Save Our Kaka‘ako Movement

(5/2005 – 7/2006)

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Friends of Kewalos was able to rally the People to form the Save our Kaka‘ako Coalition to stop the sale of Public land to build luxury high rise residential condos in Kaka‘ako Makai.

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Coalition Members included:

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• Save Our Surf(SOS)

• Hawaii State Bodysurfing Association

• Hui O He’e Nalu (Da Hui)

• Hui O Malama O Kaka‘ako Makai Paka

• Kaka‘ako Business and Landowners Association

• Ala Moana/Kaka‘ako Neighborhood Board

• Surfrider Foundation, Oahu Chapter

• Kewalo Boaters Association

• Sierra Club, Oahu Chapter

• Life of the Land

• Kaka‘ako Shoreline Park Plan

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Through numerous rallies, a March to the Capitol, meeting with Governor Lingle, and tons of oral and written testimonies at the 2006 Legislative session, the Red Shirts (that is what we were known as) were able to convince the Legislators unanimously except for one vote, to pass into law, HB 2555, which states: 

 

No Selling of Public Land and No building of Residential in Kaka‘ako Makai (land makai of Ala Moana Blvd, between Kewalo Basin Harbor and Pier 2).

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This landmark legislation was the end to the luxury high rise condos. This last public ocean front land in urban Honolulu was saved.

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This was truly a grassroots, People Power victory. It is an experience that will never be forgotten.   

 

Mahalo to all who were part of it.  Power of the People is alive and well!

 

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Representation on the Kaka‘ako Makai Community Planning Advisory Council (CPAC)

2007 -2011

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In 2006, the Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 30) as a result of the public outcry in the Save Our Kaka‘ako movement. HCR 30 requested the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) to convene a working group to engage stakeholders, especially the ones that surfaced during the controversy to meaningfully participate in the development, acceptance, and implementation of any future plans for the development of KM(which includes Kewalos). 

 

Friends have been part of the CPAC since its creation in May of 2007. Through countless meetings and workshops we represented the interests of our mission. It is very critical that we keep tabs on the development of the whole of KM.  Whatever is built there will impact us at Kewalos.

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Ron Iwami, President of Friends of Kewalos, was a former Chairman and Vice Chairman of CPAC. He continues on the council to represent Friends interests.

 

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Working with Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA)

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HCDA is the State Agency that oversees Kewalo Basin Park and all of KM. Throughout the years, Friends has developed a good collaborative working relationship with HCDA to resolve any concerns.

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In 2010, we worked closely with them on the recently completed Park renovations which included new tables, promenade, shower, trellis pavillion,  and stairways to the water.

 

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Saint Marianne Cope Bronze Statue Bronze Statue

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Friends worked collaboratively with Sister William Marie Eleniki and the Sisters of St. Francis to erect a 6-foot-tall bronze statue of Mother Marianne Cope in 2010, on the grassy knoll as you enter the park.

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The statue honors Mother Marianne Cope who came to Hawaii in 1883 at the request of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani to care for Hansen’s disease patients, initially at the Kaka’ako Branch Hospital. In her spare time, Mother Marianne would go to the shoreline of the Kewalo area and fish and relax just as we do today. She spent the last 30 years of her life on Kalaupapa, Molokai, earning the title of “beloved mother of outcasts.” On October 21, 2012, Blessed Marianne was canonized a Saint at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. She is Hawaii’s second and only the 11th American saint.

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Please say hello to Sister Eleniki as she polishes the statue and trims the grass around it.

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We are all blessed by Saint Marianne watching over Kewalos.

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Kaka'ako Makai (KM) Master Plan

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The KM Conceptual Master Plan with its accompanying Vision Statement and 14 guiding principles was approved by HCDA in May 2011 after four years of collaboration between the community, CPAC, and HCDA. 

 

Friends of Kewalos played an integral role in the development of this plan.

 

This important plan will be the basis for all future development in KM. 

 

In a nutshell, KM shall be a “People’s Gathering Place”. The highlight component of the plan is the Shoreline Promenade which would extend along the entire shoreline to Honolulu Harbor which will enable the public to walk,run, or bike from Magic Island to Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park.

 

The plan does not show any residential development. 

 

Please go to: www.hcdaweb.org  for the other components of the plan.