Points for OPPOSING Resolution 20-021

Resolution 20-21 calls for Granting the Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit for improvements at Ala Moana Park and Magic Island, as described in the Final EIS, accepted on August 12, 2019, which includes the playground.  Department Communication 33 (D-33), lists the playground in the SMA Permit Use recommendation.  By approving the SMA permit, the playground can be built at any time in the future without any further input from the public.   

At a press conference on December 13, 2019 in Kaka`ako park, Alana Kobayashi representing Pa`ani Kākou, sponsor of the one-acre playground, and Mayor Caldwell affirmed that the playground will not be in Ala Moana and will be moved to Kaka`ako. This was documented by several TV stations and newspapers, along with a press release from Pa`ani Kakou.  The playground may have intentionally been omitted in the Resolution language so people might think the playground is out of the SMA permit.  The SMA must to be amended to reflect this change–no one-acre playground in Ala Moana Park.

The February 6th Zoning Committee Agenda includes links to D-33 so it is possible to read the director’s report and D-58, the transcript of the Dec. 17th hearing (although the testimony on may contain inaccuracies based on the transcriber’s deciphering of the tapes). What is not included in the Director’s report (D-33) is any written testimony.  It was “summarized” by the department but they missed mentioning some very important points.  I am told that DPP has them in a file but decided not to include them because “too much information” that might be ignored.  Council members need to request to see them.  It’s not clear if the general public can ask for access. 

If you submitted written testimony for the December 17th hearing, please resend it as testimony for Res. 20-21 (modified as needed, i.e. the date, the Resolution number, etc.) so your comments will be on public record that can be seen by the Council members and others who research comments submitted for this.

The Council has 60 calendar days after receipt of DPP’s Findings and Recommendations (see D-33, second paragraph of cover page) to take action.  It may also be extended beyond this time, if the council asks for an extension in a timely manner.  The date stamp for D-33 was January 21, 2020 and the later transcript of the December 17 meeting, D-58, was date stamped by the clerk on January 27, 2020.  Therefore, the deadline for action by the council is not until March 27, 2020. There is a full council meeting on March 18, within the 60 days for action deadline, but the council could also ask for an extension.  Urge Zoning Committee Chair Menor to kill Resolution 20-21 or hold it in committee to allow for more time to make amendments. Another Zoning Committee meeting is already scheduled for February 27, 2020.

If you’d like to write new testimony or add to your previous one, the following is a brief list of our OPPOSITIONS that was emailed earlier to our SAMBP newslist”

Now is the best time to work on testimony for submission to the committee(s) that will have hearings on 20-021. This is the very best opportunity to:

1. remove the playground from the SMA
2. stop or modify the perpendicular parking
3. stop the dog park at Ala Moana Beach Park (the City is working on other parks on land)
4. stop or modify the sand/beach replenishment plan
5. stop or modify the magic island parking lot reconfiguration to save the center area green lawn
6. protect the historical elements of the park
7. protect the trees
8. stop spending taxpayer dollars on unnecessary projects in Ala Moana Park and Magic Island

Keep in mind that with all of your help, we have WON some battles of worth, like:

1. stopped the parking structure
2. stopped the keyhole area entertainment concessions
3. stopped removal of the makai-side parking
4. stopped the wide promenade
5. stopped removal of makai-side grassy areas
6. stopped building of the over-the-water board walk on ala wai side of magic island parking lot

Keep watching our TAKE ACTION NOW page for the latest updates https://savealamoanabeachpark.org/take-action/ 

Watch for updates on our website: https://savealamaoanbeachpark.org