The tragic collision that occurred in Kakaako, killing three people and injuring five others, was a predictable accident waiting to happen because of poor urban planning and overbuilding.

The city and state are ever-ready to allow one project after another to be built with reduced setbacks and higher elevations, but apparently there wasn’t a proper study done to analyze the impact of such major redevelopment on the neighborhood with its narrow streets and lack of parking.

In the meantime, developers breathlessly announce the debut of each new project, touting the presence of Whole Foods as if it’s a seal of approval and talking up all the trendy restaurants.

Last on the list of their priorities is the safety of those who live or visit there. Going forward there needs to be further study of the feasibility of increasing the density of the neighborhood even more.

At the very least there should be no further variances given on building setbacks and elevations.

Edward D. Lasky

Hawaii Kai

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