Governor erred on phased-review issue

Gov. Neil Abercrombie is wrong when he says the historic preservation phasing bill, Senate Bill 1171, brings state law “into line with federal law.”

In fact, nowhere in federal law can archaeological reviews be completed in phases “where circumstances dictate that construction be done in phases.”

Numerous federal courts have held that Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act bars the phasing of archaeological work.

The governor should hold whoever provided him with this misinformation accountable.

If, on the other hand, the governor has no interest in historic preservation, he should say so.

But he should not mislead the public as to the reasons why he does not want all archaeological work to be completed before the bulldozers start their engines.

Robert Harris
Director,  Sierra Club of Hawaii

More density in Kapolei a good idea

Frank Genadio wrote that the city should “apply the TOD experts’ concept of ‘verticality’” to the Ewa Plain and that plans now in the works for numerous transit-oriented development (TOD) high-rise buildings in Kakaako would be a better fit in Ewa (“Rail transit-oriented development better for Kapolei than Kakaako,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May 19).

We appreciate Mr. Genadio’s support of TOD, and we agree that increasing density and uses near the three rail transit stations in East Kapolei is a good idea. In fact, the city is supporting increased densities beyond what is presently built, at all station areas. However, this must be balanced with appropriate levels of densities out of respect to neighborhood conditions, and most important, what the market will be able to provide.

With these considerations, the Department of Planning and Permitting’s draft East Kapolei Neighborhood TOD Plan (2010) calls for the creation of highly walkable, diverse village centers within a quarter-mile of the three stations. Mid-rise, medium-density residential projects are in the foreseeable future, along with supporting commercial and social services, and meaningful open spaces.

George I. Atta
Director, city Department of Planning and Permitting

Protesters unfairly blocking sidewalk

On May 23, I parked my car at a metered space on the corner of Beretania and Victoria streets.

There were four tents along the sidewalk right there. They were butted up to the curb’s edge and right up next to each other.

With my car parked up to the curb, there was absolutely no access to the parking meter from the street or the sidewalk. If I had had a passenger in my car, he would not have been able to get out of the car.

I should have called the police, but I was in a hurry for a noon meeting.

These supposed “Occupy” protesters have long overstayed their welcome and are certainly not doing anything positive to gain anyone’s support.

To the contrary: They’ve become a nuisance and an eyesore. They have no right to be blocking a public sidewalk, or keeping citizens from accessing meters or getting out of their cars.

It’s time to move them out completely and permanently.

Karen Scheid
Hawaii Kai

‘Occupy’ group has important message

The main message of the 2-year-old “Occupy” movement in Hawaii, likely the only one left in the world, is the urgent importance of drawing attention to ever-larger disparities between the rich and the poor in this country — indeed, the entire world of 2013.

Through corrosive political corruption and corporate greed, a small minority of the super-wealthy are right now further consolidating more than 30 years of massive gains in wealth and influence for themselves and their friends — while almost everyone else slips closer to poverty.

Some readers of the Star-Advertiser write of “the damage done” by the poor, complaining that they are an “eyesore,” “an intrusion” and an embarrassment. One indignant citizen asks, “… isn’t two years (of protest) enough?”

My question for these folks:

Isn’t more than 30 years of stunningly vicious and relentless corporate greed and political corruption enough?

David B. Cannell
Waipahu

HCDA out of step with the community

It is past time that the state Legislature takes steps to rein in or dissolve the Hawaii Community Development Authority.

This agency is totally out of touch with the community with regards to development in Kakaako, and it completely ignores the needs of the citizens of this state.

Developer Marshall Hung has the right idea — and it is a slap in the face to all Honolulu residents to refer to his type of development as “workforce housing.” The huge response to his building projects speaks to a vast need for housing to fit this demographic in downtown Honolulu. Let’s come up with a pejorative name — “Rich Folks Homes” — for the uber-pricey luxury condominiums HCDA loves to allow in Kakaako.

Make a rule with teeth regarding percentage of “reasonably” priced units required — say 50 percent — and absolutely require the developers to provide them.

In the bigger picture, Honolulu does not need, nor will we benefit from, 650- to 700-foot towers along the waterfront; 400 feet is plenty high enough. The last straw is the plan to redevelop the Blaisdell complex with residential towers. Bad idea!

Jack Arnest
Maunalani Heights

Mayor should quit one or other post

It just doesn’t seem ethical for the mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, Kirk Caldwell, to be a member of the board of directors at Territorial Bancorp Inc.

Perhaps Mayor Caldwell should resign from one of the positions. I think, then, it will be pono.

Joyce Tsugawa
Waipahu