06.30.22
Dear County Council Affordable Housing Committee:
Please consider allocating $500,000+ - from the Affordable Housing Fund (~$32,000,000 in new FY), as a public contribution to the privately funded Wailuku Affordable Rental Apartments at Honoapi’ilani Hwy and Kuikahi, Wailuku (across street from Wailuku Foodland). Purpose is to further grade the land down an additional 25' near highway similar to Foodland, so that we do not have two twin towers blocking the existing unobstructed views of the North Shore Harbor Area and of Haleakala. These could be our next two "monster" houses that people would become irate about when they start getting constructed. This project went through the 201H fast track process about three or four years ago under a different council but is now being constructed on your watch. I have brought this up to Gabe Johnson twice, with Kelly King staffer on the call at same time -- did it on my own time in May 2021 and have since communicated via email.
Note that the project grading has started grading the lower area only so far. This funding would have to go through Public Works I assume. I did send testimony to Jordan Molina also but never heard back.
I know chances are slim but worth gaining a win-win public-private partnership to lower these two planned building towers as this view plane obstruction sets precedence for this development corridor. The Planning Department in comments asked developer to preserve view by lopping off one story each of these two buildings which Munekiyo responded it would not make it affordable any longer – rather than just requesting a condition to “preserve the view plane corridors”. Adding further grading, using available funds, is a sensible solution before these twin mauka towers are built.
Mahalo for all you do,
Jim Buika, Planning Department 808-283-8636
514 Komo Ohia Street, Wailuku 96793
06.30.22
Dear County Council Affordable Housing Committee:
Please consider allocating $500,000+ - from the Affordable Housing Fund (~$32,000,000 in new FY), as a public contribution to the privately funded Wailuku Affordable Rental Apartments at Honoapi’ilani Hwy and Kuikahi, Wailuku (across street from Wailuku Foodland). Purpose is to further grade the land down an additional 25' near highway similar to Foodland, so that we do not have two twin towers blocking the existing unobstructed views of the North Shore Harbor Area and of Haleakala. These could be our next two "monster" houses that people would become irate about when they start getting constructed. This project went through the 201H fast track process about three or four years ago under a different council but is now being constructed on your watch. I have brought this up to Gabe Johnson twice, with Kelly King staffer on the call at same time -- did it on my own time in May 2021 and have since communicated via email.
Note that the project grading has started grading the lower area only so far. This funding would have to go through Public Works I assume. I did send testimony to Jordan Molina also but never heard back.
I know chances are slim but worth gaining a win-win public-private partnership to lower these two planned building towers as this view plane obstruction sets precedence for this development corridor. The Planning Department in comments asked developer to preserve view by lopping off one story each of these two buildings which Munekiyo responded it would not make it affordable any longer – rather than just requesting a condition to “preserve the view plane corridors”. Adding further grading, using available funds, is a sensible solution before these twin mauka towers are built.
Mahalo for all you do,
Jim Buika, Planning Department 808-283-8636
514 Komo Ohia Street, Wailuku 96793
We strongly support affordable and workforce housing initiatives and developments.