Resolutions

Resolution Regarding Haiku Stairs

Approved by the Board on a 9-0 vote with one abstention, on June 15, 2017:
SUPPORTING REOPENING THE HAIKU STAIRS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC UNDER A CONTROLLED AND MANAGED ACCESS PLAN
WHEREAS, removing the Ha'ikū Stairs will destroy a historic structure, eligible for listing in the National Registry of Historic Places because of their integral role in the defense of the Pacific during WWII; and
WHEREAS, the Ha'ikū Stairs represent one of the safest hiking trails in Hawaii, there having been no documented serious injuries or deaths resulting from accidents on the Stairs; and
WHEREAS, almost all reported rescues attributed to the Ha'ikū Stairs are linked to hikers coming up from the Moanalua side or trying to get to the Stairs by trespassing on adjoining land in adverse hiking conditions; and
WHEREAS, a business plan drawn up by the Friends of Ha'ikū Stairs (FHS) has demonstrated that funds raised from fees to access the Stairs would cover expenses such as security, maintenance, insurance, and staffing; and
WHEREAS, reopening the Stairs under managed access would provide unique educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, partnership with the Koolau Foundation can expand educational and cultural opportunities to resident keiki; and
WHEREAS, partnerships with the University of Hawaii and the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum and their botanists provide a unique opportunity for researchers to document and study native and invasive plant species and their effects; and
WHEREAS, continued trespassing and disrespect for the property privacy expectations of private residents of the Haiku neighborhood are not acceptable and must cease sooner rather than later; and
WHEREAS, removing the Ha'ikū Stairs would destroy the priceless opportunities for hikers to experience the multiple microclimates they pass through as they climb to the summit; and
WHEREAS, at least two plausible access points are available that would entirely avoid the neighborhood at the base of the Stairs; and
WHEREAS, profits from managed access could be used to restore the land surrounding the Omega Station and support development of a Cultural Park in Ha'ikū Valley; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board supports the option contained in the Environmental Impact Statement Preliminary Notice (EISPN) contracted by the Board of Water Supply to reopen the stairs under a controlled and managed access plan that respects the privacy rights of private residents of the Haiku neighborhood; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Friends of Haiku Stairs submit a formal business plan for inclusion into the EIS process and the Board of Water Supply review that plan in a manner that supports a preservation option and now,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, this resolution be forwarded to the Board of Water Supply, the Mayor of the city and county of Honolulu and all elected officials of the Koolaupoko moku.


Resolution Regarding Extending The Community Growth Boundary

Submitted by Mahealani Cypher, Board Member, April 4, 2017
OPPOSING EXTENDNG THE COMMUNITY GROWTH BOUNDARY IN BILL 57, C.D.1, KO’OLAUPOKO  SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PLAN, AS IT AFFECTS KAHALU’U
WHEREAS, the Revised O’ahu General Plan, first adopted by the Honolulu City Council in 1977-1978, directed growth on O’ahu toward the Primary Urban Center of Honolulu and the Secondary Urban Center of ’Ewa; and

WHEREAS, through much community discussion and compromise, the City Council agreed that growth on Windward O’ahu would restrict urbanization and preserve agricultural and conservation/watershed lands in Ko“ o1aupoko; and 

WHEREAS, farm lands and watersheds are critical to ensure food sustainability and drinking water resources for our island’s future; and

WHEREAS, over the past 40 years, the people of Windward O“ahu have maintained their strong advocacy to hold the City & County of Honolulu to its commitment to preserve watersheds and agricultural lands in the districts of Ko’o1aupoko and Ko’o1au1oa; and

WHEREAS, the Honolulu City Council is currently engaged in its effort to replace the existing Ko“ olaupoko Sustainable Communities Plan through its consideration of Bill 57, which would constitute the new SCP for Ko’o1aupoko’s future; and

WHEREAS, inserted in the Ko’olaupoko SCP is an amendment that would allow spot zoning for one agricultural and conservation parcel in Kaha1u’u which, if approved on final reading, could lead to urbanization of valuable farmlands and watersheds throughout the rest of the Windward coast; and

WHEREAS, this upzoning of this parcel could create a domino effect that would allow other
owners of farm and watershed lands to seek similar reclassification of their properties; and

WHEREAS, this insertion of the “DeReis Amendment” approved on second reading by the City Council recently is an attempt to convert farm lands to urban use in what appears to be land speculation, which is contrary to the purpose of the City Council’s effort to update the SCP;

WHEREAS, the Kaha1u’u Neighborhood Board No. 29 has voted and expressed its strong opposition to this extension of the community growth boundary in Kahalu’u; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Kaneohe Neighborhood Board No. 30 that we do hereby oppose inclusion of this insertion of the sentence, “The CGB should include 7.591 acres of a property in ’Ahuimanu (TMK 4-7-046:006) located within the State Land Use Urban District to allow for rezoning from Agricultural Ditrict to Country district, for the development of approximately six residential lots.”, which is contained in Addendum A.l Community Growth Boundary attached to Bill 57; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chair and Members of the Honolulu City Council, to Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, and to the Chair of the City Planning Commission.

Resolution Regarding Hawaii State Hospital
Submitted by Bill Sager, Kaneohe Neighborhood Board Vice Chair, January 21, 2016 
Whereas, the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board finds there is a critical need for long-term care facilities both in the Kaneohe community and at the Hawaii State Hospital; and

Whereas, the Hawaii State Hospital Master Plan includes the construction of a long term care facility across the section of the Great Lawn controlled by the Hawaii State Hospital(HSH); and

Whereas, any building on State property more than 60 years old is subject to an historical review before it can be destroyed; and

Whereas, any changes to the Bishop Building requires the HSH to submit historical documentation to the Division of Historic Preservation(DHP) prior to making any changes in the architectural features of the building; and

Whereas, the Great Lawn is considered an important architectural feature of Windward Community College; and

Whereas, any changes to the Great Lawn also requires an historical review by the DHP, and 

Whereas, the HSH has not submitted the necessary historical documentation to the DHP as of 1/20/16; and

Whereas, construction of a two story long term care facility across the Great Lawn will block the view of the Pali and forever change the architectural character of the Great Lawn and of Windward Community College; and

Whereas, Windward Community College is offering a land exchange which would preserve the Great Lawn and the Bishop Building and will provide for logical expansion of the WCC campus; and

Whereas, the Department of Health has refused to even consider the possibility of a land exchange with WCC; now therefore:

Be it resolved that the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board requests the Department of Health to seriously consider the impact of the planned construction of a long term care facility on the Great Lawn and on the beauty of the Windward Community College, and

Be it further resolved that the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board recommends the DOH enter into negotiations with UH to initiate a land exchange which will place the long term care facility at the entrance to Windward Community College in the area presently called Sherwood Forest, and

Be it further resolved that this resolution be distributed to our local state legislators and to Governor Ige.


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