Don’t turn shoreline into Waikiki

In the mid-1960s, Hawaii’s economy was largely dependent on the tourist industry, sugar and pineapple, and the military. Like then, today our economy could always use some improvement. But we should ask, "At what cost?"

In 1964, the state decided to develop what we now fondly recognize as Magic Island. To create more jobs and to support the local tourist industry, the state covered acres of coral reefs and destroyed two popular surfing sites, "Dennings" and "Garbage-Hole."

Unfortunately, during that time there were few environmental laws; the state backfilled the area with dredge material. The public began asking questions: "What was the state doing?" The public really got upset when they learned that the state’s Phase II and III plans involved developing the area into a resort complex by extending Magic Island a mile farther along the coast toward Kewalos, destroying a mile of surfing sites and building a boating marina similar to the Ala Wai Boat Harbor.

John and Marion Kelly were outraged at the lack of public input and formed Save Our Surf. Along with The Outdoor Circle, they educated the public and protested the proposed resort development of Magic Island and the destruction of our reefs and surfing sites the public’s "ocean parks." The public rallied and the legislators wisely decided to keep Magic Island as open park space for all the people of Hawaii.

Over the years, tens of thousands of kamaaina and tourists alike, whether they are having a family picnic, jogging, biking or simply enjoying a relaxing walk, have enjoyed the open space, the beautiful sunsets and the cool mountain and ocean breezes that refresh the mind and the soul.

Many of us take this for granted.

Then in 2006, there was an effort by Alexander & Baldwin to develop high-rise condominiums on several parcels in Kakaako Makai. The public again mobilized by forming the Kakaako Coalition to oppose this development. The coalition fought hard to ensure that this last public oceanfront land in downtown Honolulu would be available for all the people of Hawaii and visitors to enjoy now and for future generations.

The public did not want to see another Waikiki in Kakaako a concrete jungle where beach access for the local public would, over time, become limited or "restricted" and parking regulated only by how much one could afford. Lawmakers in 2006 did the right thing by passing legislation that prohibited residential development in Kakaako Makai.

In 2012, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was fully aware of the law prohibiting residential development in Kakaako Makai, yet agreed to acquire these lands to settle the ceded land issue. OHA sought an exemption from the law but the legislators again listened to the people and said no to residential development in Kakaako Makai.

Now, Kakaako Makai again faces a similar threat, with OHA making a bold attempt to convince the Legislature and the public that high-rise residential development is critical to fulfilling OHA’s mission. Yet OHA has other sources of revenue and can engage in revenue-generating commercial activities on its land in Kakaako Makai. The Hawaii Community Development Authority’s 2011 Kakaako-Makai Conceptual Master Plan outlines the opportunity OHA has in taking the lead in the future development of Kakaako Makai.

Residential high-rise development is not part of this master plan, which took five years to develop at a cost to the state of more than $600,000. Involved in developing the plan were 45 community stakeholder groups, landowners, park and ocean user groups, and state and county agencies. OHA also participated in the development of the plan.

For the sake of our children and future generations, my hope is that our present legislators will prohibit high-rise residential development in Kakaako Makai and prevent it from turning into another Waikiki.