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."
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
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