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A bill that impacts development in Honolulu’s urban core is touching off debate about the future of Hawaii and whether development will sprawl into rural areas.
The House passed a bill Monday that seeks to reign in development in the industrial neighborhood Kakaako. It sets a height restriction for development and proposes changes to the way projects are approved.
Opponents say the bill would make it harder to provide affordable housing for Hawaii residents. But the House passed the Senate-approved bill and sent it to the governor.
The bill is one of several measures covering land development in Kakaako that have Senate and House members at odds with each other.
Another proposal pits Native Hawaiians who want to develop high-rise condominiums against Kakaako residents who fear increased congestion and traffic.
