It appears that the owners of the Island Vortex Recording Studio have decided to sell the facility. This doesn’t bode well for their plans to provide live over the Internet coverage of community issues via Big Island Live. This website shows how the interior of the studio looks. I think it is a steal that they are only asking $350,000 for it.
This is the latest news regarding the ongoing renovation of the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
“The ballroom, pre-function, lobby and “Paddler” coffee shop are the first phase. We will complete the entire ground floor renovation (from the restaurant to the ballroom) in eleven weeks.
The lobby / registration desk has been temporarily relocated to the “interior breezeway” or “soccer field” as the employee’s call it.
Ownership intends to fill all the vacant retail spaces. ABC store is expanding.
One of the towers is completed. The second will be completed by April. The renovated rooms look great. All new finishes, furniture… even flat screen TV’s.”
The final results from my poll asking “Should O’oma Be Protected From Development showed that 78% of the respondents support the protection of this environmentally sensitive area. I’ve posted a petition here for individuals who also want to protect this area.
This is an additional list of reasons why O’oma should remain classified conservation.
“Why should O`oma II keep its protective State Conservation classification?
Coastal Conservation land on Hawai`i Island is vanishing. The natural and cultural resources of O`oma II deserve the highest degree of protection.
There’s no need for so-called “improvements” at O`oma. A postage-stamp size park and private, so-called urban “conservation” space are not what’s needed at O`oma. Private development will limit public access and kill other long-term community benefits which already exist at O`oma as long as it’s left in its natural condition.
Class AA waters like those off the O`oma coast must be protected.
No more development should be approved until infrastructure catches up to existing development.
There’s no quarantee that current development plans are anything more than a way to upzone the land for speculative purposes.
There’s no guranatee that the proposed plan will be economically sustainable.
This is not a “takings” issue. The landowners knew what they could do with Conservation land when they bought it. Building a city on it wasn’t one of them.
Expanding international airport activity poses physical and economic threats.
No need to buy Open Space if Conservation classification remains intact.
It makes economic sense to maintain O`oma’s Conservation status. Many businesses depend upon maintaining a healthy, natural marine environment.
Surfing’s popularity is soaring, yet safe, clean, water and uncrowded surf breaks are becoming victims of overcrowding and polluted runoff.
Cultural and archeological resources at O`oma II must be appropriately protected and/or made accessible, depending upon their nature.
O`oma was listed as one of the top five places by the Hawai`i County Open Space Commission to be acquired as public, open space .
Kona doesn’t need more low-paying or temporary construction jobs. A sustainable economy is what’s needed to protect Hawai`i’s natural, cultural and social resources.
The O`oma proposal Is just another developer-generated plan pretends to have followed Kona Community Development Plan protocol.
Coastal O`oma has been the flash point of two monumental community land use victories in the last two decades. Why do we have to fight, again, to protect O`oma?”
This is the latest update regarding the ongoing reconstruction of Saddle Road between m.m 11 and m.m 19:
“Things are good up on the Saddle Road. The large rock excavation is on schedule and is actually going easier than we had thought (so far no explosives needed). We have brought some additional heavy equipment to help should we run into some very difficult rock. The rock crusher is up and running at the quarry which is also very important. Anticipation and looking forward is key.”
Lastly, I also found out why the construction of a channelized intersection above Hualalai Vistas has stopped. It is my understanding the HDOT asked Isemoto to stop work due to concerns raised by the property owners on the mauka side of the project. I’m going to try to find out more information regarding how long this project will be delayed.
