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The state Department of Land and Natural Resources appreciates your recent coverage related to the incidental take of bats by wind energy facilities and pending requests to secure authorization for higher levels of incidental take of the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat.
We would like to clarify important aspects of the approval process. Currently no changes have been approved for the wind facility that was the subject of the article ("Maui wind farm owner wants higher limit on bat, nene kills," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 9).
Any such requests must ultimately be approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and at this time are pending: publication of a draft amended Habitat Conservation Plan in the Office of Environmental Quality Control bulletin; a public hearing; an approval or disapproval recommendation by the Endangered Species Recovery Committee; and consideration of approval by the board.
Each of these important steps in the review process includes opportunities for public comment.
We encourage interested people to participate, to provide comments, and to contact the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife for additional information.
Scott Fretz
Maui branch manager, DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife Chair, Endangered Species Recovery Committee
If project doesn’t pencil out, too bad
After growing up on Oahu, I practiced architecture on the mainland for 35 years.
My associates and clients built projects that respected local design guidelines and community standards. Variances and exemptions were extremely rare.
Now I read every week about a construction proposal that seeks to deviate from city and state development rules.
The proposed Kapiolani Residence tower, recently awarded 10 exemptions to city zoning regulations by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp., is just the latest attempt to evade sensible local limitations ("Exemptions from the rules," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 13).
The legitimate need for affordable housing should not sacrifice restrictions to height, area, setbacks and fees that also impact public interest. The two goals are not mutually exclusive.
If this project cannot generate the financial return expected by its developer, SamKoo Pacific, I suggest the City Council deny approval and wait for a better proposal.
Mark C. Engman
Ala Moana
Zoning violations should be undone
Of course "Waikiki proposal draws ire of residents" (Star-Advertiser, Sept. 12).
I’m not even a Waikiki resident and the unsurprisingly probable zoning variance yet another developer is likely to get is drawing my ire, too.
Lee Cataluna had it right when she said that people — most often developers, but other groups as well — continuously exploit the knowledge that Hawaii’s laws, plans and policies, even the ones made to protect or favor the populace, are easily bought off ("A wrong that is entrenched is unlikely to be made right," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 11).
This is Hawaii’s version of "too big to fail," except that it’s "If we get it underway fast enough and too far along, it won’t be undone no matter how egregiously against the rules it may be."
The many examples cited by Cataluna, including glass in the Symphony condominium project, should be undone, and yes, to set an example. And then the city and state must stand by and enforce the policies they set.
Karin Lynn
Moiliili
Hawaiian Electric not our local Job Corps
Stanley Chang thinks that if NextEra takes over Hawaiian Electric Industries, it will eliminate jobs ("Likely job losses another reason to nix NextEra deal," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Sept. 17).
If that is correct, it means HEI is now overstaffed and that is one of the reasons for Hawaii having the highest electric rates in the country.
Chang’s logic about jobs comes from his past government work, where efficiency means nothing.
His only concern is jobs, even if it costs the citizens millions of dollars. The electric company shouldn’t be the Job Corps. Even the left-wing Warren Buffett has said that if one company takes over another and is able to eliminate jobs, it should do it.
My real question is why doesn’t HEI cut staff now, if NextEra says it can do it? Obviously Chang must agree with NextEra or he wouldn’t be so worried.
Carl Bergantz
Kaneohe
Make DOE officials work in hot offices
Parents, teachers and students protesting in front of state Department of Education administration and the Department of Accounting and General Services buildings is probably a good learning experience in democracy.
Better we should push to shut down the air conditioning for bureaucrats until the children and teachers have the same cool opportunity to work. Make the schools administration and DAGS employees suffer and see what happens.
Elbridge W. Smith
Kailua
FROM THE FORUM
Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.
"A year after sit-lie ban hits the city, results vary" Star-Advertiser, Sept. 14:
>> Why can’t the City Council just pass a law to cover the whole county? It seems like the Council just leaves openings in the law so that the homeless can look for places where the law doesn’t cover.
>> Who’s gonna cite the City Council? Just about all they do is sit … and lie.
——
"City letting households build extra living units" Star-Advertiser, Sept. 15:
>> Reports show there are over 5,000 homes being operated as illegal vacation rentals or so-called B&Bs. Why is the city not proactively closing these businesses down? Simply, hotel rooms do not belong in residential zoning. If the mayor and the City Council are truly serious about solving the housing shortage crisis, they need to take action and improve the illegal vacation rental enforcement activities of the DPP.
>> Newsflash: People are willing to spend big money to stay here in furnished units. All your complaining isn’t going to change that.
——
"State begins cleanup of Nimitz homeless site" Star-Advertiser, Sept. 15:
>> The state should do these routine cleanups every month. All that trash accumulated in six months?
>> Sounds like a good deal for the homeless. Every six months they get a cleaning, then get to move right back to a clean encampment. They even get a week’s warning before temporarily relocating.
——
"City crews to return to Kakaako to clear homeless people’s items"
Star-Advertiser, Sept. 15:
>> They really should have the people who were living there clean up their opala. I swear these homeless people have no aloha for the aina.
>> All of those stolen bike parts. If Mayor Kirk Caldwell really wants biking to take off, the city needs to stop the homeless from stealing everyone’s bikes.
>> Finally making progress. It’s about time.
——
"Nimitz site eyed for homeless shelter" Star-Advertiser, Sept. 16:
>> Oh, Uncle’s and Nico’s will love this.
>> The state is foolish to pick the old Chevron site. It has been working for years to make the "fishing village" work, and now they want to put a homeless encampment in the mix? No, no, no.
——
"Rail shortfall tops $1 billion", Star-Advertiser, Sept. 16:
>> Our mayor has the right attitude to not agree to the additional cost. This will keep rail stakeholders conscientious in making sure that rail will ultimately be a successful project.
>> He has no choice.
>> This is just a drop in the bucket. They deliberately started with the easiest/cheapest portion of the route, knowing that the real trouble and expense would come as they continue down the route. And all that tremendous expense for something that will not fix Oahu’s traffic problems, and that will be an eyesore that turns off tourists (our biggest industry).
——
"Sweep stakes high as ACLU files lawsuit", Star-Advertiser, Sept. 17:
>> The ACLU is misguided on this one. Where does it say someone has a right to camp and store personal belongings on public property? If I left my bike on the sidewalk, I would expect to see it gone a few days later. Try this: Instead of paying the parking meter, park your car on the sidewalk and see what happens.
>> The photo with "stay out" says it all. What gives them the right to claim public space? I want ACLU to protect our rights to walk those sidewalks free of clutter and fear of harassment, crime or what have you.
>>The city and state like to solve problems by closing off public spaces instead of addressing the real issue. In this case we need tiny homes for the homeless, not sweeps.