Monthly Archives: August 2011

August 30, 2011

HOVE Well Facility Update

By Aaron Stene

The contractor constructing the stalled Hualalai Vistas channelized intersection project provided this update:

“Aaron,

We are still working on completing the geotechnical report. The geotechnical engineer is awaiting our traffic and erosion control plan.”

I called up Kirkland Construction of Colorado last Thursday (they never replied to several e-mail inquiries). I asked if they could provide project updates after they start work. The lady I spoke to assured me someone would call me back (I’m still waiting for a callback).

Road and Highway Builders LLC graciously provided these updates for the current phase between m.m 11 and m.m 19. However, it feels like I’ve hit a brick wall with this upcoming phase. Dave Gedeon, the CFLHD Saddle Road project manager, said I could e-mail him general project questions, but he would be unable to provide project updates. So, I’ll likely get it from the HDOT. They promised to provide project updates every two months.

Sites C and G are the best locations for the proposed Kona Judiciary complex. The intersection between Kealakehe Parkway and Ane Keohokalole Highway will likely be signalized. Both of these sites could use this intersection instead of having to add another traffic signal on Kealakehe Parkway. In addition, the State Judiciary complex would be centrally located across or next to the West Hawaii Civic Center.

The future HOVE well facility has encountered yet another snag (The Ka’u Calender elaborates a bit more about the specific issues). Nevertheless, I hope these issues are not show stoppers and don’t significantly delay the completion of this much-needed facility.

Related item: Work stopped on Hawaiian Ocean View Estates well

Hawaii’s dependence on the military, tourism, agriculture, and construction is not sustainable and have poor long term growth prospects. This comment succinctly summarizes Hawaii’s economic dilemma:

“Rogers also warned that the state would not “break barriers” in agriculture, tourism, construction and the military.

“These are industries are not poised to grow,” he said. “The only industry we have that can really grow is Internet-based industry speed in the nation, and if we have the highest broadband speed in the nation, we will be the next Silicon Valley — right here in Hawaii. And we will be the ones who have made it happen.”

Lastly, I wish more people would comment or drop me an e-mail about my blog postings. This blog gets approximately 200 daily page views. So, I should get more feedback.

1 comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Technology, Hawaii Transportation

August 29, 2011

Thirty Meter Telescope Update

By Aaron Stene

I received this update from Oceanic Time Warner Cable‘s V.P of Operations confirming the recent inconsistent Road Runner speeds.

“Aaron, I checked with the Big Island folks and there are some issues on the node that feeds you along with several others on the Big Island. We are working on both infrastructure fixes as well as software. I will update you as things move along.”

Incidentally, Oceanic recently rolled out a new Road Runner speed tier, 50Mbps/5Mbps.

The ongoing Thirty Meter Telescope Contested Case Hearings should be wrapped up by September 26th, 2011. This whole process has turned in a circus sideshow. One petitioner claimed their child could speak for Mo’oinanea, a Hawaiian God. In addition, an expert witness asserted the Thirty Meter Telescope project “is a textbook case of 21st-century colonialism.”

Tourism, construction, real estate, and the military, the existing backbones of our local economy,  is unsustainable over the long term. So, we need to make a strong push to diversify our economy. However, the anti-telescope opponents would rather see more service industry jobs (e.g Target) created instead of supporting the TMT.

I don’t believe we’ll see widespread 1Gbps Internet access by 2018 in Hawaii. Hawaiian Telcom’s aging last mile copper loop facilities has to be upgraded to fiber and Oceanic Time Warner Cable needs to provide the service they promised before this goal can be realized.

Lastly, the significant drop in building permits from 2006 to 2011 is absolutely staggering. Hawaii County processed building permits valued at 60 million dollars a month in 2006. That figure dropped to around two million dollars thus far in 2011.

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

August 26, 2011

Cooper Investment Partners Withdraws Offer To Buy Hokuli’a

By Aaron Stene

Cooper Investment Partners withdrew their letter of intent to purchase the Hokuli’a project ten days ago, according to multiple anonymous sources. Lloyds Banking Group is actively seeking interested investors to buy this development.

I’m not surprised they decided to back out. The project faces a myriad of lawsuits. In addition, Cooper Investments would be responsible for paying for Hokulia’s stiff encumbrances. These issues likely played a large role in their decision to withdraw.

Road and Highway Builders LLC has paved another 1.25 miles of roadway (between m.m 11-m.m 19 on Saddle Road) since August 1st. They’ve paved about 7.25 out of 8 miles (RHB still needs to lay the final layer of asphalt on some of the new roadway though).

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company provided this update regarding the status their Kealakehe Parkway baseyard.

“The crushing phase of the work is done. We are testing the newly crushed material for compliance with State specification, which is the final step before completing the sale.

I had to move my 3 man crew to our bridge project in Paauilo to assist us in getting back on schedule. The crew should be done just before Labor Day. The crew will then work on preparing an area at our Hamakua base yard to where the crushing equipment will be stored. We expect to be back onsite by September 12th to begin dismantling the crusher. It normally takes about 5 working days to prepare the equipment for travel.”

Hawaii County filed their brief in opposition to the Coupes Hokuli’a bypass USSCT cert petition on August 17th, 2011. The justices will review this petition at their September 26th, 2011 conference hearing. The Court will grant a writ of certiorari if four (out of nine justices) agree to hear this case.

Lastly, Honolulu Civil Beat published an excellent commentary about the public’s right to film police officers while on duty. I completely concur with the Civil Beat’s take on this. The public has every right to do this- from a safe distance.

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

August 25, 2011

Kirkland Construction Awarded Latest Saddle Road Phase

By Aaron Stene

The CFLHD awarded Kirkland Construction L.L.L.P. of Colorado the next phase of the Saddle Road improvement project on August 22nd, 2011. Kirkland is slated to complete 9.6 miles of earthwork (Schedule B, Option X) over two years stating in October. The earthwork phase precedes the paving of this future roadway (between m.m 41 on Saddle Road and m.m 14 on Mamalahoa Highway). The latter solicitation will be advertised at a later date.

“Hello Aaron,

We awarded Schedule B and Option X to Kirkland Construction, LLLP, in the amount of $33,772,860.00 yesterday. You can find the award on FedBizOps.”

Leave a comment   |  tags: , | posted in Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Transportation

August 24, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

By Aaron Stene

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , | posted in Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Transportation

August 23, 2011

Makalei Fire Station Project Update

By Aaron Stene

Hawaii’s dependence on foreign oil needs to be reduced. Biofuels could be an option, albeit an expensive one. I believe it will likely take a mix of power sources, geothermal, wind and solar to reduce our oil consumption.

We can’t sit idly by and assume oil supplies will last forever.

The project manager overseeing the Makalei Fire Station project provided this construction update:

“Project is progressing quite well. Concrete foundations have completed for the dormitory, hose tower and apparatus bay. 1 endwall section of the apparatus bay has been poured with the north end scheduled for this Thursday. Contractor has been forming up the pre-cast wall panels and will be getting this poured within the next week or so.”

Lastly, the Hawaii County Corporation Counsel office responded to my inquiry about the status of the land condemnation for the La’aloa Avenue Extension.

“I am in the process of drafting a resolution for condemnation for one of the parcels. I am waiting for some final engineering data to complete that resolution. For the other necessary parcels, negotiations for purchase are on-going.”

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

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