Honolulu Rail Project – $114 Million in Delays

The Hawaii Supreme Court had ruled in August that all construction of the Honolulu Rail Project needed to be halted until an accurate archaeological survey was completed for the entire 20 mile stretch. In a new report released by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation  the costs associated with the court-ordered stoppage will be more than $114 million in claims, change orders and other expenses. It should be noted however, that there may be “additional cost impacts due to escalation for future contracts and extended agency and consultant staffing.”

The city is working around the clock to complete an archaeological survey, but it is still expected that the survey will not be finished until the March or April 2013. Executive Director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, Daniel Grabauskas, noted that the Honolulu Rail Project has a $644 million contingency fund to cover these unexpected costs.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-11-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
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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
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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®
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Sales Data from Oahu in September 2012

Source: Honolulu Board of Realtors

Single Family Home Sales on the Island of Oahu:
September 2012 – 304 Homes Sold – $637,000 Median Price
September 2011 – 284 Homes Sold – $570,000 Median Price

Condominium Sales on the Island of Oahu:
September 2012 – 350 Condos Sold – $319,000 Median Price
September 2011 – 364 Condos Sold – $316,000 Median Price

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-9-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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Honolulu Rail Project – More Human Remains Found in Kakaako

Archaeologists discovered additional human remains at two different locations in Kakaako over the weekend along the route which the Honolulu Rail Project will follow. More importantly, one of locations may qualify as a burial, which could mean that the city would have to redesign the rail project to avoid the area.  Until the archaeological survey is completed, all construction for the $5.26 billion project has been halted.  It is anticipated that the survey would take 8 to 10 additional months to complete.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-9-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
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Punchbowl Home Foreclosed for Failure to Connect to City’s Sewer System

The city and county of Honolulu has decided to foreclose on a home in Punchbowl for failure to connect to the city’s sewer system after nine years of notices and legal battles.  Sunny Lee, the 93-owner, and her daughter Monica have been fighting the city in court and argue that Sunny has a legal right to use an underground sewer line that goes through their neighbor’s property.  The city maintains that Sunny Lee is in violation of state and city laws and have incurred hundred of thousands of dollars in penalties.

Lee purchased the home in 1957 and had her sewer line connect through a line that ran through Melvin and Mildred Bender’s property, her next door neighbor.  The Benders did not know about the line until is started to leak in 2000.  The Benders then filed a lawsuit saying that Lee did not have an easement or legal right to use the line.  Lee lost the lawsuit and the sewer line was shut off.  Lee then filed an appeal with the Hawaii Supreme Court in 2006 which was rejected unanimously and affirmed that Lee did not have a legal right to the line.  The state Department of Health started sending notices to Lee in 2003 and filed a lawsuit in 2008 stating that Lee owed over $170,000 in penalties.  Health inspectors showed that high levels of bacteria were found in waste water flowing to a neighbor’s property.

A Circuit Court Judge ruled in favor of the state and noted that Lee must hire a licensed engineer and contractor to connect her home to the city sewer system.  Lee was required to pay $25,000 in past violations and $150 per day until it was connected starting from 2005.  Lee refused and the city filed for foreclosure in 2007.  In August 2012 a judge ruled that the city was allowed to foreclose of the property.

This is a relatively unusual case as the city rarely has to file for foreclosure due to a lack of sewer line connection.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-8-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
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Foodland Super Market to Open Store

Foodland Super Market Ltd. will be opening a new store at the Kapolei Village Center.  The store will be located at 4850 Kapolei Parkway and will be approximately 36,000 sq ft in size.  Chairwoman and CEO of Foodland, Janai Wall, stated, “After many months of preparation and planning, we are excited to finally be opening Foodland Kapolei.  As a locally-owned company, we truly care about the communities we serve, and know that we will be a great community partner in Kapolei. Many of our customers have told us they want and need a locally-owned supermarket in Kapolei, and we are excited to open this brand new store to serve them.”  The store will hold their grand opening on October 17, 2012 and will be open daily from 5 am to 11 pm.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-6-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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