Only One Bill About Kakaako Remains Before Legislature

At the start of the legislative session in January, there were a total of 17 bills that want to stop, slow down, or limit the amount of high-rise development in Kakaako.  Many of the bills were aimed at the Hawaii Community Development Authority, which is the state agency which governs development of the Kakaako neighborhood.  However, mid-way through the legislative session, there is now only one bill still up for debate.

The lone bill that has made it this far would still have major implications for the HCDA and would limit its budget, alter the makeup of its board, put development applications online for more convenient public viewing and maintain Kakaako's 400-foot building height limit. Specifically house bill 1866 would redefine who serves on the agency's board, require that the HCDA put development applications online and notify all residents within 300 feet of the proposed project, and make Kakaako's 400-foot height limit a law, thereby preventing the HCDA from ever increasing the limit to 650 feet as has been suggested for a couple of sites near the Honolulu Rail Project rail line.  The HCDA's operating budget would also zero out in the 2015 fiscal year and would require legislative approval for the agency to spend money in its revolving fund.

Kakaako resident, Michael Korman, submitted written testimony which stated, "There is a growing wall of concrete in Kakaako, and new buildings should have stricter limits on height and density. Currently planned housing projects will negatively influence the quality of the air, the open space and the quiet atmosphere that led current residents to select this neighborhood as home. Kakaako citizens feel helpless with personal well-being and quality of life in jeopardy."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-16-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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