Monthly Archives: April 2011

April 29, 2011

The Villages At Aina Le’a Project Update

By Aaron Stene

CTS Earthmoving won’t start utility conduit trenching across Palani Road during the second week in May. The county rejected Nan/CTS’s traffic control plans for this work. So, they have to revise their plans. However, a few days later the county indicated they may reconsider their  decision. I asked the project manager to keep me apprised if the county does indeed change their mind. He also promised to e-mail me a copy of these plans.

The State LUC e-mailed me a copy of the final land classification reversion decision & order for The Villages at Aina Le’a development. This boondoggle project is quickly turning into another Hokuli’a fiasco. So, I believe, the county, state, and developer will be embroiled in litigation for the foreseeable future.

The project manager overseeing the Makalei Fire Station project e-mailed me this update:

“DPW conducted the pre-construction meeting yesterday with the General and sub-contractors. Basically discussing and clarifying requirements of the contract. NTP is being issued today April 28, 2011 and the project is expected to be completed in August 2012. Surveying was already being done yesterday and with the NTP being issued today, the contractor was planning to mobilize equipment to the site today to begin the site work.”

Forest City released an update on their proposed Kamakana Villages development.

Lastly, the Kona Blog survey is slated to end on May 5th, 2011. I’ve received a lot of good comments and suggestions. However, I’d like to respond to two comments which criticized this blog:

“administrator needs to articulate their opinion with more facts, background and logic before stating an opinion or the opinion becomes just shallow reactionary opinion.”

“The opinion pieces of your blog have to be more clearly and concisely written so as to weave the subject manner with your opinion of them in a stronger way. Your opinion and writings are not strong enough while at the same time you don’t back your arguments with any and enough facts, background or clear logic.”

I spend hours at end researching and searching for corroborating information to support my arguments. This recent letter to the editor is a case in point. So, I don’t know what else I could do to satisfy these perfectionists.

2 comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Technology, Hawaii Transportation

April 28, 2011

Go Daddy Won’t Remove The Renegade Kona Blog Website

By Aaron Stene

I’ve tried to e-mail Go Daddy regarding an issue with a particular website. They won’t help unless they receive a Court issued subpoena. I can’t afford to hire an attorney. So, my options are pretty limited. I’m leaning towards waiting for the domain registration to expire and attempt to buy the domain then.

The individual (or individuals) who did this obviously have an axe to grind. However, they’d rather drag my reputation into the mud instead of challenging me head on. For example, they took a photograph of me working, but avoided confronting me at the same time. This shows he/she lack balls and any maturity whatsoever.

I encourage whoever is behind this website to drop me an e-mail explaining why they did this to me.

8 comments   |  tags: | posted in General

April 28, 2011

Makalei Fire Station Update

By Aaron Stene

This is the latest Court filings regarding O’oma Beachside Village’s lawsuit against the State Land Use Commission.

Lastly, the manager overseeing the Makalei Fire Station project e-mailed me this update:

“The consultants submitted the revised submittals to the State DOT last week and the initial feedback is that it would take 7-10 days for the review and we hope that we’d be receiving the permit soon. This only impacts construction within the State DOT right-of-way (the shoulder area of the highway) so in the mean time the contractor is planning to access through the current established roadway that is there.

We are planning a preconstruction meeting with the contractor this week Wednesday and we’re anticipating issuing the Notice To Proceed within a few days of the meeting. Maryl is hoping to begin site work soon after the NTP is issued.”

Leave a comment   |  tags: , | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Politics

April 27, 2011

Boeing Conducting Additional 747-8 Engine Testing At Kona Int’l Airport

By Aaron Stene

Boeing’s new 747-8 aircraft is back at Kona Int’l Airport. Boeing is likely testing the 747-8′s new engines in a warm weather climate again.  This is the second time they’ve conducted testing on the 747-8 here since March.

1 comment   |  tags: , | posted in Hawaii Transportation

April 26, 2011

Lalamilo Connector Road Update

By Aaron Stene

The Makalei to Palani Junction segment of the Mamalahoa Highway resurfacing project is slated to be advertised in August.

Jas Glover hasn’t started resurfacing work on the Kaupulehu to Makalei segment of Mamalahoa Highway yet. The HDOT is trying to coordinate this project with the other ongoing work in this area. So, it won’t begin until the latter is finalized.

Margaret Wille decided not to appeal Judge Strance’s unfavorable Lalamilo roadway reservation easement ruling. Hawaii County no longer deems the completion of the Lalamilo Connector Road as important. This revelation played an important role in her decision not to appeal.

I’m very disappointed with the county’s indecisiveness. This roadway is desperately needed to mitigate traffic congestion at the Lindsey Road intersection.

The State LUC finalized the Aina Le’a land classification reversion D&O  last Thursday. I’m very pleased by the LUC’s action. DW Aina Le’a Development LLC and Bridge Aina Le’a LLC failed to comply with previously agreed conditions, have insufficient funding, and failed to pay contractors for work rendered.

For example, I found this mechanics lien Court filing involving  DW Aina Le’a Development and one of their contractors, True Style Pacific Builders LLC.

Related item:

Aina Lea — Apartments on ag land may pose problems

The new Kona Blog survey is still active until April 29th, 2011. The results of this survey will be used to help improve this blog.

Lastly, I regret not buying the The Kona Blog domain. Someone with an axe to grind bought it instead. The owner of the domain  posted a picture of me at my workplace among other things.

The website appears to be new as it didn’t come up any previous searches of my name. Nevertheless, this person violated my privacy by going to my workplace and taking a photograph of me. I’m at a loss as what to do.

4 comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Technology, Hawaii Transportation

April 25, 2011

Update On Hawaiian Dredging’s Kealakehe Parkway Baseyard

By Aaron Stene

I recently spoke to Hawaiian Dredging about their inactive Kealakehe Parkway baseyard. They were supposed to start removing fill material by late April. Nevertheless, HDCC hasn’t started work yet. So, I followed up to find out why.

West Hawaii Concrete is trying to reduce their existing inventory. However, the severe downturn in the construction industry has hampered their efforts. So, WHC is holding off buying additional fill material. HDCC decided to use this material for their ongoing Hamakua bridge project as a result of WHC’s decision.

“The deal with West Hawaii did not materialize. We are planning to use the material as structural backfill at the Kawailii Bridge project starting in late June 2011. At that time, we plan to man the crusher to process the remaining stockpiles. More material will be drawn in September to complete the restoration of the temporary by-pass road for Kawailii Bridge.”

HDCC’s inaction in this matter is unacceptable. There is no reason this material should be stored at this location for the last two years. Queen Kaahumanu Phase I widening was completed about 2 years ago. Nevertheless, this eyesore  remains.

I’ve e-mailed the HDOT, my representatives and senator regarding this issue. In addition, I’m planning to call up the HDOT this week urging them to take swift action on this matter.

1 comment   |  tags: , | posted in Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Transportation

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