The next meeting of the Ala Wai Harbor Community Association (AWHCA) is scheduled for July 7, 2010, at the Hawaii Yacht Club.  Please mark your calendar.  These meetings bring together various people and groups one way or another related to the Ala Wai Harbor to network and tackle various issues, be it the Ala Wai Harbor, Hilton plans or whatever.  They are organized by community members who have done so much for our area.  Consider getting involved!

A company named Honey Bee USA, Inc. is proposing to redevelop certain areas of the Ala Wai Harbor.  It is a so-called “Waikiki Landing” proposed development.

Proposed "Waikiki Landing" redevelopment for Ala Wai Harbor, April 2010

Click on the link to read what Honolulu Advertiser of May 2, 2010 reports re this proposed “Waikiki Landing” development for the Ala Wai Harbor. 

Click on the link to view the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Waikiki Landing Proposed Development for the Ala Wai Harbor (report dated April 23, 2010) officially posted.  It is a very detailed, 189-page document.  It provides details on the proposed plans.

IMPORTANT ACTIONABLE ITEMS:  (1) The public can and is invited and encouraged to submit comments regarding this proposed development and the corresponding Draft Environment Assessment.  The due date for comments is May 23, 2010.  Click on the link to view the Notice how the public can submit comments regarding the proposed “Waikiki Landing” development, – the specifics how to comment re the “Waikiki Landing” project are on PAGE 3 of that document.  As said, the deadline is May 23, 2010.

(2) Attend a meeting of the ocean users’ community on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.  The meeting will take place at 6:30 PM at the Hawaii Yacht Club.  Click on the link to view the Notice re this Ala Wai Harbor meeting on May 4, 2010.  The meeting organizers expressly extended this invitation to folks from the Ilikai and Ilikai Marina.  This proposed development is one of the items on the meeting agenda.

As reported earlier, several Bills are going through this year’s Hawaii State Legislature that could be of relevance to us at the Ilikai.  This includes several Bills that include the Ala Wai Harbor in their scopes.  Here is a detailed update as of today, April 12, 2010, regarding the status of these Bills and what you can do.   This update was put together and so kindly supplied to us by Makai Society that is representing members of the ocean use community.  We THANK Makai Society so much for all their tireless efforts and for keeping us apprised!  Sincere huge THANKS!

The current status is this (thanks to Makai Society for this update!).  Conference Committee (CC) members have been selected.  Each bill has its own set of CC members (fortunately, HB 2582 and HB 2741 the Senate members are the same). As Makai Society advises based on their experience working with the Legislature, all CC members are not equal.  So if you have limited  time, then concentrate your efforts on the Chair and Co-chairs of the CCs.  During the next 4-5 days (i.e., this week!), the Chairs and Co-chairs must reach agreement on the final language in each bill or the bill dies.  If and when they agree then each chamber must vote on each finalized bill.  Approved bill(s) then go to the governor for her signature.

Is there anything you can do to influence those decisions?  Yes!  There are no more hearings for public testimonies.  At this point, the most effective method to influence the CCs’ decision is in-person by visiting their offices.  Write some brief comments on a single sheet of paper so if the CC member is not in the office, you can leave a copy of your comments with their office staff.  The second best method is by phone.  Third is e-mail. Friends and family can help, too, especially if they live in one of the Chairs’ districts.