Council moves The City Council is moving forward with a bill that would allow the city to condemn properties on behalf of Outrigger Enterprises, despite an attempt by Gov. Ben Cayetano to block such action on the state level.
to help Outrigger
A 5-3 vote advances
Haleiwa drive-throughs advance
a bill that would let the city
condemn key Waikiki parcelsBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comThe Council voted 5-3 yesterday to support the bill. Members Duke Bainum, John DeSoto and Steve Holmes were opposed. A final vote is scheduled for Feb. 20.
At issue is Outrigger's $300 million plan to redevelop the Lewers Street section of Waikiki. While it has the fee interest on most of the land in that area, Outrigger has been unable to reach an agreement with the controlling interests in four other properties that it leases.
The city has powers allowing it to condemn properties for the public good. Mayor Jeremy Harris and others believe improvements in the area would attract visitors and spur other development in Hawaii's most popular tourist destination.
But Cayetano, echoing the sentiments of others opposed to the condemnation, said Outrigger is gaining an unfair advantage in what should be a business negotiation between two private business interests.
A bill Cayetano submitted to the state Legislature would limit the condemnation powers of the city and the three other counties to acquiring private properties for public purposes and uses that are defined specifically in state statutes.
Council Policy Chairman Romy Cachola said he wishes Cayetano had spoken to him before floating his bill in the Legislature.
Cachola said the threat of condemnation has simply brought all parties to the table.
Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura concurred.
"I believe the city's actions have encouraged the parties to negotiate, and I continue to believe the city ultimately will not have to condemn that property, that a compromise will be created," he said.
There appeared to be some indication that the stalemate between Outrigger and its landowners could end amicably.
A representative for the owner of a fifth property said her clients had reached an agreement with the hotel chain.
Outrigger Vice President Mel Kaneshige and attorney Robert Klein, who represents the owners of the four properties, said they are close to settlement.
"We're making a lot of progress," Kaneshige said.
"We're hopeful we can work things out," Klein said.
But when DeSoto asked Kaneshige if Outrigger would oppose deferring a final vote, the hotel executive said, "We would not be in favor of any further delay."
Both Kaneshige and Klein declined to comment on Cayetano's action at the state level.
City & County of Honolulu
Two different plans to allow drive-through businesses in Haleiwa town have cleared an initial vote of the City Council despite opposition from area residents and businesses. Haleiwa drive-throughs
pass initial Council voteMore than a dozen area residents
spoke against the measuresBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comPassage of either bill would likely end a long-standing controversy involving a drive-through window at the Haleiwa McDonald's.
Drive-through windows currently are not allowed in the Haleiwa Special Design District, which places tighter land use regulations to preserve the area's cultural, natural and historical attributes.
One bill, offered by the city Department of Planning & Permitting, would allow drive-through operations under a conditional use permit process at businesses in the Haleiwa Special Design District no less than 2,000 feet from each other.
A separate measure, according to bill author Councilwoman Rene Mansho, would allow one drive-through at either end of the special design district.
More than a dozen Haleiwa residents testified in opposition to any drive-throughs.
"Drive-throughs would change the old-time character of Haleiwa," resident Meryl Anderson said, noting that the district guidelines are meant to reflect a time before drive-throughs.
The bills now go to the Council Zoning Committee.
City & County of Honolulu
