HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0154.006 2010-2012 Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial, Inc.
Po Box 827
Pepe'ekeo. Hi 96783
April 6, 2011
Subject: Testimony in support of the Kapiolani St. extension project
Aloha kakou members of the Hawaii County Council and the public in attendance
As many of you are aware, I chair the Hawaii Island Veterans' non - profit
corporation organized to develop a veterans' center and senior living community
on Hawai'i Island. Before the effects of the national financial crisis were felt here
in mid -2008, we were well along on our way to do that on our lot along Kawili St
across from Waiakea HS. But having been stalled for nearly two years, we
entertained a proposal made to us by the University of Hawaii at Hilo to
exchange that portion of our lot along Kapiolani St designated for the senior living
component for a larger undeveloped parcel off Mohouli St that would enable us
to develop the same number of units and amenities on a less expensive single
story level that could be done in phases rather than having to go multi -story in
one fell swoop. That would provide us a huge cost savings while the advantage
for the University's development plans in having a contiguous fully - entitled 6 -1/2
acre lot is readily apparent to all. Since we were stalled indefinitely and share the
belief that the university's continued growth and development is in the best
interest of the entire county, we decided to seriously consider their idea.
Negotiations to do this began in earnest last June, an agreement was reached,
and we are now poised to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the
University that would formalize the exchange. Therefore the island's veterans
community also has a vested interest in seeing that needed infrastructure is
included in that tract of mostly vacant and undeveloped state land (TMK 3/ 2 -4-
001:024, located along Mohouli Street, mauka of Kinoole St., situated between
the residential lots on the Puna side of Mohouli and the drainage swale behind
them and extending uphill to the University Heights sub - division) that contains
the 13 acres above the Hospice of Hawaii that is earmarked for our project's
residential component. We share the University's interest in this parcel and
enjoin its support for bringing needed infrastructure to it by extending Kapiolani
St. across to Mohouli St. But that said, we'd also emphasize that in order to be
effective in opening up this state land along Mohouli to our mutual development
plans, the Kapiolani St. extension project should also include a sewer
transmission line, and that failure to include this will result in little more than
adding another more convenient roadway between Lanikaula and Mohouili Sts.
to what Kinoole and Kilauea Streets already provide when the major impediment
to developing the area is wastewater disposal.
Cann No. /S• �o
Ref. To: I Gowti /
Ref. Dote APR 6 ?R1)
In recognition of this, and sharing the concern for the growing public
indebtedness our county faces, we recommend serious consideration be given to
including a sewer study to the Kapiolani St extension project scope of work and
that it focus on wastewater disposal requirements between University Heights
down the Puna side of Mohouli all the way makai to Kinoole St. Further, we
recommend it evaluate the feasibility of vectoring all the wastewater therein --
inclusive of existing residents and mindful of the university's (and our) future
plans -- across the swale in one major transmission line that would connect into
the Kinoole St. sewer transmission line in the vicinity of Lono St. Following the
conclusion of this study and an evaluation of the results, work could then proceed
on developing the preliminary engineering plans needed to realistically determine
overall project costs. Accordingly, we strongly support and advocate for the funds
needed to accomplish this be approved and included in the Hawaii county budget
for FY 2012.
lmua! Malama pono malama na koa,
R.N. (Bob) Williams, Lt. Col., USA, ret.
Chairman
CF:
- Mayor Kenoi
- Chancellor Straney