Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 10, 1 October 2013 — HCDA Part 1 -- HCDA is not a good neighbor [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HCDA Part 1 -- HCDA is not a good neighbor

/A no'ai kakou... /\ In 2012, when OHA received its /^^^ Kakaako lands / \in our settlement with the state over past-due ceded land revenues, OHA was not appraised that the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA), whieh has jurisdiction over development in the area, planned to lease the harbor in Kakaako for 50 years to a California-based

marina operator and increase the boats slips to 243. For the past year, OHA has been negotiating with the HCDA to get them to compromise on their plans to put "finger piers" in front of our Fisherman's Wharf property. On Aug. 5, 2013, OHA received a letter from HCDA stating they will not make any compromises to their plans and expects OHA to be a "good neighbor" and accept their plan for our property. Here are some of the speciflc eoncerns I have with the HCDA's Aug. 5, 2013, letter: • HCDA considers OHA a "sister agency" but they are forcing OHA to accept a plan in whieh we have no opportunity for providing input. If HCDA wants OHA to be a "good neighbor," they should flrst recognize OHA as an equal partner in developing the harbor area in front of Fisherman's Wharf. • OHA would be willing to go along with the HCDA's finger pier plan if we could have at least two slips in front of our Fisherman's Wharf property. However, the HCDA responded that the lands of Kewalo Basin are submerged lands and the state is unahle to convey fee simple interests in any of the slips. The HCDA needs to realize that all submerged lands are "ceded" and that Native Hawaiians are a part-benefi-ciary under the state Constitution. The Kakaako lands conveyed to OHA are on submerged lands - it's all landfill. It appears the HCDA doesn't have a true understanding of Native Hawaiian rights and who OHA represents.

• The HCDA said they are concerned about the views of our community. If this were true, they would agree with OHA's plans to minimize the impact of large boats docking in front of our property and allow OHA to design its own culturally appropriate sense of plaee that would be acceptable for everyone. When OHA conducted community meetings regarding the Kakaako

land acquisition, the community was supportive in strong part due to OH A' s commitment to develop the area using Hawaiian concepts and sense of plaee. Next steps OHA must continue to object to the current flnger piers design and not fall victim to HCDA's threats. If HCDA goes forward with signing any lease, OHA should consider suing the HCDA. OHA should also appeal to the state Legislature to revisit the powers it has given to HCDA and, if necessary, start a community-based campaign to reform the HCDA and prevent any further irresponsible development. HCDA doesn't appear to understand true Hawaiian values and the desires of the broader community regarding Kakaako. All they seem interested in is making the most money they ean out of Kewalo Basin - with or without OHA. If HCDA is really concerned about getting the maximum dollars for Kakaako, they would not be leasing the whole harbor to a mainland developer for 50 years for only $45 million. This measly flgure is criminal! The state will lose out as well as OHA beneficiaries. So who is really benefiting from this deal? Time to ask questions of the HCDA and the state! Aloha Ke Akua.H Interested in Hawaiian issues and OHA ? Please visit my website at www. rowenaakana.org for more information or e-mail me at rowenaa@oha.org.

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