Tag Archives: Margaret Wille

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

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 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

February 25, 2011

Makalei Fire Station Update

By Aaron Stene

Maryl KPRS Hawaii Joint Venture was the lowest bidder (6.2 million dollars) for the Makalei Fire Station project. Bodell Construction Company (6.7 million dollars) and Ledcor Construction Hawaii LLC (6.8 million dollars) were the next lowest bidders.

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

“Bids were opened on Thursday. Although I can’t give you figures, we did have 13 interested general contractors that submitted bids which made for a very competitive bid. The bid submittals will now have to be reviewed to insure compliance with the requirements of the bid specifications. Once that is completed and the low bid submittal verified, we’ll be able to announce the contractor and the price. I’ll keep you apprised if that happens before 3/15.”

A representative of Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company called me on Wednesday regarding their baseyard on Kealakehe Parkway. He assured me they would start removing their fill material starting in late March/early April 2011. However, it will take them a few months to vacate this area. HDCC is planning to use this material for a project up in Hamakua.

Margaret Wille blogged about the status of her Lalamilo roadway reservation appeal. Judge Strance recently rendered several unfavorable rulings..

Lastly, Judge Ibarra remanded the ongoing Hawaii County lawsuit against American Motorist/1250 Oceanside Partners into mediation.

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

October 21, 2010

Parker Ranch Connector Road Update

By Aaron Stene

Bolton Inc. is slated to start work November 1st, 2010 on the Holu Street Connector project. They anticipate completing this roadway extension by the end of the year.

Margaret Wille posted an update regarding the soon-to-be opened Parker Ranch Connector Road. The interim grant of easement resolution was submitted to the county council on October 20,2010. The council likely will agendize this ordinance for the next meeting on November 4th, 2010.

Parker Ranch has promised to open the roadway after the council has approved this easement legislation.

The Hawaii County Council deferred action on Councilman Hoffmann’s impact fee legislation. Mr. Hoffmann should’ve introduced this legislation after the new council convenes next year. The current council is very developer friendly. So, this legislation currently has a snowballs chance in hell to be approved.

I hope the council addresses this issue soon. The current fair share system is illegal, and unfairly forces the taxpayers to shoulder most of the cost of infrastructure improvements.

For example, Hawaii County wouldn’t have to float a bond to construct the La’aloa Avenue extension if we had an impact fee ordinance in place.

The Queen Kaahumanu Highway extension construction speed limit signs have been taken down. This means the resurfacing between Henry and Lako Street is nearly complete. The HDOT has scheduled a pre-final inspection for October 28th, 2010.

This is the latest update regarding Hawaii County’s lawsuit against 1250 Oceanside Partners and American Motorist Insurance Company.

Lastly, I decided to vote early yesterday. I voted for both Democratic and Republican candidates.

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

October 18, 2010

Parker Ranch Connector Road Update

By Aaron Stene

I’m confident that HELCO’s Palani Road utility pole relocation project won’t delay the reconstruction of Palani Road. The Hawaii PUC granted HELCO permission to move and replace the poles on May 27, 2010.

HELCO has ordered the new steel utility poles already. They are scheduled to arrive by December 2010.

Hawaii County has asked HELCO to complete this pole relocation by April 2011.

The next meeting between the contractor and HELCO is scheduled on November 9th, 2010. I’ll be able to get an update on the arrival of the poles then.

Parker Ranch sent me this update regarding the Parker Ranch Connector Road.

“Yes, in order to open the road prior to dedication the County has agreed to indemnify the Ranch through an easement agreement. So that way the road can be opened early for public use similar to Henry Street. That draft Grant of Easement is currently being reviewed by Corp Counsel. Once we get the County’s comments on the easement then we can move forward to County Council approval. The Connector Road has passed final inspection and this is the only piece we are waiting on.

Pukalani road is ready to be dedicated and will be dedicated at the same time that the Connector Road is. But Pukalani is not the hold up.

We are hoping for an opening sometime in the 4th quarter. “

I’m thrilled that Hawaii County is attempting to secure funding for the La’aloa Avenue Extension. The county is planning advertise this project in January 2011.

There is a slew of on hold or proposed on hold or proposed North Kona housing developments. The West Hawaii real estate market remains weak. So, I’d be shocked if any of these projects materialize soon.

Lastly, Margaret Wille has posted the latest Court filings for her ongoing Lalamilo roadway easement reservation lawsuit.

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

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