Star Bulletin:
Question: There is a large property in Manoa on the state's register of historic homes, but the owners pay only $494 in property taxes because the house and land are 94 percent exempt from taxes. The house is now being sold for several million dollars. Can they sell a historic home for all that money after paying so little in property taxes? Or do the owners, when they want to sell a home like this, have to remove the exemption, notify the proper authorities and pay the property taxes that would have been due from the time of the historic designation to the present?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
Timothy E. Johns Named Bishop Museum President
International Search Lands Damon Estate Exec
Honolulu, HI…Bishop Museum has named Timothy E. Johns as President, Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2007. The announcement was made today by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, David Hulihee. Johns succeeds Michael Chinaka who has been serving as Interim President since the resignation of William Y. Brown in January 2007. Chinaka will resume his duties as Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer for Bishop Museum. (Brown left the Museum to take a position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA.)
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Tim Johns as Bishop Museum’s new President, Director and CEO,” said David Hulihee, Chairman of Bishop Museum’s Board of Directors. “Tim has over two decades of leadership experience with environmental and cultural issues in Hawaii, which will serve him as the leader of Hawaii’s State museum of natural and cultural history. I couldn’t be more pleased.” Bishop Museum was founded in 1889. It maintains the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural and natural history objects and since its founding has as been a premier institution for research and public education. It is designated as Hawaii’s State Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Johns most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for the Estate of Samuel Mills Damon, a position he has held since 2000.
Prior to that, he was the Chairperson of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources. He has also served as Vice-President and General Counsel for AMFAC Property Development Corporation. He has been a Lecturer in Business Law at the University of Hawaii and Windward Community College and has held the position of Director of Land Protection with the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii. An honors graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Johns received a Bachelor’s degree in history and business economics. He also completed a Master’s degree in economics and Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California.
Johns is very active in environmental issues. His memberships include the State of Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council. A Rotarian, Johns is a member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu. “With Tim’s impressive background and experience, he will be able to provide critical links between scientists, resource managers and policymakers to advance important biodiversity conservation efforts that are the driving forces for many of our research programs,” says Allen Allison, Ph.D., Vice President of Bishop Museum’s world-renowned Science Department.
Johns serves on the Board of Directors for Grove Farm Company, Inc., Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., YMCA Honolulu, Hawaii Nature Center, St. Andrew’s Priory School, Child and Family Services, Helping Hands Hawaii, Diamond Head Theatre, and Hawaii Public Television Foundation. In June 2005, he was named a Trustee of Parker Ranch Foundation Trust.
“We are delighted the Board of Directors has chosen a candidate with a deep commitment to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture and respectful sensitivity to cultural issues. He is well known in the community and is held in high regard, and this will surely be beneficial in many ways,” said Betty Lou Kam, Vice President of Cultural Resources for Bishop Museum.
Johns was selected after a seven-month executive search by the international search organization Morris & Berger from Glendale, California. Founded in 1984, Morris and Berger is a generalist executive search firm that has developed a specialty practice serving the nonprofit sector, including performing and visual arts and institutions of higher learning. The company was named to the list of “50 Leading Search Firms in North America” in The Executive Recruiter News and also named Outstanding Executive Search Firm in John Lucht’s 1995 edition of Rites of Passage at $100,000+.
Members of the Executive Search Committee included Bishop Museum Trustee Dr. Charman J. Akina (Chairman), David C. Hulihee, Isabella A. Abbott, Ph.D., Haunani Apoliona, H. Mitchell D’Olier, Russell K. Okata, Gulab Watumull, Walter A. Dods, Jr., Allen Allison, Ph.D., and Amy Miller Marvin.Bishop Museum is world renowned for its scientific achievements and contributions. Among the many accomplishments are the following: the sequencing of DNA of Hawaiian fishes to provide a worldwide barcode of fish life; efforts in partnership with the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect and conserve the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal; the world’s 5th largest collection of insects with over 14 million specimens; the discovery of over 130 new species of frogs, lizards and snakes in Papua New Guinea as part of a National Science Foundation-funded survey; the world’s largest collection of Indo-Pacific reef and shore fishes; the natural science collections contain more the 22 million specimens and ranks among the top 5 in the United States; the Hawaii Biological Survey has produced the only complete checklist of plants and animals of any state in the Union and has documented 25,615 species; Bishop Museum was the first major museum in the United States to be connected to the Internet; Bishop Museum also has the world’s largest collection of land snails of Hawaii and the Pacific; Bishop Museum scientists are among the best in their respective fields and have published more than 100 scientific articles and books every year. Bishop Museum’s cultural collections include the world’s largest collections of barkcloth, makaloa mats, Hawaiian featherwork, and two of the only known Hawaiian feather sashes. Bishop Museum’s extraordinary collection of visual art of and about Hawaii and the Pacific focuses on art from the 18th and early 19th centuries. This collection represents a remarkable window into the past—a visual documentation of Pacific cultures at the time of first western contact and beyond and is unrivaled.
Johns will assume the top leadership position for the largest museum in the State of Hawaii in the midst of an unprecedented era of renovation and revitalization. Bishop Museum is presently undertaking a $21 million renovation of its iconic Hawaiian Hall complex with the support of world-class museum designer Ralph Appelbaum and Associates of New York. In 2005, Bishop Museum opened the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, an award-winning $17 million, 19,000-square-foot interactive science and cultural exploration center. Major traveling and cultural exhibitions are presented in the Castle Memorial Building year-round. Bishop Museum hosts nearly 400,000 visitors and students each year. Bishop Museum also administers the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook, Hawaii and the Hawaii Maritime Center in Honolulu. “I am thrilled and honored to be given the opportunity to join this wonderful institution. The Museum has long been one of Hawaii’s most important and cherished treasures. It is blessed with a wonderful staff, great board of directors, and widespread support throughout our community. This is a dream job for me, “ says Timothy E. Johns, newly named President, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bishop Museum.
For more information about the appointment of Timothy E. Johns, call (808) 847-3511 or visit http://www.bishopmuseum.org/
BISHOP MUSEUM PRESS Web Site: http://www.bishopmuseum.org/ http://www.bishopmuseum.org/
Online Press Room: http://www.bishopmuseum.org/media/press_releases.html
Honolulu, HI…Bishop Museum has named Timothy E. Johns as President, Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2007. The announcement was made today by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, David Hulihee. Johns succeeds Michael Chinaka who has been serving as Interim President since the resignation of William Y. Brown in January 2007. Chinaka will resume his duties as Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer for Bishop Museum. (Brown left the Museum to take a position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA.)
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Tim Johns as Bishop Museum’s new President, Director and CEO,” said David Hulihee, Chairman of Bishop Museum’s Board of Directors. “Tim has over two decades of leadership experience with environmental and cultural issues in Hawaii, which will serve him as the leader of Hawaii’s State museum of natural and cultural history. I couldn’t be more pleased.” Bishop Museum was founded in 1889. It maintains the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural and natural history objects and since its founding has as been a premier institution for research and public education. It is designated as Hawaii’s State Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Johns most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for the Estate of Samuel Mills Damon, a position he has held since 2000.
Prior to that, he was the Chairperson of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources. He has also served as Vice-President and General Counsel for AMFAC Property Development Corporation. He has been a Lecturer in Business Law at the University of Hawaii and Windward Community College and has held the position of Director of Land Protection with the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii. An honors graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Johns received a Bachelor’s degree in history and business economics. He also completed a Master’s degree in economics and Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California.
Johns is very active in environmental issues. His memberships include the State of Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council. A Rotarian, Johns is a member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu. “With Tim’s impressive background and experience, he will be able to provide critical links between scientists, resource managers and policymakers to advance important biodiversity conservation efforts that are the driving forces for many of our research programs,” says Allen Allison, Ph.D., Vice President of Bishop Museum’s world-renowned Science Department.
Johns serves on the Board of Directors for Grove Farm Company, Inc., Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., YMCA Honolulu, Hawaii Nature Center, St. Andrew’s Priory School, Child and Family Services, Helping Hands Hawaii, Diamond Head Theatre, and Hawaii Public Television Foundation. In June 2005, he was named a Trustee of Parker Ranch Foundation Trust.
“We are delighted the Board of Directors has chosen a candidate with a deep commitment to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture and respectful sensitivity to cultural issues. He is well known in the community and is held in high regard, and this will surely be beneficial in many ways,” said Betty Lou Kam, Vice President of Cultural Resources for Bishop Museum.
Johns was selected after a seven-month executive search by the international search organization Morris & Berger from Glendale, California. Founded in 1984, Morris and Berger is a generalist executive search firm that has developed a specialty practice serving the nonprofit sector, including performing and visual arts and institutions of higher learning. The company was named to the list of “50 Leading Search Firms in North America” in The Executive Recruiter News and also named Outstanding Executive Search Firm in John Lucht’s 1995 edition of Rites of Passage at $100,000+.
Members of the Executive Search Committee included Bishop Museum Trustee Dr. Charman J. Akina (Chairman), David C. Hulihee, Isabella A. Abbott, Ph.D., Haunani Apoliona, H. Mitchell D’Olier, Russell K. Okata, Gulab Watumull, Walter A. Dods, Jr., Allen Allison, Ph.D., and Amy Miller Marvin.Bishop Museum is world renowned for its scientific achievements and contributions. Among the many accomplishments are the following: the sequencing of DNA of Hawaiian fishes to provide a worldwide barcode of fish life; efforts in partnership with the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect and conserve the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal; the world’s 5th largest collection of insects with over 14 million specimens; the discovery of over 130 new species of frogs, lizards and snakes in Papua New Guinea as part of a National Science Foundation-funded survey; the world’s largest collection of Indo-Pacific reef and shore fishes; the natural science collections contain more the 22 million specimens and ranks among the top 5 in the United States; the Hawaii Biological Survey has produced the only complete checklist of plants and animals of any state in the Union and has documented 25,615 species; Bishop Museum was the first major museum in the United States to be connected to the Internet; Bishop Museum also has the world’s largest collection of land snails of Hawaii and the Pacific; Bishop Museum scientists are among the best in their respective fields and have published more than 100 scientific articles and books every year. Bishop Museum’s cultural collections include the world’s largest collections of barkcloth, makaloa mats, Hawaiian featherwork, and two of the only known Hawaiian feather sashes. Bishop Museum’s extraordinary collection of visual art of and about Hawaii and the Pacific focuses on art from the 18th and early 19th centuries. This collection represents a remarkable window into the past—a visual documentation of Pacific cultures at the time of first western contact and beyond and is unrivaled.
Johns will assume the top leadership position for the largest museum in the State of Hawaii in the midst of an unprecedented era of renovation and revitalization. Bishop Museum is presently undertaking a $21 million renovation of its iconic Hawaiian Hall complex with the support of world-class museum designer Ralph Appelbaum and Associates of New York. In 2005, Bishop Museum opened the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, an award-winning $17 million, 19,000-square-foot interactive science and cultural exploration center. Major traveling and cultural exhibitions are presented in the Castle Memorial Building year-round. Bishop Museum hosts nearly 400,000 visitors and students each year. Bishop Museum also administers the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook, Hawaii and the Hawaii Maritime Center in Honolulu. “I am thrilled and honored to be given the opportunity to join this wonderful institution. The Museum has long been one of Hawaii’s most important and cherished treasures. It is blessed with a wonderful staff, great board of directors, and widespread support throughout our community. This is a dream job for me, “ says Timothy E. Johns, newly named President, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bishop Museum.
For more information about the appointment of Timothy E. Johns, call (808) 847-3511 or visit http://www.bishopmuseum.org/
BISHOP MUSEUM PRESS Web Site: http://www.bishopmuseum.org/ http://www.bishopmuseum.org/
Online Press Room: http://www.bishopmuseum.org/media/press_releases.html
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Lingle picks DLNR head
The governor praises Laura H. Thielen for her passion regarding environmental issues
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
First Lady Awards $150000 to Honolulu for Preserve America Grant
First Lady Awards $150000 to Honolulu for Preserve America Grant
Hawaii Reporter
Hawaii Reporter
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Time to intervene in historic office mess
From the Honolulu Advertiser:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jul/03/op/FP707030301.html/?print=on
By its inaction with the now clearly dysfunctional State Historic Preservation Division, the Lingle administration is treading dangerously close to a precipice. The state is at risk of failing at its missions to protect historic resources and provide sensible oversight for development planned throughout the Islands.
A story in today's paper by Advertiser Big Island writer Kevin Dayton illustrates that the operation of that agency has become nothing short of irrational.
The staffing shortages at Historic Preservation, a division of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, have been longstanding and well documented. Some patience was warranted when problems first came to light a few years ago, but the time for patience has run out.
The current situation — a shortage of state archaeologists, which has created a backlog of more than 300 pending building permits and caused overdue archaeological reports on historic sites — demands intervention.
Perhaps calling it a "shortage" is misleading. O'ahu already lacks its archaeologist, so with the resignation of the lead archaeologist for Maui and Hawai'i counties, the remaining staff is unable to handle the workload. And with that work already sitting in mile-high stacks, the situation has reached crisis stage.
With the untenable delays for permit-seekers and burials protection being handled haphazardly, the state is vulnerable to legal challenges.
A separate but equally alarming symptom has been the sudden decision by division chief Melanie Chinen to order burials on the Victoria Ward Village Shops project to be left in place. State burial law allows for such restrictions, but the time to have issued them was at the start of site work, not now.
Dissatisfaction at the division and with Chinen's leadership surfaced publicly at the reconfirmation hearing of former DLNR chief Peter Young. Some may argue that Young bore some responsibility for the division's failure, but even those who support the Senate's decision to replace him can't argue that his departure solved the Historic Preservation issue.
The state cannot uphold its duty to the public by letting this division limp along. Chinen needs either to be replaced or overseen by managers who can marshal the help needed to set this sinking vessel right again. The last thing anyone wants to see is the needless loss of Hawai'i's historic resources.
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jul/03/op/FP707030301.html/?print=on
By its inaction with the now clearly dysfunctional State Historic Preservation Division, the Lingle administration is treading dangerously close to a precipice. The state is at risk of failing at its missions to protect historic resources and provide sensible oversight for development planned throughout the Islands.
A story in today's paper by Advertiser Big Island writer Kevin Dayton illustrates that the operation of that agency has become nothing short of irrational.
The staffing shortages at Historic Preservation, a division of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, have been longstanding and well documented. Some patience was warranted when problems first came to light a few years ago, but the time for patience has run out.
The current situation — a shortage of state archaeologists, which has created a backlog of more than 300 pending building permits and caused overdue archaeological reports on historic sites — demands intervention.
Perhaps calling it a "shortage" is misleading. O'ahu already lacks its archaeologist, so with the resignation of the lead archaeologist for Maui and Hawai'i counties, the remaining staff is unable to handle the workload. And with that work already sitting in mile-high stacks, the situation has reached crisis stage.
With the untenable delays for permit-seekers and burials protection being handled haphazardly, the state is vulnerable to legal challenges.
A separate but equally alarming symptom has been the sudden decision by division chief Melanie Chinen to order burials on the Victoria Ward Village Shops project to be left in place. State burial law allows for such restrictions, but the time to have issued them was at the start of site work, not now.
Dissatisfaction at the division and with Chinen's leadership surfaced publicly at the reconfirmation hearing of former DLNR chief Peter Young. Some may argue that Young bore some responsibility for the division's failure, but even those who support the Senate's decision to replace him can't argue that his departure solved the Historic Preservation issue.
The state cannot uphold its duty to the public by letting this division limp along. Chinen needs either to be replaced or overseen by managers who can marshal the help needed to set this sinking vessel right again. The last thing anyone wants to see is the needless loss of Hawai'i's historic resources.
Permit backlog slows Hawaii construction
By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
The state Historic Preservation Division has become a bottleneck that delays construction projects on Maui and the Big Island, sometimes for years, according to developers.
Hundreds of development-related permits have not been processed on the two islands because the division no longer has the staff necessary to handle the workload, according to a resignation letter from a key archaeologist with the agency.
Melissa A. Kirkendall, lead archaeologist for Maui, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe and the Big Island, resigned Saturday, leaving one state archaeologist on Maui, none on the Big Island and none on O'ahu to review archaeological studies needed to process grading permits for new developments.
"It takes forever" to get permits, said Stanford Carr, president and chief executive officer of Stanford Carr Development LLC. Carr estimated it took two years to complete the required archaeological studies and obtain the necessary Historic Preservation Division approvals for his company's Kaloko Heights subdivision in Kona on the Big Island.
Historic Preservation is the state agency that reviews development plans to ensure that historic, cultural and burial sites are protected. The agency reviews all development plans, including proposals for golf courses, hotels, condominiums and housing subdivisions. It also scrutinizes grubbing and grading permits, along with some building permits.
Kirkendall said in her resignation letter that about 100 archaeological reports are overdue for review.
The letter, addressed to colleagues, said the problems within the Historic Preservation Division are now so severe they prevent professional staff there from meeting their "ethical obligations" to both preserve historic sites and serve the public.
Melanie Chinen, administrator of the state Historic Preservation Division, said through a spokeswoman that she had not seen Kirkendall's letter to her colleagues, and therefore could not respond to it.
"Dr. Kirkendall has offered her resignation. We have not received any information from her regarding concerns she may have over the division's operations beyond her desire that the public education component of historic preservation be expanded," Chinen said in a written statement.
"The division is processing applications to hire several new archaeologists and looks forward to their coming on board in the near future," Chinen wrote. "Staff are committed to working to fulfill the obligations of the department."
Carr said the delays in getting permits processed by the division are the worst he has seen, but said there also are backlogs in obtaining building permits from county agencies.
"I know that it takes a long time to get things through, but it's just the nature of the beast because everybody is in line," Carr said. "It's the worst we've been through, but I think it's just because you've got a lot more activity or applications going in than ever before."
Bruce McClure, director of the Department of Public Works for the Big Island, said county officials are familiar with the long waits for state Historic Preservation approvals because the county has been waiting as well. The county is seeking Historic Preservation approval for three projects to repair damage from the Oct. 15 earthquakes.
"We're aware that they're real slow in coming back, just from our own experience," he said.
'IT'S BEEN VERY SLOW'
A spokeswoman for county Public Works said the department has been waiting since early April for Historic Preservation approvals for about $1.3 million in repairs to Napo'opo'o Road; to three damaged areas of Mamalahoa Highway in Kona; and to a pedestrian overpass on Palani Road.
"It's been very slow," McClure said. "Even before, when they were better staffed, some things were slow."
McClure said the county recently suggested changes that might help ease Historic Preservation's workload, but hasn't yet heard back from the agency.
Kirkendall would not comment further on the Historic Preservation Division or to discuss her letter, other than to say she did not intend that it be circulated to the general public.
Kirkendall's resignation is the latest in a string of departures of professional staff from Historic Preservation that has alarmed Hawaiians and private archaeologists. Critics worry that without proper staffing, archaeological sites and Native Hawaiian burials may be destroyed in Hawai'i's ongoing development boom.
Private archaeologists also expressed concerns about staff vacancies in the Historic Preservation Division, which is part of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Kirkendall said in her resignation letter there are already more than 227 permits pending for the Big Island alone, and at least 100 more are pending on Maui.
At the same time, reviews by the state Historic Preservation Division are overdue for another 100 archaeological reports for Maui and Big Island sites that were produced by private archaeological consultants, Kirkendall wrote. Those reports are usually prepared on behalf of developers, with state archaeologists tasked with reviewing the work to make sure it is complete and accurate.
A NEED FOR BALANCE
When backlogs build up and the agency is late in reviewing building, subdivision and other permits, "I believe we have violated our ethical obligation to the public trust," Kirkendall wrote.
"Likewise, if we are cursory in our review of these permits, our ethical obligation to the historic properties ... and to the descendants of the creators of the historic properties, has been violated."
Chinen, administrator of the Historic Preservation Division, has said publicly the agency has become more efficient and is keeping up with its workload, but Kirkendall said in her letter the agency has not been able to keep up.
"They have got to find some qualified people to fill those positions, and the Big Island situation from a historic preservation point of view is a crisis now," said Tom Dye, president of the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology.
If Kirkendall is correct that there are hundreds of permits and reports backlogged, "pretty soon, people are just going to go ahead and develop regardless of whether there are historic sites on their properties or not," Dye said.Advertiser reporter Derrick DePledge contributed to this report.
Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
The state Historic Preservation Division has become a bottleneck that delays construction projects on Maui and the Big Island, sometimes for years, according to developers.
Hundreds of development-related permits have not been processed on the two islands because the division no longer has the staff necessary to handle the workload, according to a resignation letter from a key archaeologist with the agency.
Melissa A. Kirkendall, lead archaeologist for Maui, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe and the Big Island, resigned Saturday, leaving one state archaeologist on Maui, none on the Big Island and none on O'ahu to review archaeological studies needed to process grading permits for new developments.
"It takes forever" to get permits, said Stanford Carr, president and chief executive officer of Stanford Carr Development LLC. Carr estimated it took two years to complete the required archaeological studies and obtain the necessary Historic Preservation Division approvals for his company's Kaloko Heights subdivision in Kona on the Big Island.
Historic Preservation is the state agency that reviews development plans to ensure that historic, cultural and burial sites are protected. The agency reviews all development plans, including proposals for golf courses, hotels, condominiums and housing subdivisions. It also scrutinizes grubbing and grading permits, along with some building permits.
Kirkendall said in her resignation letter that about 100 archaeological reports are overdue for review.
The letter, addressed to colleagues, said the problems within the Historic Preservation Division are now so severe they prevent professional staff there from meeting their "ethical obligations" to both preserve historic sites and serve the public.
Melanie Chinen, administrator of the state Historic Preservation Division, said through a spokeswoman that she had not seen Kirkendall's letter to her colleagues, and therefore could not respond to it.
"Dr. Kirkendall has offered her resignation. We have not received any information from her regarding concerns she may have over the division's operations beyond her desire that the public education component of historic preservation be expanded," Chinen said in a written statement.
"The division is processing applications to hire several new archaeologists and looks forward to their coming on board in the near future," Chinen wrote. "Staff are committed to working to fulfill the obligations of the department."
Carr said the delays in getting permits processed by the division are the worst he has seen, but said there also are backlogs in obtaining building permits from county agencies.
"I know that it takes a long time to get things through, but it's just the nature of the beast because everybody is in line," Carr said. "It's the worst we've been through, but I think it's just because you've got a lot more activity or applications going in than ever before."
Bruce McClure, director of the Department of Public Works for the Big Island, said county officials are familiar with the long waits for state Historic Preservation approvals because the county has been waiting as well. The county is seeking Historic Preservation approval for three projects to repair damage from the Oct. 15 earthquakes.
"We're aware that they're real slow in coming back, just from our own experience," he said.
'IT'S BEEN VERY SLOW'
A spokeswoman for county Public Works said the department has been waiting since early April for Historic Preservation approvals for about $1.3 million in repairs to Napo'opo'o Road; to three damaged areas of Mamalahoa Highway in Kona; and to a pedestrian overpass on Palani Road.
"It's been very slow," McClure said. "Even before, when they were better staffed, some things were slow."
McClure said the county recently suggested changes that might help ease Historic Preservation's workload, but hasn't yet heard back from the agency.
Kirkendall would not comment further on the Historic Preservation Division or to discuss her letter, other than to say she did not intend that it be circulated to the general public.
Kirkendall's resignation is the latest in a string of departures of professional staff from Historic Preservation that has alarmed Hawaiians and private archaeologists. Critics worry that without proper staffing, archaeological sites and Native Hawaiian burials may be destroyed in Hawai'i's ongoing development boom.
Private archaeologists also expressed concerns about staff vacancies in the Historic Preservation Division, which is part of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Kirkendall said in her resignation letter there are already more than 227 permits pending for the Big Island alone, and at least 100 more are pending on Maui.
At the same time, reviews by the state Historic Preservation Division are overdue for another 100 archaeological reports for Maui and Big Island sites that were produced by private archaeological consultants, Kirkendall wrote. Those reports are usually prepared on behalf of developers, with state archaeologists tasked with reviewing the work to make sure it is complete and accurate.
A NEED FOR BALANCE
When backlogs build up and the agency is late in reviewing building, subdivision and other permits, "I believe we have violated our ethical obligation to the public trust," Kirkendall wrote.
"Likewise, if we are cursory in our review of these permits, our ethical obligation to the historic properties ... and to the descendants of the creators of the historic properties, has been violated."
Chinen, administrator of the Historic Preservation Division, has said publicly the agency has become more efficient and is keeping up with its workload, but Kirkendall said in her letter the agency has not been able to keep up.
"They have got to find some qualified people to fill those positions, and the Big Island situation from a historic preservation point of view is a crisis now," said Tom Dye, president of the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology.
If Kirkendall is correct that there are hundreds of permits and reports backlogged, "pretty soon, people are just going to go ahead and develop regardless of whether there are historic sites on their properties or not," Dye said.Advertiser reporter Derrick DePledge contributed to this report.
Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Kamehameha acquires Varsity Theatre site
Pacific Business News (Honolulu) - 11:34 AM HAST Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Kamehameha Schools is acquiring the Varsity Theatre site in Moiliili in a land exchange that gives Robertson Properties Group the trust's old Kamehameha Drive-In property in Aiea.
The deal, announced Wednesday, gives Hawaii's largest private landowner the deed to the 1.7-acre Varsity property on University Avenue, which includes the Varsity Office Building, in exchange for the property at the corner of Moanalua Road and Kaonohi Street near Pearlridge Center and an undisclosed cash payment.
Los Angeles-based Robertson Properties Group is owned by Pacific Theatres parent Decurion. Pacific Theatres owns Consolidated Theatres and the Varsity Theatre.
"Consolidated's decision to close the Varsity provided us with an opportunity to acquire a strategically valuable piece of property," Kirk Belsby, vice president for endowment for Kamehameha Schools, said in a statement.
"It strengthens our ties with the university community and with Moiliili business and residential communities, and it strengthens our ability to support our educational programs and services."
Robertson plans to redevelop the Aiea site and will come up with a master plan in the coming months, said John Manavian, vice president of development for Robertson Properties Group.
Kamehameha Schools plans to upgrade the Moiliili area, which includes Puck's Alley, in the next few years, said Tara Young, senior commercial asset manager for Kamehameha Schools.
"The Varsity property adds even greater synergy to our options and opportunities in Moiliili," she said.
Robertson Properties Group recently completed the renovation of the former Waikiki Theatre site on Kalakaua Avenue, now called the Center of Waikiki, and is currently developing a shopping mall called Pearl City Gateway on the city's former Manana land in Pearl City.
"Oahu is one of our core target markets where we are actively developing and acquiring land," Manavian said. "It also is a challenging market but we are well-positioned to move quickly and pursue opportunities where we can bring new uses to older properties and reposition them to better serve Oahu residents."
Kamehameha Schools is acquiring the Varsity Theatre site in Moiliili in a land exchange that gives Robertson Properties Group the trust's old Kamehameha Drive-In property in Aiea.
The deal, announced Wednesday, gives Hawaii's largest private landowner the deed to the 1.7-acre Varsity property on University Avenue, which includes the Varsity Office Building, in exchange for the property at the corner of Moanalua Road and Kaonohi Street near Pearlridge Center and an undisclosed cash payment.
Los Angeles-based Robertson Properties Group is owned by Pacific Theatres parent Decurion. Pacific Theatres owns Consolidated Theatres and the Varsity Theatre.
"Consolidated's decision to close the Varsity provided us with an opportunity to acquire a strategically valuable piece of property," Kirk Belsby, vice president for endowment for Kamehameha Schools, said in a statement.
"It strengthens our ties with the university community and with Moiliili business and residential communities, and it strengthens our ability to support our educational programs and services."
Robertson plans to redevelop the Aiea site and will come up with a master plan in the coming months, said John Manavian, vice president of development for Robertson Properties Group.
Kamehameha Schools plans to upgrade the Moiliili area, which includes Puck's Alley, in the next few years, said Tara Young, senior commercial asset manager for Kamehameha Schools.
"The Varsity property adds even greater synergy to our options and opportunities in Moiliili," she said.
Robertson Properties Group recently completed the renovation of the former Waikiki Theatre site on Kalakaua Avenue, now called the Center of Waikiki, and is currently developing a shopping mall called Pearl City Gateway on the city's former Manana land in Pearl City.
"Oahu is one of our core target markets where we are actively developing and acquiring land," Manavian said. "It also is a challenging market but we are well-positioned to move quickly and pursue opportunities where we can bring new uses to older properties and reposition them to better serve Oahu residents."
Monday, June 25, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
BLNR Approves Projects for Legacy Land Conservation Program Funding
BLNR Approves Projects for Legacy Land Conservation Program Funding
HONOLULU - The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) granted $4.7 million Friday June 9 for state, county and nonprofit land acquisition projects to protect Hawai‘i’s valuable resource lands through the new Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP).
The LLCP (Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, Chapter 173A) will convey funding from the State Land Conservation Fund to two state agencies, three nonprofits and Hawai‘i County for the acquisition and permanent protection of lands having cultural, archeological and natural resource values.
“I’m very pleased that this year we are able to preserve and protect such a wide range of resources for Hawai‘i’s future generations,” stated Allan Smith, Interim Chairperson of the BLNR.
The newly-initiated Legacy Land Conservation Commission – a nine-member commission composed of cultural, agricultural and natural resource experts and representatives from each county – advised the BLNR on this year’s project selections.
“Virtually every one of the proposals we received was viewed by the Commission as significant lands with resources that merited protection. This was a tough choice, but we’re proud to have played a role in it,” stated Commission Chair Dale Bonar.
The following are summaries of the approved projects:
The Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), Department of Land and Natural Resources: $430,250 for the acquisition of the 1,335.98-acre Carlsmith property near Hilo, on the Big Island, for the conservation of native forest and habitat.
The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG): $1,500,000 for the acquisition of 169.87 acres in Honomđele, Hana, on Maui, for the conservation of native hala forest and cultural resources.
The Cave Conservancy of Hawai‘i: $154,000 for the acquisition of 9 acres in Kula Kai View Estates, on the Big Island, for the conservation of cave tunnels and cultural resources.
The Kona Historical Society: $301,000 for the acquisition of the 5.536-acre Uchida Farm, in Kealakekua, on the Big Island, for the preservation of agricultural and historical resources.
Hawai‘i County: $1,214,750 for the acquisition of 234.293 in Ka‘u, near Kawa‘a Bay, on the Big Island, for the preservation of natural and cultural resources.
The Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), Department of Agriculture: $1,100,000, for the acquisition of an agricultural easement on 108.217 acres of land in Kunia, on O‘ahu, from the Hawai‘i Agricultural Research Center (HARC), for the perpetual preservation of prime agricultural land.
LLCP projects are also subject to a consultation process with the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives and the approval of the Governor. Funding for projects that protect lands having value as a resource to the state will be available through the Legacy Land Conservation Program on an annual basis.
For more information on the Legacy Land Conservation Program please call (808) 586-0921.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Molly Schmidt
LLCP Program Coordinator
Phone: 808-586-0921
Molly.e.schmidt@hawaii.gov
HONOLULU - The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) granted $4.7 million Friday June 9 for state, county and nonprofit land acquisition projects to protect Hawai‘i’s valuable resource lands through the new Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP).
The LLCP (Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, Chapter 173A) will convey funding from the State Land Conservation Fund to two state agencies, three nonprofits and Hawai‘i County for the acquisition and permanent protection of lands having cultural, archeological and natural resource values.
“I’m very pleased that this year we are able to preserve and protect such a wide range of resources for Hawai‘i’s future generations,” stated Allan Smith, Interim Chairperson of the BLNR.
The newly-initiated Legacy Land Conservation Commission – a nine-member commission composed of cultural, agricultural and natural resource experts and representatives from each county – advised the BLNR on this year’s project selections.
“Virtually every one of the proposals we received was viewed by the Commission as significant lands with resources that merited protection. This was a tough choice, but we’re proud to have played a role in it,” stated Commission Chair Dale Bonar.
The following are summaries of the approved projects:
The Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), Department of Land and Natural Resources: $430,250 for the acquisition of the 1,335.98-acre Carlsmith property near Hilo, on the Big Island, for the conservation of native forest and habitat.
The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG): $1,500,000 for the acquisition of 169.87 acres in Honomđele, Hana, on Maui, for the conservation of native hala forest and cultural resources.
The Cave Conservancy of Hawai‘i: $154,000 for the acquisition of 9 acres in Kula Kai View Estates, on the Big Island, for the conservation of cave tunnels and cultural resources.
The Kona Historical Society: $301,000 for the acquisition of the 5.536-acre Uchida Farm, in Kealakekua, on the Big Island, for the preservation of agricultural and historical resources.
Hawai‘i County: $1,214,750 for the acquisition of 234.293 in Ka‘u, near Kawa‘a Bay, on the Big Island, for the preservation of natural and cultural resources.
The Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), Department of Agriculture: $1,100,000, for the acquisition of an agricultural easement on 108.217 acres of land in Kunia, on O‘ahu, from the Hawai‘i Agricultural Research Center (HARC), for the perpetual preservation of prime agricultural land.
LLCP projects are also subject to a consultation process with the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives and the approval of the Governor. Funding for projects that protect lands having value as a resource to the state will be available through the Legacy Land Conservation Program on an annual basis.
For more information on the Legacy Land Conservation Program please call (808) 586-0921.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Molly Schmidt
LLCP Program Coordinator
Phone: 808-586-0921
Molly.e.schmidt@hawaii.gov
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
National Trust's 20th list of America's most endangered historic places
America's priceless heritage is at risk—from the storied waterfront of Brooklyn to the neon-clad mom-and-pop motels of Route 66—some of America's most irreplaceable landmarks are threatened.
"The sites on this year's list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places embody the diversity and complexity of America's story, and the variety of threats that endanger it," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "The places on this year's list span the continent and encompass the breadth of the American experience. Each one is enormously important to our understanding of who we are as a nation and a people."
"The sites on this year's list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places embody the diversity and complexity of America's story, and the variety of threats that endanger it," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "The places on this year's list span the continent and encompass the breadth of the American experience. Each one is enormously important to our understanding of who we are as a nation and a people."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)