A bill allowing limited service hotels in lower density, mixed-use neighborhoods of West and Central Oahu was sent back to the City Council Planning and Zoning Committee for retinkering on Wednesday.
Councilman Ikaika Anderson, who heads the committee, said after the meeting that the latest version of the bill would also require any request for a limited service hotel with more than 180 rooms to gain approval from the Council, in addition to the Department of Planning and Permitting. A majority of Council members appear to support such a proposal but just want to make sure the committee can make the change, he said.
Supporters of the bill say limited service hotels would fill a badly needed void in the fast-growing West Oahu and Central Oahu regions. The low-key hotels cater to business- and family-oriented travelers not out for a resort experience. University of Hawaii at West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni said faculty member recruits, visiting scholars and others visiting his campus for a few days or weeks have to stay in Waikiki.
But Unite Here! Local 5, a union that represents hotel and restaurant workers, has led opposition to the measure. Local 5 Financial Secretary-Treasurer Eric Gill said limited service hotels would result in the loss of jobs that typically come with standard or luxury service hotels.
Also on Wednesday, seven of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s Cabinet nominations sailed through the Council.
Approved 9-0 were: Mark Rigg as emergency services director; Clarke Bright as Royal Hawaiian Band director; Sherilyn Kajiwara as customer services director; Ross Sasamura as chief engineer and director of facility maintenance; Lori Kahikina as director of environmental services; Chris Takashige as director of design and construction; and Michael Formby as director of transportation services.
Bright continues on in the post he was appointed to by former Mayor Peter Carlisle. Sasamura served as chief engineer more than a decade ago under former Mayor Jeremy Harris.
Meanwhile, the Council gave preliminary approval to three bills designed to clear city sidewalks, one of which bans tents.
About a half-dozen members of DeOccupy Honolulu testified against the bills, criticizing Council members for punishing the homeless, those least able to help themselves.
But Makiki resident Glen Elliot applauded the bills, stating he supports any bill that would clean up Thomas Square, where DeOccupy supporters have been set up since the fall of 2011. "The place smells like urine, the place is littered with rubbish."
