Aloha Friends!

Here we go again…

The first public hearing notice on SB 534 (Senate bill) has come out regarding OHA’s plan to change the existing law to allow residential high-rises 400 feet tall under the guise of being affordable, for the surrounding workforce and for the locals. Think about whether the prices are actually affordable and whether it will truly be for the locals.

To reiterate, Friends of Kewalo is not against residential. but when it attempts to change a law that has been protecting this last oceanfront land under the guise of being affordable and such, that is not Pono. If OHA wants to build residential on Kaka’ako Makai, Friends of Kewalo is requesting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be performed to ensure any construction on the Makai side is being responsibly and safely constructed.

The hearing is scheduled on January 29, Wednesday 1:00 PM in the Capitol Auditorium. The Capitol Auditorium is the largest hearing room in the building. That indicates they are expecting a lot of people. It is located on the chamber level, the floor below the courtyard.

We must be there in force with our red shirts to make a strong statement. 

 Now is the time to submit your testimony. It can be by written, video conference, or in person. Note: Page 2 of the hearing notice has instructions. For more detail info go to the Public Access Room Website

Click Here for details of SB 534 and how to submit testimony

Click here for Notice of Hearing

Sample Testimony
Typically, you will address your testimony to the Committee chairs and members. In this case there are THREE Committees: Water & Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing. The testimony does not have to be long, short and sweet is best. Keep in mind that only 2 minutes is allowed for in person testimony. Written can be any length, but don’t make it too long. 

e.g. “I am testifying in strong opposition to have residential on Kaka’ako Makai. We have too many high rises already in the area and more are on its way. We need to protect this special land, the last oceanfront land on the South shore of Oahu from becoming another Waikiki. It is already too late for Mauka side of Kaka’ako but it is not too late for Kaka’ako Makai. Let’s protect these open spaces for our children and our children’s children.”

If you have questions, please reply to this email.

Happy writing and see you there!

“You cannot go through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference. You just have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”  -Jane Goodall.
 
  Protecting Open Spaces for Hawai’i’s Future Generations

Mahalo,
Friends of Kewalos
PROTECT, PRESERVE, MALAMA!