On the heels of three consecutive protests in June, there was a City Council meeting on July 3, 2019 featuring Resolution 19-145, urging the Mayor and the City Administration to address the concerns of the affected communities regarding the Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Project and to consider and explore alternative plans that minimize impacts to area residents, schools, and other stakeholders. It is not just about the Ala Wai Project, it is about all of us. Although this does not directly relate to Ala Moana Beach Park, the island wide efforts being made on the part of groups like Ala Wai Project to elicit government cooperation have helped us all. This Resolution passed unanimously.
On July 23, the Committee of Parks, Community Services, and Intergovernmental Affairs met and advanced Resolution 19-160 which asks the City Administration to prepare a Third Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposals not sufficiently covered in the previous Draft EIS. There were over 50 written testimonies and about a dozen oral testimonies in support.
On July 24th, Mālama Moana had an organizational meeting and our name has changed officially (for now) to Mālama Moana Beach Park (Mālama Moana for short).
On July 29, Shar Chun-Lum and Diane Fujimura from Save Ala Moana Beach Park Hui spoke about the current status of Ala Moana Beach Park’s Master Plan on the cable network show, Think Tech Hawaii with Winston Welch from the Outdoor Circle. You can check out the video in the ‘Media’ page.
On July 31st, four members of Mālama Moana Beach Park met with Council Member Tommy Waters who represents the Ala Moana Park district on July 31st to talk with him about the upcoming Final Environmental Impact Statement and other related matters. We look forward to a continued discussion.
Following our meeting with CM Waters, Mālama Moana held a meeting with several groups regarding issues with the EIS and what we can do. It was an active and informative meeting with a greater understanding of what needs to be done.