Keep the North Shore Sane: September 2006

Too Much Noise? New org wants to help.

I picked this up from one of my favorite blogs that is written by Ian Lind. He tells us about a site that wants to combat intrusive noise in Hawaii. Check out Citizens Against Noise They also have a flyer that can be printed out and posted - Can Flyer

Does anyone know what is happening at Kammie's Market?

The rumor I heard is that the new owners have a major problem with proceeding with the building. Can someone who knows the scoop let us know what is happening? Anonymous replies are fne.

Scene on the North Shore - Election Day at Sunset Beach El

The saying goes "Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows" certainly applies to the North Shore. The sign wavers for one of THE REPUBLICANS were the Union leaders at largest hotel on the North Shore. Go figure.

Will Turtle Bay become another Waikiki?

Here are some statistics from a DBET study of Waikiki done in 2003 about Waikiki and information derived from public information and statements made by Turtle Bay. The complete report is here DBET Report - Economic Contribution of Waikiki

Acreage - Waikiki- 650 acres. - Turtle Bay - 800 acres.
Total Hotel Rooms and Condominiums - Waikiki -37,000 hotel rooms and condos - Turtle Bay - 1,000 current hotel rooms and condos, 4,500 if built out to 100% of zoning.
# of Businesses- - Waikiki has 1,600 businesses - Turtle Bay (counting the hotel and golf course) has 10. At 100% of zoning 30 - 40???
# of Visitors - Waikiki - 3,700,000 visitors a year. - Turtle Bay has about 300,000 (includes golfers, diners and special events attendees).
# of Employees - Waikiki- 32,000 workers. - Turtle Bay - 650 employees. At 100% of zoning 2,000 employees???

The organized opponents to Turtle Bay have made "Turtle Bay Will Be Another Waikiki" part of their message in all of their letters to the editor, protests, websites and other propaganda. I leave it to the reader to look at the statistics and determine the accuracy of the anti-Turtle Bay people and whether this arguement should be believed.

Turtle Bay Opponents - Do the Ends Justify The Means? (Part 2)

(the scene – 2006) UNITE HERE Union Local 5 who was in a labor dispute and boycotting Turtle Bay notifies and starts organizing some North Shore people and organizations against Oaktree and the plan to proceed with the development at Turtle Bay.

The information from Local 5 is distributed and a campaign starts to block the development.

The main point of Defend Oahu Coalition, Keep The North Shore Country and others is that “20 years is too long for a plan to exist. It needs to be reevaluated. It needs a new EIS. Oaktree is dusting off a 20 year old plan. Etc. etc. etc.” The summation of the views of this are expressed by KK in the video of the demonstration from KHON at Turtle Bay 0n 9-5-06 - KHON Monday 9-5-06 "We don't think you just dust off a 20 year old plan and to ahead with it."

Ironically the “20 Year” argument presented in the guise of rationality by Turtle Bay opponents is the most inaccurate and dangerous statement they make.

The facts as they were outlined in part 1 show, this plan has been actively going by the current owner since 1997 at the latest.

Turtle Bay’s most current plans started in 1997. That was about 10 years after the Unilateral Agreement was unanimously approved by City Council and 9 years ago. That is actually a small time for a project like this. Any large scale real estate project that requires investment, commitment, plans, construction, engineering, permits, conditions, planning dept. approvals, zoning, architecture, design, etc. has a timeline that resembles Turtle Bay's project. In Hawaii things take even longer than most places. For example, K.K. knows how long academic projects that merely move minds, people, paper and computers take. Would 3-5 years from conception of an academic project at the University level to starting the program be considered too long? Absolutely not. With Turtle Bay, where the project is infinitely more complicated, are we to believe this timeline is less complicated than a research project?

The people who are opposed to further development at Turtle Bay are so adamant in their desire to stop them that they will do anything, say anything, try anything, partner with anyone and in general resort to any means possible to try and stop Oaktree.

I think that the renunciation of reason, truth and honest/open dialogue over ANY issue is harmful to the future of the North Shore.

There are so many other distortions out there.. If the end justifies the means, I guess people feel like they can say and do anything to get their way. I think that is wrong.

If you oppose Turtle Bay let's know the truth, learn the truth and tell the truth.

Those opposing Turtle Bay, what are your ideas about the property rights that Mr. Oaktree has?

HapaMother hapamother@yahoo.com

Let's pretend it is 1997 and YOU are Mr. Oaktree. (Part 1)

(the scene) 1997 - The real estate market in California and Japan is bleak. Both bubbles burst in the early 1990's and the casualties from the fall out include the Pacific Northwest, California and in the pincher of both recessions - Hawaii.

Hawaii's economy is hurting, home prices have declined for at least 6 years and the factors that drove it up - Japanese and primarily California visitors and investors have much larger issues to deal with than leisure market investment options.

Turtle Bay since the big marketing bang of the late 1980's - PGA and LPGA golf tournaments, Jazz Festivals, lavish parties, big plans for expansion has been steadily declining and the place is gradually starting to resemble its nickname "Beirut". Chunks of concrete are falling off the building, the roof leaks, the keiki playground is closed due to hazardous equipment, there is no maintainence budget and both golf courses are suffering from lack of money to take care of priorities. The Japanese owners are out of money, can not execute their development plans because they have no dough, the market is awful and they are doing NOTHING to make the place better. They cut spending to pretty much $0 and put the property up for sale.

YOU are Mr. Oaktree with offices in L.A. and N.Y. sees something come across your desk. "800 plus acres on Oahu for sale. Distressed owner from Japan, needs fixing up, with approvals to build 4 more hotels and 2 condos developments. 27 holes of golf, with potential to have 36 holes".

Interesting.

At this point in time, you Mr. Oaktree have a number of big things to consider. How much do I pay? Can this place be fixed? How much will it cost to be fixed? Will Oahu be an attractive destination again? If I fix it will people come and pay what I need them to pay to make money?

You do not consider that if you do everything you need to do you might not be able to build out the Resort.

We know how this story plays out. You Mr. Oaktree buy the Resort in 1998. It takes 2-3 years to get approvals to start the massive remodeling of the hotel. In 2001, there are cranes in the air and work is going full blast. 9-11-01 is another blow to Hawaii's tourism industry, people are afraid to fly and the economy nose dives.

Mr. Oaktree keeps going, by time he's done. Essentially a new hotel is done, new pools, Lei Lei's, Ola, new 9 holes of golf, 2 remodeled courses, Ocean Villas condos, hiking trails, etc. etc. etc. - $100,000,000 plus in investment.

Now Mr. Oaktree wants to put in infrastructure to build more stuff. The infrastructure will deliver to the 6 zoned parcels water, power, cable, sewer, etc.. The maximum combined number of units is 3,500 as the Unilateral Agreement states. Those are the conditions that he bought the property under, in full compliance with all laws.

In January 2006, UNITE HERE Union Local 5 who was in a labor dispute and boycotting Turtle Bay notifies and starts organizing some North Shore people against Oaktree. Which brings us to today.

Next Post - Part 2 (2006) Does the "End Justify The Means?" Is 20 years too long?

Guest Post: Choon James

Aloha! Thanks for your invitation to your new blog. It is always a good thing when citizens like you take the initiative to open up dialogue about issues that concern us. I'm always mindful that America's democracy that protects free speech and free will is a God-given gift. I recently came back from Singapore and was again starkly reminded that the authorities consider it suspicious when there is a group gathering of 5 or more people. Of course, you do not hear or read dissent in the public media or discourses. The powers-that-be know it all and need no grassroots input. So, congratulations again for your efforts. I hope this blog will become a dialogue of great conversations and great ideas among our north shore residents. Every voice is important and should be valued. Choon James

Keep The North Shore Country Needs Some $$$$

This was on the Hawaii News Reporter site the other day, it was a Guest Editorial. Interesting appeal as this site is generally viewed as a conservative forum. ...Suing a well-funded mainland real estate investor and the City is no small task as extensive professional and legal work must be performed to respond quickly and effectively. Our professional and legal expenses are quite high. We have minimal expenses for bumper stickers, bank fees, etc. All of the time and efforts by the Directors and Supporters are volunteered. Many of you have already invested in our cause and it is truly appreciated. Unfortunately, we need more donations to ensure the highest quality legal campaign. You can contribute as follows:... Full story can be found here. http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?28109983-99d8-41d0-b708-ed7ecbf1da68

AP Story about Homeless on Oahu's West Side - confirms theory

I found this story on MSNBC re Oahu's homeless on the West Side.

As far as I am concerned, this proves my theory about the beach traffic all going to the North Shore from the 9-6-06 post.

How do these lines from the story make you feel about heading over to Makaha for a little surfing, fishing or a day at the beach?

...Just up the coast from a major luxury resort, at least 725 homeless people — by one community group’s count — are living on a 16-mile stretch of Oahu’s western shore, a pristine beach where oceanfront lots would cost millions. Armed with city-issued camping permits, the homeless use beach showers and sleep in tightly packed tents. Dinner is bought with food stamps...

...The camps along the Waianae coastline look like a Third World village. A basketball hoop hangs from the side of a tree, and grills substitute for ovens. Children ride their secondhand bicycles through an obstacle course of benches and old trucks.

For the full story check out MSNBC link below.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14788746/

We Need a Road, the Feds are Buiding a Road. Let's Share.

The U.S. Army as part of the plan to accommodate the Stryker Brigade, is going to build a road from generally Schofield/Wahiawa to the Turtle Bay area so military vehicles can bypass public roads - mainly Kamehameha Hwy.

People of the North Shore, we should do everything we can to have the road built to have public access on it, even if it is on a limited basis. Here are some some of the benefits

Traffic - On the weekends the road between Haleiwa and Waimea is frequently grid locked. There is no way to get rid of that traffic. This road would provide a means to bypass Kam Hwy between Punaluu and Haleiwa.

There is nothing else that can be done to help move things along along other than build a road that gets people off of Kam Hwy or else make Kam Hwy a 4 lane road - nobody wants that and it is not practical.

Safety - Currently there is one way out of the North Shore up to Haleiwa and through the entire windward side. When a traffic accident happens, brushfire, landslide, a broken water main, etc. that forces a road closure, both public traffic and emergency vehicles have to literally go around the island - a two hour trip. There needs to be an additional egress and access road that enables evacuation. There is also a very strong likelihood that Kahuku Hospital could fail. If that were the case, someone that is in distress would have a 40 to possible 90 minute drive to Wahiawa Hospital under current conditions. Double it if the ambulance has to get here from there. With an mini "H-4" road drive time to Wahiawa would be about 15 - 20 minutes and that would save lives. The grid locked traffic on Kam Hwy in also impeding lifeguards, police and fire depts... from being able to get to emergencies.

The Environment - hundreds if not thousands of idling cars on a weekend that back up from Haleiwa past Shark's Cove are not environmentally friendly. Also the added mileage that people from the North Shore - Kahuku, Laie, Hauula to get to their jobs, run errands, etc. is wasteful and expensive.

This is a federal project. Senators Akaka and Inouye and Congressman Ed Case need to get this going. Also, it would also need the support of Linda Lingle, Mufi Hannemann and local legislator Donavan De La Cruz and Michael Magouay.

The Mormon community of Laie needs to get behind it - for the same safety, traffic and environmental reasons as above, but also for the economic interests of enabling their church members to get to work more efficiently and enabling visitors to BYUH and the Polynesian Cultural Center easier access.

*The Kahuku, Hauula, Punaluu Community needs to be behind it - this enables the people of Kahuku much easier access to amenities, safety and economic benefits of being able to reasonably commute to work outside of the North Shore.

The Sunset Beach Community will probably never be behind anything that requires more than a shovel to be used. It would be historical to get them to support anything.

Copy Local 5 and the Defend Oahu Coalition Methods - They have done an amazing job of getting their concerns heard by the Media. First send letters to the editor regarding the road. Then get The Advertiser to do a major article on it (at this point TV and radio cover it) and then get The Advertiser to do an editorial either for or against the idea. From that point forward all coverage they have either supports of negates the "idea". We need the Paper's support, and some key radio personalities for it.

This is a HUGE benefit for the North Shore. - It helps the North Shore save time, gas and money. - It protects us in case of accidents and emergencies. - It is the only way we can get traffic off of Kam Hwy.

CAN ANYONE HELP GET THIS DONE?

Traffic on the North Shore.

If you have moved here after 2001, you won't know what I am talking about so read and learn.

During the past 3 years there has been a significant change in traffic on the North Shore. Of course like it always was, it gets crowded over here when the weathermen forecast high surf warnings or surf contests run. Summers were relatively quiet on the North Shore. You can ask the founders of the Haleiwa Arts Festival J.G and G.A. . They started the festival back in 1998 because local Haleiwa businesses wanted to come up with some kind of way for people to come up to the North Shore during the summer. They were desperate for traffic, any kind of traffic. So a Festival was born.

But, things are different now. Any sunny warm Saturday or Sunday will inevitably cause a large traffic jam heading to the beach in the morning and heading toward town in the afternoon. The North Shore is experiencing classic beach commuter traffic jams. It is no different that Manhattan Beach in L.A. or Jones Beach in N.Y. If it is sunny andwarm, lets all go to the beach. Makaka - no too much homeless over there. They steal our stuff, stinky too. Koolina - no can park there. Ala Moana - no want to go to town. North Shore here we come!

But why traffic jams now and not three years ago? It is not the tourists. Yes tourists do come to the North Shore, but most of them come on weekdays. Most tourist arrivals and departures are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They are not likely to do their mandatory trips to the North Shore on the day the get here or the day of their departure.

The state of the beaches on the West Side is greatly affecting the visitors who now choose to go to the North Shore. Aiea, Pearl City, Town, Waikele if you live there are you going Waianaie side? Are you going to ignore the obvious and walk through all those tents by the beach? The tents that are there EVERY DAY? Do you pack up your clean truck and park next to some scary looking homeless people who live on the beach and not worry about what is going to happen to your vehicle? The answer is no. You go to the North Shore. Check out the cars in traffic on Saturday and Sunday. They are mainly local families, teens and surfers coming from over the hill to hit the beach. Until the west side is safe and clean again. People are not going to go over there and the traffic on the North Shore is going to get worse no matter who builds what.

Is it "Turtle Beach's" fault. A little bit, but there are a lot of surfers there, fisherman, people who watch the people who watch the turtles and yes some tourists.

Is it Turtle Bays fault? No, Turtle Bay does not have any more people coming there than when it was a kegger and locals with Hibachi spot. Yeah the rates they charge are 4x as much as the old days but probably less people since they don't allow 10 per room anymore.

Is it Waikiki's fault? No, they are a little bit more full than before, but not crazy more.

Is it the homeless fault? Yes it is! The homeless on the West Side have everyone scared of going over there. So where do they go....Waikiki, Ala Moana, Koolina - NO WAY. They go to the North Shore - that is the reason the traffic is now bad on any sunny weekend day on the North Shore.

Clean up Makaha, and much less traffic on Kamehameha Hwy at "Turtle Beach" and every where else on this side.

Next Post There is only one solution to NS traffic.

Aloha,

HapaMother.