Misinformed commentators have suggested recently that the Hawaii Community Development Authority is flouting state and county land use controls in "a backdoor approach" to developing land.

The opposite is the case, as the HCDA operates in a completely transparent manner that encourages public participation at all stages of planning and development.

The authority also strives to be completely compliant with land use and environmental regulations at all levels of government.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority was created by the Legislature in 1976 to establish and administer comprehensive community development rules on building, planning, zoning and land use for community development districts. To date, the Legislature has established two urban community development districts — Kakaako and Kalaeloa, the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station. The HCDA has been working on community development plans for each of these two districts through a process of intensive public participation. More than 80 community groups have participated in formulating these plans.

In implementing HCDA’s community development plans, the authority does not exempt itself from federal, state or county regulations. Besides complying with the authority’s zoning rules, projects within the development districts must adhere to county building-permit and subdivision requirements, as well as shoreline management, state historic preservation and federal and state environmental controls.

Moreover, the HCDA fosters active public participation and interaction with landowners and developers through public hearings and the community master-planning process. By conducting open houses and establishing a web consultation portal, HCDA has made it possible for residents and business people to express their ideas and aspirations toward achieving a real community.

Another misconception concerns HCDA’s mandate to work with public agencies and private developers to create "affordable" housing. While other public agencies like the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. (HHFDC) may focus on the lowest-income groups, HCDA’s principal mandate in this area is to create workforce housing affordable to families earning between 100 percent and 140 percent of annual median income for Honolulu.

Typically, market-priced developments in the Kaka-ako District are required to set aside 20 percent of the approved floor area for workforce rental or sale units. Many developers also have found creative ways to go beyond the minimum requirement to provide attractive housing opportunities for seniors and working families. Since 1982, HHFDC and HCDA have developed 1,282 units for workforce, senior and affordable rental housing projects.

HCDA’s current initiatives include a transit-oriented development overlay that will establish a pattern of development that encourages motorists to forgo their cars for other modes of transportation around transit hubs in Kakaako. In addition, HCDA is proposing a "Complete Streets" program for major thoroughfares in Kakaako and Kalaeloa to create a streetscape that is friendly to pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users.

The HCDA welcomes public participation in all of its planning initiatives.

At its Sept. 11 meeting, the authority will conduct a public hearing to establish new zoning rules for all development within the Kalaeloa Community Development District. The new rules will establish a natural zone, rural/open space zone, three urban zones, and a special zone for military use within the 3,700-acre Kalaeloa District. This hearing will begin at 9 a.m. at the Department of Hawaiian Homelands Hale Ponoi Conference Room, 91-5420 Kapolei Parkway.

HCDA staff conduct a monthly community briefing for stakeholders. The next briefing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the HCDA office, 461 Cooke St.