Thousands of people flock to the ocean as part of their daily regimen, for recreation, exercise, peace, therapy, sustenance or simply to absorb its natural beauty.
It is a way of life here in the islands and it defines who we are.
Many are not fortunate enough to be able to live near the shoreline and enjoy the “live, work and play” concept; they need to drive their cars to reach the ocean. We come from the valleys and communities such as Kaimuki, Palolo, Manoa, Makiki, Pauoa, Nuuanu, Puunui, Liliha, Alewa, Kalihi and Moanaloa, to name a few.
Today, as we see the residential towers rise with more to come, we realize that the negative cumulative effect of the 30 towers and 30,000 more people at full build-out will definitely increase traffic congestion, which in turn will negatively impact the public’s access to the shoreline. One would think that Ward Avenue, a major mauka/makai thoroughfare, would be widened with more lanes. However, construction continues with very minimal street improvements.
Instead we hear talk of closing streets such as Auahi to convert it into a pedestrian promenade. We hear talk of adding more bike lanes, which will displace lanes for cars. While many of us are not against bike lanes, it would be nice to hear talk about adding additional lanes of traffic too. We constantly hear and read comments made by development and government-hired “traffic experts” at public hearings and the local newspaper saying that traffic will be OK. But will it?
One might argue that with the coming of rail, Complete Streets, bikeways and promenades, the need for cars will decrease.
On the contrary. The people who can afford to live in these condos can afford a car to drive their kids to private schools and extracurricular activities.
Rarely will you hear a politician, government official or developer say, “How can we contribute to preserve the lifestyle of the people? How can we make life better for locals?”
Unfortunately, often it is the almighty dollar that motivates them. Ideally, these are the questions the Hawaii Community Development Authority should be asking the developers. The developments should not only make it convenient for the residents of these towers with their “live, work and play” concept, but emphasize making it convenient and nice for the people who came before them, and consider their desires as well.
This “live, work and play” concept is great for developers to sell units, but the idea is turning Kakaako into a wall slowly blocking out locals who have been using the area for decades.
We are not against development. We support smart development that betters the lives of the local people.
The mission of Friends of Kewalos is to protect, preserve, and malama Kewalo Basin Park and the surrounding shoreline and ocean areas to ensure that the recreational user will continue to have access and the ability to enjoy the area for future generations to come.
We urge HCDA to seriously consider our concerns from this day forward and really think about the long-term impact of these towers. We do not want another Waikiki in our neighborhood that will drastically impact our lifestyle. It is too late for Waikiki, but it is not too late for Kakaako.
Ronald Iwami is president of Friends of Kewalos.
