A number of Envision Lā'ie proposals are included in the
city's latest Ko'olau Loa Sustainable Communities Plan (KSCP)--growth of
BYU-Hawaii, additional housing in Malaekahana, and an alternate access road.
The KSCP is one of eight community-oriented plans set up
more than a decade ago by the city to help guide public policy at the local
level. Its vision statement
focuses on enhancing the region's ability to sustain its unique character,
current population, growing families, lifestyle and economic livelihood.
"Continuing community input and participation is very important at this
stage," said Pane Meatoga, Lā'ie Community Association president. "People can
still be heard. There will be a number of opportunities for the community."
The deadline for public comment on the KSCP is December 15
(see info below).
"We need to find solutions that work for the community as a whole," said
Eric Beaver, Hawaii Reserves, Inc. president. "While Envision Lā'ie's proposals
were scaled down in the city's draft, we appreciate the difficult task the DPP staff had
before them and believe they have heard the community."
Last year, more than a thousand Ko'olau Loa residents signed a petition
to support amending the city's plans to preserve growth
options for BYU-Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center and to relocate
housing designations to Malaekahana. The petition followed on the heels of Envision
Lā'ie community workshops of hundreds of people, who expressed support for
workforce housing, job opportunities, better public education, and a community
design that supported the people who live there.
The Lā'ie and Kahuku Community Associations submitted letters in support
of Envision Lā'ie's proposals, and the Ko'olau Loa Neighborhood Board voted in
support.
Community feedback mirrors a scientific survey conducted with nearly 700
Oahu and area residents by nationally recognized Heart + Mind Strategies in
conjunction with the Hawai'i-based OmniTrak Group, Inc. That survey identified
affordable housing, schools and transportation as urgent needs.
Recognizing the voice of community residents, nine Ko'olau Loa Planning
Advisory Committee members wrote letters to the Department of Planning
and Permitting requesting that Envision Lā'ie growth proposals be included in the new city
plan.
Once the KSCP is adopted, the plan will form the foundation
for planning for the Ko'olau Loa region until 2035.
We invite you to read and comment on the entire Public
Review Draft.
Please click here. The public comment period ends December 15. Comments should
be sent to:
Helber Hastert & Fee
Planners
733 Bishop Street, Suite 2590
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
E-mail:
[email protected] Fax: 808-545-2050