A Brief History of the Preservation of Public Land in Kaka'ako Makai
On September 7, 2005, a state agency called the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) voted unanimously to allow residential development in Kaka ako Makai (KM), the last public oceanfront land in urban Honolulu. Exactly one week after this zoning change, HCDA selected Alexander & Baldwin (A&B) as the master developer. Their plan revealed for the first time showing the extent of the $650 million dollar project highlighting three 200 feet tall residential luxury high rise towers along with a giant 45 foot high pedestrian bridge spanning the Kewalo channel with high end restaurants and retail malls. On top of that, the 36.5 acres of public land was to be sold to A&B for $50 million. A "sweetheart deal."
The People could not believe what just happened. Long story short, Save Our Kaka ako Coalition was formed consisting of 12 organizations including: Friends of Kewalos, Save our Surf, Hawaii State Bodysurfing Association, Da Hui, Surfrider Foundation, Sierra Club, Life of the Land and others.
This grassroots movement, fueled by the "Power of the People" included a March to the Capital, meeting with Governor Lingle, numerous rallies, and countless testimonies, was able to stop the project by rallying the support of all the legislators except one, to enact a landmark law banning the sale of public land and banning all residential development in KM. This law stands today as a testament to the public sentiment for this land.
The People did not stop there. After five years of hard work, a plan was created, this time with extensive public input, called the Kakaako Makai Conceptual Master Plan with a Vision Statement and 14 guiding principles. It was adopted by HCDA in 2011 and declared it to be the "go to" plan for future development of the land.
It was not over yet. In the 2012 legislative session, two bills were introduced, one to transfer this same public land to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) valued at $200 million, to settle claims of back rent for the use of the ceded lands dating back to 1978. The second bill would have allowed an EXCEPTION to the law and allow residential entitlements for two parcels in the OHA land settlement.
We believe the powers that be cleverly tied this bill to the settlement bill, which had a lot of momentum, in the hopes of squeezing it through together to benefit OHA. Governor Abercrombie encouraged OHA to take the land settlement and not worry about the residential ban. OHA got the land, but the exception bill died due to public opposition. They tried again in 2014 to get the exception bill passed, but again the People prevailed. Power of the People.
Now, they are trying for the third time to pass a bill that would allow residential development in Kaka’ako Makai.
I would like to share part of an article by former Governor George Ariyoshi that he wrote for Hawai'i Business News in 2006 about our mounting opposition to the KM sale of Public Land to build luxury high rise residential towers because it ties into what we are talking about today.
Digital rendering of the potential landscape of Kakaako Makai (10 - 400 foot high rises shown in above illustration) if residential development is allowed. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is seeking Legislative approval to ammend the current law to develop 30 acres of Kakaako oceanfront land for residential development. Under terms of the bill, the height limit would be raised to 400 feet. If approved, OHA would be allowed to convey to third parties for development. This would also open the door for other Kaka'ako Makai landowners to follow.
He says " HCDA asked, how can we put this land to use now? The People asked what do we want from this land in perpetuity? The People asked the better question with the realization that when the land is developed, other potentials are gone forever." He continues, "In 1970, high rise construction was proposed the Magic Island and Kewalo ends of Ala Moana Park. Although this plan followed the original design for dredging and improving the area, the People spoke out against it. Today, this land is open space for the enjoyment of all."
The $50 million that the State potentially would have made from the KM land sale to A&B back in 2006 would have long been forgotten. Today, the money would be gone.
I know Kamehameha Schools is waiting in the wings to build too and if one exception is made, it would be difficult to deny others.
We are not against all development. We understand the people need housing, but ask yourselves "Is this the right place?" We support "smart development" that puts emphasis on People first over profit.
In closing, The KM Master Plan along with the law has protected this land from becoming another Waikiki to ensure that this last public ocean front land in Honolulu will be preserved for the enjoyment of all the People of Hawaii.
It is too late for Waikiki, but not too late for Kakaako Makai.
I hope you enjoyed and learned from this story.
We need to think beyond the "Making of a Quick Buck." In 10 years, the money will be gone. The residential towers, if allowed to be built, will alter public access to the ocean. True riches of the land come when you can provide for the people year after year, generation after generation in perpetuity. That is how we all THRIVE.
Mahalo for this opportunity to share our mana’o and I encourage you to to support the cause to prevent residential development in Kakaako Makai.
Ron Iwami
Friends of Kewalos, President
Non profit 501C3