Tag Archives: Hualalai Vistas

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

June 21, 2011

Update On Hualalai Vistas Channelized Intersection

By Aaron Stene

I asked my HDOT engineering contact why can’t the speed limit above the Hualalai Vistas subdivision be reduced instead of constructing a channelized intersection. He e-mailed me this reply:

“DOT did not reduce the speed limit from 45 MPH to 35 MPH because it is not a good general practice to reduce the highway’s speed limit to meet a development’s needs. Instead, we expect the development to bear the responsibility of mitigating its impacts on the highway (and the general commuting public) by installing such things as left-turn lanes.”

The HDOT may be forced to reduce the speed limit though. The developer’s geotechnical expert has to assess the stability of the nearby rock facing before construction can resume. So, there isn’t any guarantee this channelized intersection will ever be completed.

I recently switched from HDMI back to component cabling between my HDTV and the Scientific Atlanta 4250HDC set top box. The HD television signal would disconnect (and take longer to load) though HDMI instead of component cabling. However, the picture was much more crisper via HDMI though.

Stephens Media‘s battle against bloggers recently hit a major roadblock. A federal judge ruled Righthaven LLC didn’t have legal standing to sue on behalf of Stephens Media. This is a significant decision. It’ll likely force Stephens Media to defend their copyrights instead of hiring outside mercenaries to do the job.

Lastly, Hawaiian Telcom’s executive team got paid like kings over the past two years while staff reductions and service cutbacks continue. The excessive executive compensation isn’t fair to the front line employees or Hawaiian Telcom’s long term financial health.

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

June 14, 2011

Hualalai Vistas Channelized Intersection Improvement Project Update

By Aaron Stene

My DLNR-OCCL contact finally e-mailed me back regarding the TMT CDUP contested case hearing process. The pre-hearing was held on May 13th, 2011. The hearing transcript was 84 pages long as far as I understand.

The hearing officer determined six out of seven individuals wishing to intervene had standing. In addition, he scheduled the next round of hearings for August 15th through the 18th (and possibly on August 25th).

Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Hawaii County’s Planning Director, responded to my e-mail regarding her recent comments about the State Land Use Commission. However, she asked me not to post her reply on my blog. I have mixed feelings about complying with her request. Her response would’ve clarified what she really meant.

The Kona Air Traffic Control Tower project is still on schedule. Nordic/PCL Construction completed the landscaping and paving already.

The incomplete Mamalahoa Highway intersection improvements above the Hualalai Vistas subdivision is turning into a real debacle. The developer is blaming the HDOT and the surrounding neighbors for this mess. However, the hui of neighbors is equally frustrated with the developer and the HDOT.

I don’t understand why the DOT didn’t reduce the speed limit on this segment of highway instead. This would’ve eliminated the need for this channelized intersection.

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

April 8, 2011

Lanihau Partners/Kaloko-Honokohau National Park Intersection Clarification

By Aaron Stene

Judge Elizabeth Strance recently signed the final judgement (in favor of the BLNR) in Margaret Wille‘s Lalamilo roadway reservation lawsuit. She has 30 days to appeal Judge Strance’s ruling.

Related item:

BLNR Land Sale May Make It Difficult To Build The Lalamilo Connector Road

I spoke the HDOT design engineer overseeing the Hualalai Vistas channelized intersection project. The developer’s consultant hasn’t submitted the rock facing geotechnical report to him yet. He last heard from this individual about four weeks ago.

Lastly, I inquired with the HDOT regarding the signalization of the Lanihau Partners/Kaloko-Honokohau National Park intersection. The HDOT and Lanihau Partners reached an agreement back in 1998 to relocate the intersection for the future West Hawaii Business Park. This relocation would mitigate impacts to the Mamalahoa Trail. So, the state agreed to pay for the intersection improvements in exchange for Lanihau allowing the HDOT to move the intersection.

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

January 21, 2011

Lack of Adequate Financing Doomed The Villages at Aina Le’a Project

By Aaron Stene

The State LUC reverted The Villages at Aina Le’a's land classification back to agriculture yesterday. I wasn’t expecting the commissioners to render this decision so soon. I expected they’d hear more testimony and defer a final decision until later.

I believe this LUC decision has jeopardized the future of this project and investments made by hundreds of Asian investors. Nevertheless, I don’t feel sorry for these individuals. They invested their money in a project that didn’t have sufficient financing. So, there was no way the developer could meet the LUC’s conditions.

The lack financing has doomed this development from the get-go. Nevertheless, the developer, along with a plethora of Asian investors will likely sue the State of Hawaii to recoup their investment. This sounds eerily reminiscent of the protracted Hokuli’a debacle.

Related item: The Villages At Aina Le’a Project Update

The Hawaii DWS posted this update regarding the ongoing HOVE water facility construction.

The Hawaii DOT is working with the developer of the Hualalai Vistas subdivision to assess the stability of the partially excavated rock facing above Mamalahoa Highway. This is why construction on the channelized intersection above Hualalai Vistas hasn’t restarted yet.

I’ll be blogging normally this week. They adjusted my schedule slightly. So, I’ll be working overnight on Sunday, off Monday, and working my normal schedule until Friday.

Please keep reading this blog for updates regarding several significant local projects over the coming weeks. These projects are followed:

Ane Keohokalole Highway (on Monday),

Palamanui

Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening

Makalei Fire Station.

Lastly, Hawaiian Telcom filed an emergency application with the FCC on January 12, 2010. They’ve  requested a temporary license to operate their interisland submarine fiber-optic network.

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

September 7, 2010

Rep. Hirono Or Sen. Inouye Haven’t Responded To Any Of My E-mails Regarding The Saddle Road Improvement Project

By Aaron Stene

Construction on the channelized intersection above Hualalai Vistas may re-start soon. The revised intersection construction plans were recently approved by the HDOT. These plans still include excavating the rock facing on the mauka side of the road.

I hope the contractor has found a way to minimize the damage to the surrounding homes from hoe raming the rock facing.

The HDOT will hold a meeting with the surrounding homeowners before Isemoto Contracting resumes work

South Point Investment Group LLC and a Discovery Harbour community based LLC have reached an agreement. The details of this agreement won’t be released until the end of October. However, it will likely entail having the community based LLC take over day to day operations of the golf course.

I’m utterly frustrated that neither Rep. Hirono or Sen. Inouye have responded to numerous e-mails regarding my concerns about the future funding for the Saddle Road improvement project. Maui, not the Big Island will receive the next round of Defense Access Road funding (note: I’m not sure if this entirely accurate. Sen. Inouye has requested 12.2 million dollars in Defense Access Road funding for the last Kona side phase of Saddle Road between m.m 41 and Mamalahoa Highway for FY2011).

Rep. Hirono has also refused to respond to any of my e-mails inquiring about the $750,000 earmarked to resurface Saddle Road between m.m 49-54. The latter is only about 1/3 of what Hawaii County requested. However, I noticed Sen. Inouye has requested 2 million dollars to improve Saddle Road. I wonder if this is the rest of the funding Hawaii County is seeking?

Lastly, the CFLHD has applied for a NPDES permit on August 19, 2010 for the last Hilo phase between m.m 5.3 and m.m 11. This is one of several issues the CFLHD has to resolve before this phase can be advertised.

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

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