Category Archives: Hawaii Technology

February 13, 2012

Mamalahoa Highway Resurfacing Project Update

By Aaron Stene

Grace Pacific was the lowest bidder for the Mamalahoa Highway resurfacing project between Makalei and Palani Junction. This project is slated to begin six months after bid opening.

Race Randle, the development manager for the Kamakana Villages project, provided this construction update:

“We are nearing the final stretch before starting construction on Phase 1A of Kamakana Villages. Goodfellow Bros. and SSFM are doing soil testing in order to finalize plans for the phase 1 Roadway. Our hope is to begin construction of the roadway in the first half of this year.”

The manager, who is overseeing the Palani Road water transmission project, provided this update regarding the incomplete fencing around the new Palani Road water tank.

“Last we left it the expected finish was at the end of this month but since nothing really seems to have happened yet, I don’t know that the contractor will meet that deadline. I have been trying to get better information and will let you know if I do.”

KAHEA recently posted a commentary regarding the recent Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals Mauna Kea CMP ruling. KAHEA claims the mainstream media incorrectly spun it. However, they did exactly the same thing. For example, KAHEA asserts the ICA’s decision prohibits UH/DLNR from enacting the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan.

I’ve read the ICA’s opinion several times and never saw any mention about this. In addition, KAHEA claims it doesn’t affect the Thirty Meter Telescope project. I strongly disagree with their opinion. Judge Glenn Hara ordered the University of Hawaii/DLNR to enact a comprehensive management plan for Mauna Kea
in 2006. The TMT project would be dead in the water unless this management plan was enacted.

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

January 24, 2012

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company Baseyard Update

By Aaron Stene

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company has nearly vacated their Kealakehe Parkway baseyard. The project manager, who is overseeing this closure, provided this update on their progress:

“Things are progressing as we work to move out by the end of the month. The silt fences may have to remain in place a little longer until we can have the State inspect the area and give us the OK for removal. A monthly inspection on the silt fences by HDOT normally occurs within the first week of each month. We will also be making arrangements to remove the concrete blocks, equipment and concrete barriers.”

The parties involved recent Hokuli’a/AMIC/Hawaii County settlement are still drafting and finalizing this agreement. The Court imposed a January 31st deadline to cross the t’s and dot the i’s, so it’s likely they may need more time.

There is no new updates regarding the condemnation of the Coupe parcel. The Court already granted the order of possession to Hawaii County though. The county is still in discussions with the Smith/Whitakers to acquire part of their land for this roadway.

Lastly, prospective bids for the Kaiminani Drive roadway improvements solicitation will be opened on February 16th, 2012.

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

January 12, 2012

Makalei Fire Station Project Update

By Aaron Stene

One of the county’s SMTP servers, which is outsourced to Pacific Pro-Tech, was red flagged as an originator of spam. This prevented anyone working for the county from e-mailing me between January 3rd and January 11th, 2012.

The manager, who is overseeing the Makalei Fire Station project, ran into this problem. He tried e-mailing me twice during this time, but his e-mails weren’t delivered until Tuesday.

This is the latest construction update for this important public safety facility:

“Work is progressing quite well, we’ve since gotten approvals from both HELCO and DWS for their utilities and been following up w/ Cable and Hawaiian Telcom on their utilities (need to get a pole relocated in the new driveway). Building interior work (drywall, plumbing, AC and electrical) are all progressing along. Waterline work down to the highway is almost completed and contractor is meeting w/ State Highways to do trenching work on the highway. Landscaping work has just started with temporary irrigation lines being installed and tree excavation starting.”

Kamuela attorney Margaret Wille has announced her intentions to run for Councilman Pete Hoffmann’s District 9 seat. I’m happy she decided to run. She’ll add much-needed perspective and intelligence to the council, if elected.

Lastly, Hawaiian Telcom still faces a lot of challenges despite successfully exiting Chapter 11 bankruptcy. For starters, their aging last mile infrastructure needs to be improved, if they want to remain a viable competitor to Oceanic Time Warner Cable.

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

December 26, 2011

Hawaii DOT Advertised Latest Mamalahoa Highway Resurfacing Project

By Aaron Stene

The HDOT advertised the Mamalahoa Highway resurfacing project (between Makalei and Palani Junction) on Friday. Construction is slated to begin six months after bid opening .

Senator Green assured attendees of his Thursday talk story meeting that Hawaii County’s share of the Transient Accommodations Tax won’t be cut in 2012.

I recently spoke to the manager, who is overseeing the Palani Water Transmission project. He told me the fencing material  arrived at CTS’s baseyard on December 16th. This material will be used to complete fence around the new Palani Road water tank. I’m planning on following up with him this week to get an update.

The HDOT director gave an update on several other transportation projects in West Hawaii at Senator Green’s talk story meeting on Thursday.

Queen Kaahumanu Highway improvements at Kiholo Bay is slated to be completed by March 16th, 2012

Queen Kaahumanu Highway intersection improvements at Kawaihae Road will be advertised by December 2012.

Lastly, the Kona side Saddle Road segment is scheduled to be paved beginning in December 2012. Kirkland Construction has up to 19 months to complete the earthwork for this phase. Nevertheless, I doubt they’ll get it done within the DOT’s estimated time frame.

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

December 19, 2011

Goodfellow Brothers Suing Aina Le’a LLC

By Aaron Stene

Goodfellow Brothers filed a lawsuit against Aina Le’a LLC, etc on November 15th, 2011. They constructed the incomplete backbone infrastructure for The Villages at Aina Le’a project. DW Aina Le’a Development LLC, which is affiliated with Aina Le’a LLC and is one of the defendants in this lawsuit, owes Goodfellow Brothers at least 1.64 million dollars for work rendered. I haven’t seen Goodfellow’s complaint, but it wouldn’t surprise me they’re trying to get them to pay up.

Aina Le’a apparently stopped paying Goodfellow a share of each investment made by Asian investors, according to this West Hawaii Today article.

These Asian investors, who bought a share of these condominium units, will be the ultimate losers. They likely won’t see a return on their investment despite being promised a 30% return over thirty months.

Lastly, Judge Strance issued a surprise ruling on Friday reversing the LUC’s land classification reversion of the Aina Le’a development and remanding it back to the State Land Use Commission.

This ruling was totally unexpected. I didn’t expect her to issue it so soon. Ho’ohiki stated oral arguments were scheduled to start on December 16th, 2011. In addition, she denied DW Aina Le’a Development’s motion to delay the LUC reclassification on September 26th, 2011.

This ruling will likely affect the outcome of Bridge Aina Le’a LLC’s December 19th, 2011 Court hearing in Federal Court. The judge is slated to hear the state’s motion requesting the Court dismiss Bridge’s lawsuit. In addition, it likely strengthens Bridge Aina Le’a LLC’s 35.7 million dollar claim against the State LUC.

I don’t necessarily agree Judge Strance made the right decision. Aina Le’a deliberately failed to abide by the LUC’s imposed conditions and haven’t paid their contractors in a timely manner.

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

December 12, 2011

Saddle Road Project Update

By Aaron Stene

I’ve repeatedly e-mailed Oceanic Time Warner Cable asking if they resolved the speed issues with their 15Mbps and higher tiers. They apparently have, according to the person who recently called from Oceanic. In addition, I would need to get a separate cable modem, if I wanted to upgrade to the 30Mbps or 50Mbps tiers. The cable modem/eMTA that I have is only DOCSIS 2.0 compatible. The higher speeds require a DOCSIS 3.0 compatible cable modem.

Kirkland Construction may import construction workers from the mainland for the next Saddle Road phase. Nevertheless, Edwin DeLuz Trucking & Gravel LLC, a local company, was contracted to haul water to the project site to minimize dust and for fire protection. They will be hauling water to both sides of the project throughout the day starting in January.

The future of the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, which is located on Mauna Kea, appears to be bright.

The new Kona Int’l Airport air traffic control tower is slated to be operational by December 2012.

Lastly, I really appreciate all the positive reader feedback regarding my blogging. Please continue to e-mail me your thoughts.

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

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