Bill 11

There will be an important City Council Meeting on June 5th from at 10 AM at City Hall on the 3rd floor, which will cover the budget for the upcoming year. We are concerned about Bill 11 (view here) which has 66 pages of budgeted items. Please support taking out funding by submitting a testimony (click here) for the shared-use sidewalk on the makai side, mauka perpendicular parking, playground, dog park, and sand replenishment.

Second Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS)

The City and County of Honolulu released the SDEIS for Ala Moana Regional Park on February 8, 2019 (view here). Mālama Moana is currently focusing on the following SDEIS proposed actions:

1. Widening the makai pathway to develop a shared-use path which will remove open grassy areas and poses safety issues for pedestrians who will have to share the pathway with cyclists

2. Reconfiguring mauka parking into perpendicular stalls which poses safety and access issues

3. Developing a one-acre “world-class” playground with zip-lines and a splash pad that will utilize valuable space without public input and proper review

4. Developing a dog park which poses health and safety issues and also takes away open space from existing uses

5. Replenishing the beach shoreline with sand dredged from outside the reef which may affect the surf breaks known as Courts, Concessions, and Baby Haleiwa

The public has 45 days until March 25th, 2019 to respond to the SDEIS regarding their concerns and recommendations. Letters (via email) may be sent to: alamoanaeis@bchdesign.com 

Ordinance 18-46 Protects Makai Parking & Pathway

Since 2015, the local People have fought to keep makai parking as is and protect the makai grassy strip from being removed by a multi-use concrete walkway. The People’s voice were heard and now the makai parking and grassy strip is protected by Ordinance 18-46.

Bill 76 (view here) was approved on December 21, 2018, and became Ordinance 18-46 (view here).

This could not have been possible without the support and efforts of the People. Mahalo to you all!

'World-class' Playground Proposal

A massive 1-acre ‘world-class’ playground with zip-lines, splash pad, a cafe, and more is being proposed to Ala Moana Beach Park. The playground was approved without a proper review of the playground’s design and without any public input.

Many considerations need to be identified and resolved before the design is approved. Mālama Moana sent out a letter of concern to various stakeholders, regarding an opportunity for public review in the hopes that the local people of Hawai‘i may voice their concerns and ideas.

Here are some of our concerns:

• Zip-lines pose a safety risk to the keiki.

• The splash pad poses water quality concerns if the water is not clean and the keiki drink it or get the water on their skin.

• Who will pay for the operation and maintenance? Costs have not been identified to ensure that there is sufficient funds to operate and maintain the playground’s ‘world-class’ features, including zip-lines, splash pad, security cameras, and safety lighting.

• Local park users have expressed their concerns to keep the Park’s character the same and have no desire to upscale the Park with modern design and added structures. The proposed playground does not fit the existing character of the Park and does not match the Park’s natural setting.

• The ocean and open-green spaces is already a playground for the keiki. Is there really a need for a ‘world-class’ playground at Ala Moana Beach Park?

Makai Pathway Proposal

Proposed action: “Widening the shared-use path along the makai side of Ala Moana Park Drive” (DEIS & SDEIS)

The proposal was rejected by the local community in four public forums that took place in March 2015, April 2016, January 2018, and August 2018. The local community have repeatedly stressed that the City and County preserve the local character of the park and restrain from upscaling the park with modern design and added structures.

Why we should keep the makai pathway as is:

• The design of the existing pathway is balanced with natural sources (grass and trees) and the concrete pathway for beach park users to enjoy their recreational activities

• The makai grassy strip (along the makai pathway) is a local gathering place where families set up their tents, picnic, and BBQ

• The existing pathway already satisfies the beach park users’ needs and supports the pedestrian traffic

• The existing pathway provides easy access to the ocean

Why we should NOT widen the makai pathway and turn it into a shared-use path:

• The proposed action will change the local character of the beach park

• The proposed action will remove makai parking

• The proposed action will remove open green spaces and replace with more concrete

• Local families will no longer be able to set up their tents, picnic, and BBQ

• A shared-use path with promote other commercial activities, such as Bikis and Segways

• A shared-use path poses safety issues from wheeled vehicles (bicycles) colliding with the pedestrians

UPDATE: With the support of Council Members Ann Kobayahi and Carol Fukunaga, Ordinance 18-46 was enacted on December 21, 2018. This law protects the makai parking and prohibits widening the makai pathway and removing the makai grassy strip. This law is a result of the People’s voice and efforts—the Power of the People!