2016-02-04 Hearing Transcript - PD Initiated Redevelopment Area Banyan Drive

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clearance, reconstruction, or rehabilitation, or any combination of these as deemed appropriate or necessary in the interest of the general welfare and in accordance with procedures and authorities set forth in Chapter 53, Part I, it’s the Urban Redevelopment Act, and Part II, the Urban Renewal, Hawaiʽi Revised Statutes. Daryn, please? ARAI: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, Commissioners. If I may direct your attention to the presentation screen, again, what you have before you is a Planning Director initiated request for the designation of a redevelopment area for the Banyan Drive peninsula. The County, through its Planning Department, and the State, through its Department of Land and Natural Resources, or the DLNR, have announced their joint support for economic development and the revitalization of the Banyan Drive area by implementing an urban renewal project that will be administered by a new redevelopment agency to be established specifically for the Banyan Drive peninsula. The State’s urban renewal law, which is Section 53 of the Hawaiʽi Revised Statutes, provides the necessary authorities to the County to pursue this particular project. However, it first requires that the Windward Planning Commission designate the Banyan Drive peninsula area as a “blighted area.” I’m sorry, I was hoping the photo would be lot bigger, but this is an aerial photo of the Banyan Drive peninsula which is the focus of today’s request. At the bottom of the map is Kamehameha Avenue. This is Lihiwai Street, which is running along Suisan and Banyan Drive, which loops around and connects back with Kamehameha Avenue. Projects of note as highlighted on this aerial photo includes Hilo Bay Café; Liliuokalani Gardens in this area here; Coconut Island or Moku Ola in this location here; Hilo Hawaiian Hotel located in this location; right next to it is Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel; and further next to it is the Hilo Naniloa Hotel. Other residential developments include the Country Club Condominiums; the Banyan Drive—sorry, the Banyan Apartments; and the Reed’s Bay Resort. Other noteworthy facilities include, again, Suisan in this particular location here; the HELCO power station located in this particular area; and this is Hilo Seaside Hotel. This is a map which not only identifies the Banyan Drive peninsula as indicated or highlighted by various colors, but it’s over—also overlaid with this pink area here which is the original boundaries of the Kaikoʽo Project. The Kaikoʽo Project was established in order to facilitate the rd redevelopment of the Kaikoʽo area due to the May 23, 1960 tsunami which devastated portions of Hilo. The extent of the Kaikoʽo area which is basically highlighted by pink extends to the northeast from Ponahawai Street, runs along Kīlauea Avenue, encompasses all of Wailoa State Park, runs along Piʽilani and Manono Streets, and then along portions of Kuawa Street before encompassing most of the Banyan Drive peninsula. Of note is the Kaikoʽo Project boundary did not include Moku Ola or Coconut Island as well as the resort and condominium facilities located 2 EXHIBIT C