Tag Archives: Goodfellow Brothers

February 9, 2012

Queen Kaahumanu Highway Widening Project Update

By Aaron Stene

I heard through a reliable source the Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening project was delayed until August 2012. This decision was apparently  made after a recent stakeholders meeting. Dan Meisenzahl, the HDOT’s Chief of Communications, couldn’t confirm this rumor when I called him last week. However, he sent me an e-mail two days ago out of the blue stating the HDOT is shooting to start construction by September 2012. This date may be pushed up, if the ongoing Section 106 consultations is completed sooner. In addition, the federal funding for this project is still secure despite these delays, according to Mr. Meisenzahl.

This latest revelation doesn’t surprise me. Nevertheless, I think the DOT could’ve handled this better. The HDOT Highways Director promised there wouldn’t be any further delays at Senator Green’s Talk Story meeting in December 2012.

This roadway project has faced all sorts of problems from contested bid awards and archaeological issues. I believe they could’ve been addressed if the HDOT did a supplemental EA before this project was awarded to Goodfellow Brothers.

1 comment   |  tags: , | posted in Hawaii Transportation

January 9, 2012

La’aloa Avenue Extension Project Update

By Aaron Stene

I spoke to assistant Corporation Counsel Katherine Garson, who is overseeing the La’aloa Avenue extension condemnations, last week. The second condemnation lawsuit hasn’t been filed yet. She is still compiling documentation, such as a certified copy of the resolution and an affidavit from DPW Director Warren Lee. This has be completed before the second condemnation lawsuit can be initiated.

The Makalei Fire Station project continues to move forward. Maryl KPRS Hawaii Joint Venture anticipates this facility will be completed by late summer. I tried e-mailing the manager overseeing construction last week. However, he likely didn’t respond to my e-mails because of the holidays. I hope he’ll provide a detailed overview of the progress this week.

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company is slated to begin removing the remaining fill material from their Kealakehe Parkway baseyard today. It will take about two weeks to move the material up to West Hawaii Concrete’s facility. In addition, they expect the baseyard will be cleared by the end of January.

I spoke the project manager, who is overseeing the closure of this baseyard, last week. He told me they received a lot of hateful e-mails regarding this eyesore. This is totally unacceptable behavior. These e-mails are an annoyance and won’t expedite this process.

Lastly, the First Circuit Court is slated to hear Goodfellow Brothers motion against DW Aina Le’a Development LLC on February 15th, 2012 in Honolulu. Goodfellow is seeking a preliminary injunction barring DW Aina Le’a Development, etc from disavowing three contracts, which designate how much they receive from each condo unit.

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

December 29, 2011

Ane Keohokalole Highway Project Update

By Aaron Stene

Nan’s concrete subcontractor completed the second segment of concrete pavement on the Ka’u side of Palani Road on Wednesday. The concrete has to cure for up to 14 days. Then they’ll start on the next phase, which entails rerouting traffic to the new Ka’u bound lanes, demolishing the Kohala side lanes and pouring additional cement.

Nan is slated to begin concrete paving between the Henry Street intersection and the West Hawaii Civic Center starting on January 9th, 2012.

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

“I just spoke to our inspector earlier today and he said the contractor still hasn’t procured the materials for the fencing, despite what we were told would happen a couple of weeks ago. Also, the contractor’s foreman was unable to tell our inspector when the owner will be purchasing the fence materials. I’ll check with the contractor again let you know what they say.”

The Villages at Aina Le’a‘s Facebook page admin summarily deleted three comments I recently posted. I stated the project still faces two outstanding lawsuits (Goodfellow Brothers and Mauna Lani Resort Association). Goodfellow is seeking reimbursement for unpaid construction work and Mauna Lani Resort Association is trying to invalidate the project’s FEIS. Nevertheless, these facts were pushed under rug, so the focus was directed on their recent legal victory.

I strongly believe the State of Hawaii should appeal Judge Strance’s ruling, which turned the Land Use Commission into a paper tiger. This decision curtailed the commission’s ability to hold developers accountable if they don’t comply with all conditions and promises.

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

December 23, 2011

Queen Kaahumanu Highway Widening Project Delayed Again

By Aaron Stene

I attended Senator Josh Green’s talk story meeting on Thursday night. Glenn Okimoto, the Hawaii Department of Transportation Director, provided updates on several West Hawaii transportation projects. The delayed Queen Kaahumanu Highway phase II widening project elicited the most questions. They hoped to begin construction in January 2012. However, the DOT has pushed this date back to April 2012.

The archaeological issues raised by several Native Hawaiian Organizations caused this latest delay. I don’t hold ill will against these individuals for doing this. The HDOT should’ve addressed these issues before the project was awarded.

I e-mailed Isaac Harp yesterday to get an update regarding the NHO’s concerns, but I haven’t heard back from him yet.

These delays won’t impact the project’s funding. The HDOT already obligated funds for these improvements, so there isn’t any chance it will expire.

I didn’t get any advanced warning from my HDOT contacts regarding this latest delay. The consultations with the Native Hawaiian Organizations are ongoing, so there is no firm start date, per the last update from one of my contacts. Nevertheless, they really want to authorize Goodfellow Brothers to start work on the northern segment (Kona Int’l Airport to Hina-Lani Drive) soon.

2 comments   |  tags: , | posted in 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

November 1, 2011

Sports Authority Opening A Hilo Store

By Aaron Stene

Sports Authority is slated to open a new Hilo store in 2012, according to this Maui News article:

“Hawaii, with its year-round outdoor possibilities, is a good place for Sports Authority, and Arita said two more outlets will open next year, in Hilo and a fourth store on Oahu.”

The Price Kuhio Plaza general manager confirmed Sports Authority will be opening a store there.

“Aloha Aaron,

A formal announcement from GGP and TSA should be coming out shortly. Will fwd to you.

Thanks!”

The old Woolworth’s and the Safeway locations at Prince Kuhio are available for Sports Authority to lease.

Councilman Yagong wants to redirect ten million dollars from the 56 million dollar bond float to help improve our parks and put unemployed construction workers back to work. Mr. Yagong’s proposal is simply political posturing. He strongly opposed the bond float because the funding was not tied to a specific project. Nevertheless, he wants to reallocate funding to different projects now. In addition, Mr. Yagong wants to restrict these projects to local construction companies. This likely won’t pass legal muster. The county can’t arbitrarily reject bids from off island contractors.

The Hawaii Supreme Court denied Mauna Kea Anaina Hou’s petition on October 27th, 2011. The Third Circuit Court denied Mauna Kea Anaina Hou’s request that defendant University of Hawaii pay their attorney fees. Mauna Kea Anaina Hou subsequently appealed Judge Hara’s ruling to the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals and ultimately petitioned the Hawaii Supreme Court.

Lastly, representatives from HDOT and Goodfellow Brothers recently held a pre-construction Queen Kaahumanu widening public information meeting.

I thought the meeting wasn’t properly managed. The individuals from the HDOT weren’t able to address questions from the public completely. For example, there were a slew of questions asking why is the Kaloko-Honokohau National Park intersection signalized, but the NELHA intersection isn’t. I got so fed up, so I spoke up and explained the background behind this decision. Lanihau Properties agreed to relocate the entrance to its development. This would preserve a segment of the Mamalahoa Trail. The HDOT would design and pay for intersection improvements in exchange.

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

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 465 other followers