HIGHLIGHTS OF JULY 5, 2007 HCDA MEETING

Following is a summary of actions taken at the July 5, 2007 meeting of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA).

Election of HCDA Officers

The Authority re-elected the current HCDA officers to serve during the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year.  They are:  Michael Goshi, Chair; Paul Kimura, Vice-Chair; and Jonathan Lai, Secretary.

Selection Process for a New Executive Director

Authority members approved spending up to $25,000 to retain an executive search consultant firm to assist the HCDA in the selection process for a new Executive Director. The current HCDA Executive Director Daniel Dinell has tendered his resignation to be effective August 3, 2007.  The consultant will assist the Authority in (1) establishing qualifications, developing candidate criteria and interview questions; (2) proactively recruiting candidates; (3) confidentially receiving resumes, screening applicants, conducting reference and background checks; and (4) handling all administrative aspects of the search such as processing applications, interacting with applicants, scheduling interviews and thanking candidates.  The Authority also formed a Search Committee to review candidates more expeditiously, and to make recommendations to the board.  The committee members are Michael Goshi, Theodore Liu, Jonathan Lai, Paul Kimura, Kay Mukaigawa, Maeda Timson, Georgina Kawamura, and Micah Kane. 

(For more information on the search to be posted here soon.)

Small Business Task Force Findings and Recommendations

HCDA members adopted the findings and recommendations of the Small Business Task Force and authorized the HCDA Executive Director to implement the recommendations. This Task Force was created by HCDA Chairperson Michael Goshi in November 2006 to study small lot development in Kaka‘ako and to propose recommendations that would enhance opportunities for redevelopment.  Over the a seven-month period, the Task Force--consisting of HCDA members C. Scott Bradley, Amanda Chang, and Grady Chun--studied issues affecting small lot development, engaged in research on various relevant topics, and convened a focus group consisting of landowners and business owners and tenants to discuss concerns.  The Task Force also tested various development hypotheses.  The major obstacles identified by the focus group include high Improvement District assessments, rising property taxes, the lack of density for small lots to make development feasible, and the lack of public parking in Kaka‘ako in Kaka‘ako’s Central Business Precinct.  The Task Force recommendations included broad policy recommendations on improvement district assessment, density and parking.  The Task Force also recommended that HCDA establish an in-house resource center to assist small lot owners who are looking to develop their property.

The full report of the Small Business Task Force’s Findings and Recommendations can be accessed and downloaded by clicking here.

Draft Mauka Area Plan

Authority members authorized the HCDA Executive Director to assess the Draft Kaka‘ako Mauka Area Plan and Rules pursuant to Chapter 343 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.  HCDA, with the assistance of consultant PlanPacific, has completed a draft of a revised Mauka Area Plan with the participation and input from Kaka‘ako stakeholders, government agencies and the general public.  The State Environmental Quality Commission has directed that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is necessary for the Draft Mauka Area Plan and Rules because the proposed amendments represent a significant departure from assumptions assessed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Kaka‘ako District prepared in 1982.

The Draft Mauka Area Plan envisions the development of pedestrian-friendly urban village neighborhoods in Kaka‘ako, with a variety of transportation options to facilitate connections throughout the District.  The working draft of the proposed Mauka Area Plan was presented to the public at a May 25, 2007 workshop and in an evening time community open house held on June 19, 2007.  The SEIS, which will take approximately 12 months to complete, will assess these plan elements and alternatives and will include various opportunities for comment.  It is anticipated that revisions and adjustments to this draft will be made through the SEIS process. 

(Click here to access a summary of the Draft Mauka Area Plan elements, the full text of the Plan, and for public comments received at the June 19 open house.)

Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Headquarters and Hawaiian Cultural Center

HCDA members approved the extension of an agreement for the HCDA to exclusively negotiate with the Office of Hawaii Affairs (OHA) for the use of Lot 1 in the Kaka‘ako Makai Area for the development of OHA’s new headquarters and a Hawaiian Cultural Center.  OHA is planning for a complex with a 30,000 square foot headquarters building and a 30,000 square foot cultural center to accommodate exhibits and cultural activities on a 5.2-acre parcel adjacent to the John A. Burns School of Medicine, the Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park, and the proposed Cancer Research Center site.  On July 5, 2006, the Authority entered into a six month exclusive negotiation period with OHA for leasing of the site. In January 2007, the negotiation period was extended until July 5, 2007.  OHA requested a second extension to complete the Development and Lease Agreements with HCDA.   With the approval, OHA was requested to work closely with the Kaka‘ako Makai Advisory Working Group to coordinate plans.