The Villages At Aina Le’a Project May Turn Into The Next Hokuli’a

I was shocked to read that Brennon Morioka, the current state HDOT director, will be leaving his post on September 23rd, 2010. Mr. Morioka has been very helpful addressing my roadway concerns or questions over the years. So, I was able build a very strong rapport with him from the time he was a deputy HDOT director. In addition, he usually quickly responded to my e-mails which I really appreciated. He will be sorely missed.

The FCC approved Hawaiian Telcom’s bankruptcy reorganization on Wednesday. The unexpected withdrawal of the DOJ, DHS, and FBI’s request to defer this petition on September 3rd, 2010 likely helped speed this process. The next step is obtaining Hawaii PUC approval which may or may not happen before September 30th, 2010.

(Related item: FCC Press Release)

The Parker Ranch Connector Road public use resolution was not agendized for the September 21st, 2010 council meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for October 6th, 2010.

Hawaii County may start soliciting bids for the future Makalei Fire Station later this year. I’d bet this project may be put out to bid sooner. The completion of the NEPA EA process is the last step before this much needed project can be advertised.

From the project engineer:

“I have received confirmation that the FONSI was signed and we are now required to publish it in the newspapers. Once that is completed, you are correct in that we can then put the project to bid.”

The Ane Keohokalole Highway project is in the news again. WHT points out the FY2011-2014 STIP doesn’t include the future phases of this roadway.

I think that is a bit much to ask during these tough economic times. In addition, there isn’t a current need to build the Hina- Lani Street to Kaiminani Drive segment  (the roadway maps at the EA public meeting about a year ago showed this phase won’t be constructed until 2028). However, the county should aggressively seek funding to complete the Hina-Lani Street to Kealakehe Parkway roadway segment. This would give residents living north of Hina-Lani Street a bona fide alternative route in Kailua-Kona if Palani Road is closed due to an accident.

The cost of phase I and IA was incorrectly stated again. Hawaii County received 35 million dollars in federal stimulus funding to construct this roadway. Nan Inc. bid 29.9 million to construct the roadway from Henry Street to Kealakehe Parkway and do the mass grading between the latter and Hina-Lani Street. The leftover funding was reallocated towards reconstructing Palani Road and a ADA compliance project up in Kamuela.

CTS Earthmoving Inc. started grubbing on the south side of Palani Road above the fire station today. CTS anticipates working in this area for approximately the next two months. So, please drive cautiously through this area.

There is a lot of similarities between The Villages at Aina Le’a and Hokuli’a projects. For starters, both developments were built on agriculture land. The similarities don’t end there. Judge Ibarra ruled that Hokuli’a was an illegal use of agriculture land. The State LUC may  revert The Villages at Aina Lea’s land classification back to agriculture. This decision likely will result in protracted litigation, like in the Hokuli’a case.

DW Aina Le’a Development LLC has made a significant investment in this project. The latter would become worthless if the LUC changes the project’s land classification.

The Hawaii County Council will hold a second reading on Bill 287 during their next council meeting on September 21th, 2010. This legislation appropriates $100,000 to design (and survey) the resurfacing of Kaiminani Drive (if its included in the final FY2011-2014 STIP)

This is the latest court filings regarding Hawaii County’s lawsuit against 1250 Oceanside Partners and American Motorist Insurance Company.

The Mamalahoa (Hokuli’a) bypass debacle has gotten more complicated. American Motorists Insurance Company appears to be on very tenuous financial footing. The Illinois Department of Insurance has monitored their operations since 2003. In addition, they are in “runoff” mode.This means they’ll honor existing policies, but will not write any new ones.

(Related item: Mamalahoa (Hokuli’a) bypass bonds)

On a related note, Hawaii County is expecting the Hawaii Supreme Court to rule on Charles and Joan Coupe’s appeal by late 2010/early 2011.

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company is slowly vacating their Kealakehe Parkway baseyard. Nevertheless, the HDOT should’ve forced HDCC to
vacate this area sooner. The piles of fill material and unused equipment has been a huge eyesore. On top of that, HDCC has ignored all of my e-mails asking when they were planning to vacate this area.

Lastly, I regret missing an excellent Kona Town Meeting regarding the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. However, I was too exhausted from working all day to go.