Kailua Real Estate – Target to Arrive October 2014

Target Corporation has announced that their long anticipated Kailua store will be scheduled to open in October 2014. The Kailua Target was scheduled to open in July 2012, but construction was halted after an archaeological study discovered two unidentified native Hawaiian skeletal remains. Target is working with the State Historic Preservation Division and the Oahu Island Burial Council to approve a burial plan. Donna Egan, the spokewoman for Target, stated, “We’re working closely with both of those organizations (Historic Preservation Division and Burial Council) and ultimately are deferring to them out of respect for the cultural descendants. We’re waiting to hear what the next steps are. Until then we are in a holding pattern, but certainly we’re anticipating moving forward sooner rather than later.”

Once complete, Target is expected to employ about 300 workers and generate another 250 construction jobs.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 5-11-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Hawaii Real Estate – Board of Water Supply Considering Leasing Downtown Headquarters

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply is considering the option of moving their downtown headquarters building on South Beretania Street and leasing the land to an interested developer.  Under this concept, the BWS would offer a developer a 65 year long lease for their 5.75 acre site and then the developer would then pay the BWS rent annually for the property.  In addition, the developer would also have to find the Board of Water Supply a replacement headquarters at no costs.  The Board of Water Supply would use the revenue to pay for agency expenses and perhaps reduce customer costs.  Duane Miyashiro, the chairman of the BWS stated, “We are evaluating the potential for our Beretania property to generate lease revenue to help pay for the operational and capital improvements needs of the water system.  However, any proposed development must prove to be economically beneficial to the BWS and the customers we serve before we pursue it.”

Under current zoning laws, the area allows for medium-density apartment use, with a maximum height limit of 100 ft.  However, a developer can request for a zoning change from the state.  There is additional concern that the State Historic Preservation Divison may not allow for major changes or the demolition of the building, which is eligible to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Finally, it is believed that the site may contain Hawaiian burials and cultural artifacts, so a new developer would have to proceed cautiously in observance will all of the new laws and restrictions.

The Board of Water Supply has stated that they will accept bids from various developers until June 12, 2013.  They will then review the bids and make a selection in the beginning of 2014.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-19-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

City Suspends Building Permits for Jeff Stone’s Development in Aina Haina

Jeff Stone, a local real estate developer in Hawaii, had previously received all of the necessary permits from the City and County of Honolulu to build two single-family homes in Aina Hiana. However, after several state officials noted that there may be a historical or cultural site on the development, the city has temporarily suspended these permits.

Chairman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, William Aila, had requested the city order that work be stopped at the project site until developer Jeff Stone completes an archaeological survey as requested by the State Historic Preservation Division. Aila wrote in an open letter, “The permit was not sent to SHPD prior to the issuance thus putting the division in the difficult position of having no opportunity to request an AIS (archaeological inventory survey) be conducted before the project started. Had SHPD been afforded an opportunity to review the permit, the city could have required that an AIS be done as a permit condition, avoiding the difficult situation we are now in.”

According to George Atta, the director designate of the city Department of Planning and Permitting, the property in Aina Haina was not flagged by State Historic Preservation Division and that no records were found in the Planning Department’s files of historic sites of cultural significance on the property.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-13-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Jeff Stone Project Maybe Halted Until Archaeological Survey Completed

Local developer Jeff Stone had planned to build two single-family homes at 1055 and 1057 Hao Street in the Aina Haina neighborhood. The Honolulu City Planning and Permitting Department has stated that the developer has met all requirements for obtaining building and grading permits. However, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Aina Haina Community Association are now requesting that all development be halted until an archaeological survey is completed of the area. The OHA and the AHCA believe that there may be some sacred cultural sites on the property that should not be disturbed.

Fabrizio Medosi from Pacific Atelier International LLC, the architectural firm hired by Stone, noted that only the State Historic Preservation Division can recommend that the developer conduct a survey. Medosi added that they will not halt construction and that, “The work we’re doing right now is all permitted.” Director designate of the Department of Planning and Permitting, George Atta, added, “The site hasn’t been officially inventoried in the past. It wasn’t mapped. While (the State Historic Preservation Department) does not have the authority to issue a stop work order since this is a city permit, it is the official agency regarding historic sites and its request would be a good enough basis for the city to issue a stop work order.”

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-4-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – Archaeological Survey Fieldwork Complete

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation have announced that the fieldwork for the archaeological survey of the rail route has been completed. In total, there were seven human remain findings along the 20 mile proposed route, out of which two of them were deemed to be full burials. HART’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Grabauskas, stated, “We now know what we’re dealing with and we will be able to make any necessary design changes well in advance of construction in the urban Honolulu area. Assuming that we leave all these in place as burials and treat them that way, there would be no impact on the rail route or cost.”

An official report will now be compiled by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and will be submitted to the State Historic Preservation Division. Once this report is approved, the $5.26 billion rail project will be allowed to proceed. Experts believe that this report preparation and approval process could take another few months. It is estimated that each month the project is delayed would cost the city between $7 and $10 million.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 2-8-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – Pelvic Bone Found Near Corner of Ala Moana Blvd and Punchbowl Street

The latest results from the archaeological survey of the route of the Honolulu Rail Project has uncovered a section of a human pelvic bone near the corner of Ala Moana Boulevard and Punchbowl Street. This is the seventh set of human remains that the survey has uncovered since the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled on August 2012 that an archaeological survey must completed along the entire route prior to construction resuming. Executive Director for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, Dan Grabauskas, stated that his agency will continue to work with the State Historic Preservation Division and the Oahu Island Burial Council to ensure that the remains are treated respectfully and in accordance with state law.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-27-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Leeward Real Estate – Ko Olina Resort & Marina Still Has No Public Boat Ramp

When the Ko Olina Resort & Mariana project was first conceived, one of the requirements put into place was that the resort was required to build a public boat ramp on its property. The Ko Olina Resort installed a public ramp in 2000, but it quickly became a controversial issue as the public complained about operating hours and fees, while resort residents complained about noise and heavy traffic. As a result, the resort closed and destroyed the public boat ramp in 2005 and stated that the public could use a ramp that a boat repair company used to transport boats to and from the water at the adjacent industrial Kalaeloa Harbor. However, fisherman and public boaters complained that the ramp was unsafe for them to use due to the fact that its design was made for larger vessels and had poor protection from larger ocean swells for small boats. In 2008, the Hawaii Land Use Commission ruled that Ko Olina was required by law to re-establish a public boat ramp in its marina, but did not specify a deadline for its construction to be completed.

Now, almost eight years from when Ko Olina Resort & Marina removed the public boat ramp and five years after the Land Use Commission required Ko Olina to rebuild a public boat ramp, no work has been done. Ko Olina Development LLC’s attorney, Wyeth Matsubara, stated, “We have no control over the permitting authorities and how long it takes to process permits. It is the process and it is what is required.” Matsubara added that once all of the permits and requirements were completed it would take about 12 months to build the boat ramp and cost a total of $2 million. Matsubara noted that the resort needs to get water quality certification permits, a conditional use permit, a conservation use district permit, a coastal zone management permit, a shoreline management area permit, a Corps of Engineers permit and finally a building permit to build the boat ramp. The resort may also have to conduct a cultural survey as required by the State Historic Preservation Division and a study to assess the impacts on fish as required by the National Marine Fisheries Services.

Meanwhile, local fishermen and boaters remain furious as the Ko Olina Resort & Marina and feel that the resort is intentionally delaying the project and permitting process. Many noted that the Disney Aulani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina, which costed over $850 million, was completed in just two years while a $2 million boat ramp has taken over five years and counting.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-25-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – More Human Remains Found in Downtown Honolulu

Additional human remains were found by archaeologists conducting a survey for the Rail Project in downtown Honolulu. According to the State Historic Preservation Division, the bones were located near the federal building on Pohukaina Street. It appears that the bones may be that of a child from pre-Western contact times. Project officials stated that they will consult with identified descendants of those who had lived in that area where the remains have been found and will decide on the proper burial treatment.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-14-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – Another Skull Fragment Found in Rail’s Path

Another human skull fragment was found during the archaeological survey for the Honolulu Rail Project, making it the sixth set of remains found at five different sites.  The body was that of a young adult and was found beneath a parking lot near Ward Avenue.  The State Historic Preservation Division is now responsible for deciding how the remains will be handled.  Several Native Hawaiian groups have asked the city to leave the remains in place and to change the design of the rail line to avoid them.  According to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, a total of 350 trenches have been dug as part of the archaeological survey required by the state before construction for the Honolulu Rail Project can resume.  HART estimates that they have another 35 trenches to dig and hopes to have the archaeological survey completed by the end of the year.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 11-15-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – Native Hawaiian Allowed To Have Say About Burials

To date, archaeologists working for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) have found the remains of five ancient Hawaiian bodies in four separate locations along the proposed line for the Honolulu Rail Project.  Hawaii state law prohibits the moving, destroying or altering of any burial sites except as permitted by the state and local burial councils.  Native Hawaiians believe that the bones are infused with the life force of their ancestors and that their journey in the afterlife is not completed until their bones have dissolved completely.  As a result, HART has asked Native Hawaiian families whose ancestors may have been buried along the proposed rail lines to file claims and register with the  State Historic Preservation Division.  This would allow the Native Hawaiian families to have a say as to what happens with any remains found.

Chief Executive Officer of HART, Dan Grabauskas, was optimistic about how soon the archaeological process would be completed and when rail construction could resume.  Grabauskas stated, “We had a plan and a schedule that had us completing all the trenching work around the end of February. But it now looks like with the acceleration, we’re going to be able to wrap this up, the trenching activity, by the end of the year.”  It is estimated that each month of delay would cost taxpayers between $7 to $10 million.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 11-11-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – Survey Finds More Human Remains in Chinatown

According to a press release made by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, additional human remains were found through the archaeological survey, but this time they were in Chinatown.  This is the fifth different set of remains found at the fourth location in the Downtown/Kakaako neighborhood.  Executive director for HART, Daniel Grabauskas, commented, ”We continue to work closely with the State Historic Preservation Division, the Oahu Island Burial Council and other stakeholders to ensure that iwi kupuna are treated with sensitivity and great respect.  In addition, we have added cultural monitors who include descendants with ties to the area where the work is being done.”

All construction for the Honolulu Rail Project has been stopped until an archaeological survey of the entire rail project has been completed.  It is estimated that each month of delay will cost the city $7 to $10 million in delay claims and other expenses.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 11-8-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Role of State Historic Preservation Division

The State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for protecting Hawaii’s cultural and historic sites, and are the ones ultimately responsible whenever a Hawaiian burial is discovered at a construction site.  The Division’s name has been in the spotlight over the past few months due to the Honolulu Rail Project, the work being done at Kawaiaha’o Church and the newly discovered remains found at the Waihonua development in Kakaako.  

In the case of the Honolulu Rail Project, the Hawaii Supreme Court found that the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) was in violation for allowing the city to start construction without having an archaeological survey completed of the entire rail line.  At Kawaiaha’o Church, the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals stated that it is likely that the SHPD violated their own procedure for approving the construction of a multipurpose building without requiring a survey from the church.  The SHPD has stated that a lack of funding is partially to blame for these challenges.

In the last two years the SHPD has hired four archaeologists  two burial site specialists and an architectural historian.  The Division has stated that over the next eight months they would like to hire another two archaeologists  another burial sites specialist, an archivist, an information technology specialist and a history and culture branch chief.  If these hires are made, the State Historic Preservation Division would have a total staff of 30 people.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-22-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Waihonua Construction Crew Finds 19 Additional Hawaiian Burials

Another 19 sets of ancient Hawaiian human remains were found during the excavation for the foundation of the new Waihonua at Kewalo condominium in Kakaako. Developer Alexander & Baldwin had previously discovered 27 burials on the property when they had conducted an archaeological survey in 2010 and lead A&B to redesign the building size and footprint. Six more iwi or burials were discovered in 2011 during an exploration of a layer of ground to recover Hawaiian cultural artifacts. Those iwi were allowed to be moved to another location on the property.

It is still unclear if these 19 newly discovered remains would force addition delays or create new changes. One additional challenge is that the new burials are believe to be be alii or royalty due to whale-tooth necklaces that were found with them. The State Department of Land and Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation Division will be determining the treatment of the burials. The Oahu Island Burial Council and cultural descendants of the area will also be allowed input in the decision making process.

The Waihonua condominium project currently has binding contracts for 239 of their 341 units. The project is expected to be completed in April 2015.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-12-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Howard Hughes Corp Unviels New Ward Village Plans

The Howard Hughes Corporation has released their new development plan for what they are calling the Ward Village. The plan calls for building a total of 22 residential towers on 60 acres of land and add double the number of existing retail shops and restaurant in the area. The entire project will cost approximately $7.5 billion to complete and will take a total of 15 years. The first phase, which would include three residential towers, will break ground in 2014 and be completed in 2016, pending approval from the Hawaii Community Development Authority.

The exact plans for where the building will be located will not come out until an archaeological survey has been completed and presented to the state Department of Land and Natural Resource’s State Historic Preservation Division. Hawaiian groups praise this decision by the Hughes Corporation, as there is still a concern that the survey would find iwi’s or Hawaiian burials on the land.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-11-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – Rail Authority Urged To Leave Burials in Place

Several native Hawaiian groups met with members of the Honolulu Authority of Rapid Transportation and urged the city officials to leave any burials and other human remains found during the archaeological survey in place. Kumuela Kala’i, one of Hawaiian spokeswoman, pleaded that the burials should not be disturbed and definitely not moved. Kala’i stated, “I’m going to be very clear about this. Iwis in the ground, leave them alone, period.”

Executive Director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, Daniel Grabauskas, responded by stating, “As long as I am the executive director of HART, we will respect the iwi kupuna, and you can help me to do that.” Grabauskas added that he would work under new cultural protocols set forth by the State Historic Preservation Division. So far the new archaeological survey has discovered the remains of four people at three different sites.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-11-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – Additional Information on Newly Discovered Human Remains

According to the State Historic Preservation Division, human remains were found at two additional sites in Kakaako, along the route where the Honolulu Rail Project is set to go through. One of the sites appears to be a pre-contact burial site, which under state law must be protected and may result in the city having to redesign part of the transit system to accomodate this find. The possible burial site is located at a location where the city had planned on building a transit system utility box.

Executive Director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, Daniel Grabauskas, stated, “This work is being done years in advance of any construction in the area so that we can make any necessary design changes now. We have a protocol in place that involves working closely with the State Historic Preservation Division, the Oahu Island Burial Council and other stakeholders to ensure that iwi kupuna are treated with sensitivity and great respect. Our iwi kupuna protocol is the product of months of collaboration with our stakeholders and we will continue to work together throughout this process.”

The Hawaii Supreme Court had ruled on August 24, 2012 that the city should have completed an archaeological survey prior to starting construction on the Honolulu Rail Project. As a result, all construction for the $5.26 billion project was put on hold until a survey has been completed. It is estimated that this step could take between 8 to 10 months and would cost the city $7 to $10 million per month in costs for the delay.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-10-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Court Orders Work at Kawaiaha’o Church to Stop

Kawaiaha’o is the oldest church in the state of Hawaii and the final resting place of many of Hawaii’s royalty. Several years ago, church officials decided to do a series of major renovations on their property, which required moving over 600 burials to a new location. This upset many Native Hawaiians who did not want the remains disturbed. However, the church, working in conjunction with the State Historic Preservation Division, went ahead with the project.

In a recent development, the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals has granted an injunction which prevents Kawaiaha’o Church from doing any additional work at this time. The panel of three judges stated that their is substantial likelihood that the State Historic Preservation Division violated its own policy by providing approval for the project without a proper archaeological survey. This is a similar statement to the ruling that the Hawaii Supreme Court made against the SHPD in the Honolulu Rail Project case.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-29-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – Hawaii Supreme Court Upholds Decision

On August 24, 2012, the Honolulu Supreme Court ruled that the State Historic Preservation Division violated their own rules when they allowed rail construction to begin without the city of Honolulu completing an archaeological survey of the entire route. This halted all construction of the project and city officials are now working 7 days a week to complete the archaeological survey work. However, it is expected that this will delay the project by eight to ten months with an estimated cost of $7 to $10 million per month. City attorneys appealed to Hawaii Supreme Court to reconsider their ruling, but the request has been denied and the decision upheld.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-28-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – Human Remains Already Found in Archaelogical Survey

The State Historic Preservation Division has announced that they have already discovered human remains in Kakaako during an archaeological survey for the Honolulu Rail Project. The bone fragments discovered are believed to be Hawaiian remains dating to pre-contact times and was discovered along with shell fragments and fire-cracked rocks. Archaeologists found the bones at a depth of 4 feet and are excavating around them to see if additional historical important items could be found.

Executive Director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, Daniel Grabauskas, stated, “We are working closely with the State Historic Preservation Division, the Oahu Island Burial Council and other stakeholders to ensure that iwi kupuna are treated respectfully, with great sensitivity and in accordance with state burial laws.”

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-14-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Honolulu Rail Project – City Attorneys Asking Hawaii Supreme Court to Reconsider

On August 24, 2012, the Hawaii Supreme Court made an unanimous decision that the State Historic Preservation Division had violated its own rules when they allowed the rail construction to begin with first completing an archaelogical survey of the entire 20-mile route. As a result the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation was forced to shut down construction on the rail project until an accurate survey could be completed to determine whether or not there were any Native Hawaiian burials or other archaelogical resources in its path.

Honolulu city attorneys are requesting that the Hawaii Supreme Court reconsider their decision and are arguing that the State Historic Preservation Division did not make a “plainly erroneous” decision when they allowed construction to begin. The city has been doing the survey in sections prior to the construction work. However, the area which experts believe would be most likely to include burials are the end of the rail track near Ala Moana Center.

The delays are expected to cost the city at least $10 million per month that construction is halted.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-7-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com