The Issue

PROTECTING OPEN SPACES FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS by preserving the law that prohibits residential development in Kaka‘ako Makai

Sign the petition to stop residential development in Kaka‘ako Makai

WHAT THE PROBLEM IS: 

In 2006 the State of Hawaii passed a law prohibiting the building of residential buildings on the Makai side of Ala Moana blvd in Kaka‘ako to preserve and protect the coastline in urban Honolulu. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is seeking to change the law by asking for exemptions to lift the current restriction against residential development parcels under OHAs control and increase the height limits on certain parcels from 200’ to 400’. 

-The Kaka‘ako Makai area has a lot of complex environmental concerns due to its history as a garbage incinerator and dump site. The fact that the EPA has labeled it a “Brownfield” already indicates potential contamination. 

-Without a proper Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), it’s hard to assess the long-term risks that development might pose to both the local environment and community health. 

-We want to maintain a balance between present development and preserving open natural space. Residential development focusing on high-density and luxury housing will limit access to public spaces, as well as worsen traffic, limit parking, and create infrastructure problems. The remaining open spaces we have are a shared resource for the community. 

-Granting these exceptions opens the door for other land owners to pursue similar projects, leading to overdevelopment seen in areas like Waikiki. The shift from low-rise, open spaces to high-rise canyons will drastically alter the character and physical landscape of the area. 

-There is a disconnect between what’s being labeled as “affordable” and what the community actually needs in terms of housing. The HUD standard of 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI) is designed to ensure that the housing remains affordable to moderate-income households, but it doesn’t always reflect what people can actually afford based on local wages or cost of living.

WHAT WE ARE FIGHTING FOR:

-To preserve the already limited open spaces in urban Honolulu.  

-Keep the current law in place that bans residential development Makai of Ala Moana blvd in the Kaka‘ako area and keep the height restriction of 200ft without exceptions.

-When an area is sold and developed into private property, it often leads to restricted public access to the ocean and surrounding areas. With overcrowding, limited parking, and over development, it puts excess pressure on the remaining open spaces and access. 

-Preserve these lands for future generations. Once this land is sold to private entities this land is gone forever.  

WHAT OHA WANTS:

They introduced 3 bills SB534, HB605, and SB211 this legislative session. 

-Grant an exception to the current residential ban to allow residential development in Kaka‘ako Makai on specific parcels.

-Grant a waiver to double the build height to 400 ft from the current limit of 200 ft on specific lots along Ala Moana blvd.

-Ability to convey(sell) the land to a third party for residential development