HIGHLIGHTS OF NOVEMBER 7, 2007 MEETING OF THE

Following is a summary of actions taken and the public hearing conducted at the November 7, 2007 meeting of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA).

PUBLIC HEARING ON KAKA‘AKO IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 11

The Authority conducted a public hearing on the proposed repeal of rules relating to the cancelled Improvement District 11 Project in Kaka‘ako.  On February 7, 2007, the HCDA approved the cancellation of ID-11 because additional funds were not available to cover the increase in construction costs resulting from necessary design changes. The cancelled project would have entailed infrastructure improvements on a segment of Queen Street, from Ward Avenue to Kamakee Street.   The public hearing was held because the Authority is now proposing the repeal of rules to abolish the ID-11 assessment area and the property assessments. Two testifiers spoke at the public hearing.  Taryn Wong, representing a Kaka‘ako resident and business person, said, “We hope HCDA will continue the discovery process to make this project (ID-11) happen”.

NEW HCDA OFFICERS ELECTED

The Authority held an election to fill vacant HCDA officer positions.  New officers elected include:  HCDA Chairperson Jonathan Lai; HCDA Vice-Chair Paul Kimura; and HCDA Secretary Amanda Chang.

NEW HCDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SELECTION DEFERRED

Following an executive session, the Authority deferred action on the selection of a new HCDA Executive Director.  HCDA Project Manager Teney Takahashi has been serving as Interim HCDA Executive Director since Daniel Dinell resigned as HCDA Executive Director in August 2007 to return to the private sector.

LEGISLATION RELATING TO HCDA MEMBERS

Authority members agreed that HCDA will propose legislation at the 2008 State Legislative session to modify the membership description for HCDA from 13 to 15 by converting the Hawaiian Cultural Specialist and Director of the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) from Kalaeloa members to members of the whole.  The change is proposed because the Authority believes that Hawaiian cultural and planning, and permitting issues affect both Kaka‘ako and Kalaeloa.  The current statute limits participation and voting of the Hawaiian Cultural Specialist and DPP Kalaeloa memberships to Kalaeloa matters only.  It is felt that having a Hawaiian Cultural Specialist participate in all community development districts would be beneficial to the community as people are more culturally sensitive to the surround environment.  It would also be beneficial for the DPP Director to participate in all community development districts as staff routinely consults with the City DPP on various issues relating to improvement district and planned developments.  The proposed bill would also clarify that the members recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be a small business representative from the Kaka‘ako District.  The proposed conversion and clarification would not increase the total HCDA membership.  The total membership would remain at 18 and current incumbents would be transferred to the new positions upon effect of the law and the member’s terms would not be affected.

TRANSFER OF PIERS 1 AND 2 TO THE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

HCDA members authorized the Interim HCDA Executive Director (or successor) to transfer Piers 1 and 2 to the Board of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The 2006 State Legislature approved a bill, signed into law by Governor Linda Lingle in June 2006, to change the boundaries of the Kaka‘ako District to exclude piers 1 and 2 with the contiguous fast lands and to give the Department of Transportation, Harbors Division and the Foreign Trade Zone jurisdiction and administrative authority over the area.  The Act requires HCDA to deed over the subject land to DLNR.

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR KAKA‘AKO DISTRICT PARKS

Authority members authorized the Interim HCDA Executive Director to execute a one-year contract for supplemental maintenance services for the Kewalo Basin, Kaka‘ako Waterfront and Makai Gateway Parks with two one-year options with Landscape Hawaii, Inc. and to expend revolving funds not more than $339,608 per year.  The State Parks Division of the Department of land and Natural Resources (DLNR) currently provides maintenance service for the three Kaka‘ako District parks.  Since 2000, HCDA has also retained a private contractor to provide landscape maintenance services to supplement the maintenance provided by DLNR.  The supplemental landscape maintenance program has effectively and significantly upgraded the landscape at the Parks during the past 6 years and gradual improvement in the landscape condition of the Parks will continue with this program.  In response to a request for bids, Landscape Hawaii, Inc. submitted the lowest responsible bid.