There are lots of reasons why this is not an opportune time for a change in leadership at the Hawaii Community Development Authority, not the least of which is that it’s been only a year since the last one.
The central piece of HCDA’s territory, the redevelopment of Kakaako, has hit some significant hurdles, the homelessness crisis being the most challenging. Luxury condominium towers are rising as shining centerpieces, but below, those with less money remain unconvinced that redevelopment will serve them as well.
There are conflicts over management of the state’s underutilized asset, Kewalo Harbor. Inland, advocates for affordable housing are worried that the construction boom in the district will yield towers with a lot of steel and mirrored-glass windows but not enough “workforce” and lower-
income units to counter a growing housing shortage.
So it’s unfortunate that the onus is back on the agency’s board of directors to select a new executive director, with the resignation of Jesse Souki.
No official reason was given for the resignation; board Chairman John Whalen said it came as a surprise, adding that Souki had done a good job. Souki was in the midst of a performance review that, Whalen added, was drawing positive comments.
Regardless of the reason, the important thing now is to look forward and fill the leadership gap without delay.
Whalen suggested turning to the other leading applicants in last year’s lengthy selection process that let to Souki’s hiring. That does make sense to peruse the results of a search costing $31,250, the contract fee that went to executive search firm Bishop &Co.
Souki’s successor will be the third HCDA head selected in three years. Aedward Los Banos, the agency’s administrative services officer, stepped in on an interim basis when then-longtime director Anthony Ching retired.
In his Nov. 1 letter of resignation, Souki cited as HCDA accomplishments the amendment of
affordable-housing and park rules for the Kakaako region, which comprises 670 acres of Honolulu’s prime frontage to harbor and beach park property.
But there have been failures, too, in recent months. Continuous vandalism by homeless groups camping within some of this recreational area forced the closure of three Kakaako parks: Waterfront, Gateway and Kewalo Basin.
HCDA closed them Oct. 8 to eject 180 squatters in the wake of fires and attacks by the campers’ dogs. Additionally, and most distressingly, the homeless had tapped into utilities, and the damage to water and power lines and light fixtures was estimated at $500,000.
Gov. David Ige, who had been celebrating the work done by the state’s relatively new homeless shelter nearby, was compelled to hire private security for enforcement, ineffectively handled under HCDA.
The responsibility to solve the state’s homeless crisis surely doesn’t fall on HCDA, but the agency does have custody of facilities that need better protection.
One especially lamentable victim has been the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center, which has contended with vandalism by some from the neighboring homeless encampments. The Ohe Street attraction has dealt with the abuse for several years, a woeful outcome considering that the children’s museum was seen as a positive element in the revitalization of the waterfront area to begin with.
This problem, as well as a lingering dispute between Kewalo Harbor businesses and the hired management firm, need to be handled competently, as do all of HCDA’s oversight responsibilities.
The board signs off on projects, but the executive director and staff form the front ranks, checking to see that developers fulfill their affordable-housing and other mandates, and that rules are observed.
HCDA must maintain focus on its core objectives, guiding development to meet Oahu’s needs. That requires leadership — urgently.
