands of kamaaina and tourist alike, whether they are having a family picnic, jogging, biking or simply enjoying a relaxing evening walk, have enjoyed the open space, the beautiful sunset, and the cool mountain and ocean breezes that refresh the mind and the soul.  Many of us take this for granted.

Then in 2006, there was an effort by Alexander & Baldwin to develop high-rise condominiums on several parcels in Kaka‘ako-Makai.  The public again mobilized by forming the Kaka‘ako Coalition to oppose this development.  The coalition fought hard to ensure that this last public oceanfront land in downtown Honolulu would be available for all the people of Hawaii and visitors to enjoy now and for future generations. The public did not want to see another ‘Waikiki’ in Kaka‘ako - a concrete jungle where beach access for the local public would, over time, become limited or “restricted” and parking regulated only by how much one could afford. The legislators in 2006 did the right thing by passing legislation that prohibited residential development in Kaka‘ako Makai. 

In 2012, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was fully aware of the law prohibiting residential development in Kaka‘ako Makai, yet agreed to acquire these lands to settle the ceded land issue.  OHA sought an exemption from the law but the legislators again listened to the people and said no to residential development in Kaka‘ako Makai.

Now, Kaka‘ako Makai again faces a similar threat, with OHA making a bold attempt to convince the Legislature and the public that high-rise residential development is critical to fulfilling OHA’s mission. Yet OHA has other sources of revenue and can engage in revenue-generating commercial activities on their land in Kaka‘ako Makai. The Hawaii Community Development Authority’s 2011 Kaka‘ako-Makai Conceptual Master Plan outlines the opportunity OHA has in taking the lead in the future development of Kaka‘ako Makai.  Residential high-rise development is not part of this master plan which took five years to develop at a cost to the state of more than $600,000.  Involved in developing this plan were 45 community stakeholder groups, landowners, park and ocean user groups,and state and county agencies.  OHA also participated in the development of the plan.

For the sake of our children and future generations, my hope is that our present legislators will prohibit high-rise residential development in Kaka‘ako Makai and prevent it from turning into another Waikiki.

Mahalo,

Thomas Iwai Jr.