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Aloha ,
This edition of our newsletter highlights a number of great things happening with Envision Laie as we move forward.
First, you may have seen yesterday's Star Advertiser article about a recent survey of over 800 residents regarding Ko'olau Loa. The survey indicates high participation in the planning process and strong support for growth in our communities.
Second, as announced in our last edition, a City hearing on the Laie hotel is coming up next Tuesday morning. In addition to attending, residents are welcome to provide written comment to the City.
Last but not least, work on the community bike path at Malaekahana has been moving along nicely via service projects.
We invite you to take a look at the articles below for more details and photos from last Saturday's bike path service project.
Mahalo,
The Envision Lā'ie Team
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New Survey Released
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| High participation in planning process, strong support for growth
Yesterday's Star Advertiser ran an article about a recent survey indicating residents are squarely behind the land use planning process and Envision Laie's growth proposals. The survey was conducted by nationally recognized Heart+Mind Strategies in partnership with Honolulu-based Ward Research between December 8 and 17, 2010 for Envision Laie. A total of 832 O'ahu residents, including 157 residents from the Ko'olau Loa District were polled for this survey.
Our North/East Shore community is challenged by fewer jobs per household than the rest of Oahu and a greater percentage of families below the poverty line (13 percent) than in the City and County of Honolulu (7 percent). Two-thirds of Oahu residents believe that a "moderate amount of growth in the Ko'olau Loa district is necessary for the communities in the region to be vibrant and sustainable" (Oahu 65 percent; Ko'olau Loa 67 percent.) "It comes down to keeping the country sustainable for the generations who have been, are, or will have dedicated their lives to this community," said Eric Beaver, president of Hawaii Reserves, Inc. The proposed draft of the Ko'olau Loa Sustainable Communities Plan received support from nearly two-thirds of the Ko'olau Loa residents (64 percent) with half (49 percent) of those residing in Ko'olau Loa saying that they or a family member have participated in regional planning or envisioning activities. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of the Ko'olau Loa residents also favor developing "new affordable community housing" in Malaekahana, including 875 new housing units. To view the article and download info about the survey, please visit our website, www.envisionlaie.com. |
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Laie Hotel | | |
Comments from residents welcome
As announced in our last newsletter, the City's Department of Planning & Permitting is holding a public hearing on a permit application for the Laie hotel redevelopment, to be held at Kahuku Public Library on Tuesday, February 15th at 10:30 a.m. The Special Management Area (or SMA) permit is one of the last permits required before work can commence on the hotel, and is triggered due to proximity to the shoreline.
Approval of the permit will bring us closer to an opening target date of September 2013, to coincide with the 50th anniversary celebration of the Polynesian Cultural Center.
 | | Rendering of courtyard, banquet facility area (PCC at right) |
The hotel design will feature "contemporary Hawaiian" architectural elements, a Pacific Island theme, and include a banquet area and courtyard facilities. In addition to accomodating visitors to the area and the PCC, the hotel will also be a welcome addition for community events - such as family reunions and wedding receptions - temple patrons, people attending conferences and seminars at BYU-Hawaii, and friends visiting Ko'olau Loa.
The construction phase of the 220 room hotel is expected to generate 150 jobs with $2.5 million in wages. On completion, the Marriott hotel will generate well over 100 jobs on site, both for long-time community members and those enrolled in the university's hospitality and tourism program.  | | Rendering of front entrance and lobby (beach at right) |
Residents wishing to send input to the City regarding the hotel may do so by e-mailing comments to: koyama@honolulu.gov. Please include your name, physical address, and a subject line regarding the Laie Hotel SMA permit. |
| Bike Path Service Project |
| | Photos from last Saturday's service project . . .
To view more photos, visit the the Envision Laie page on Facebook.
If you like what you see and want to join the fun, service projects are being held every Saturday this month, from 8-11 a.m., including this Saturday morning. The work is rewarding and the community fellowship is great! For more info, please contact LCA board member Kevin Schlag at: itcouldbekevin@gmail.com. |
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