Maunawili Community Association

Maunawili Community Association Minutes June 12, 2001

Minutes June 12, 2001

Maunawili Community Association
Regular Meeting
June 12, 2001, 7:00 p.m.
Maunawili Neighborhood Park Pavilion
Present: Jim Corcoran, Rose Faria, Ed Gomes, Mel & Mim Lang, Barbara and Tony Locricchio, Jim and Rochelle McArthur, Ron Riggs, Linda Ure, Richard Via.
Old Business: Update on Weinberg Foundation/HRT plans for Luana Hills Golf Club properties - Jim Corcoran. The general history of the Luana Hills Properties was reviewed that Councilmember Holmes approached the Maunawili Valley Communities for support in placing the Luana Hills Properties on the City & County Facility Map with the designation of a Windward Regional Park in March and April 2000. The Community support was given from the Olomana, Maunawili Estates, Maunawili, Pohakapu, and Old Kukanono communities as well as the Kailua Neighborhood Board. The property was placed on the facilities map and given a park symbol so that funds could be leveraged in the City & County Budgeting process. However, the Luana Hills properties were subsequently purchased by the Weinberg Foundation/HRT on December 29, 2000 from Pan Pacific Properties, Inc. The Maunawili Community Association requested the Weinberg Foundation to meet with the community at the February meeting and has continued to request a meeting with the community, as has the Kailua Neighborhood Board. However, the Weinberg Foundation/HRT representative, Mr. Dornbush, has been either too busy to meet with the community or expressed fear of being treated hostilely by the community. Weinberg Foundation has yet to meet with the community or with the Kailua Neighborhood Board. The City & County placed $4.1M in the budget to purchase the Conservation and Preservation land [not to include the existing golf course and the undeveloped golf course land or the Club house building].
Discussion: Newer developments were: 1.) that the City & County placed an additional $8.1 million dollars to purchase the entire tract of Luana Hills Golf Club properties to include the existing Golf Course and Golf Club House. 2.) As Mr. Dornbush (according to Senator Bob Hogue's newsletter, May, 2001) says, Weinberg Foundation/HRT is studying the placement of estate lots on the property and/or an additional 9-hole golf course. 3.) May 16, was a hearing on C &C Budget CD-2 which (according to e-mail traffic with councilmembers, a.) John Henry Felix is suggesting the dollars in CD-2 are not a credible estimate of value of the Luana Hills property and its ability to earn monies (FMV) for the landowner, therefore, he objects to the line item in the budget at this time. b.) Possible uses for the Club House - by groups for (as a 9-hole course) Junior Golfers, c.) convert existing developed and undeveloped golf courses for family picnics, or gardens. There are many things the land can be used for. No definite plans have been stated by Weinberg/HRT, but as the May 2001 Newsletter published by Senator Bob Hogue states houses and/or a 9-hole golf course are being studied. The land is Ag- 2 zoning (1 house every 2 acres = about 75 houses), but - no real comment except conversion value. Chair Ed Gomes suggested that Chairman Awaya was a right hand man to the Weinberg's. The MCA could ask to meet with Mr. Alvin Awaya, Chairman, HRT Ltd. and ask to have property become a regional park. As $8.2 million dollars was set aside in CD-2 and that the hearing was at 9 a.m., Jim Corcoran submitted testimony. Total dollar amount was ($ 4.1M and $8.2M =) Twelve Million Dollars. Councilmember Steve Holmes is Chair of the Budget Committee, Councilmember Okino may not back the MCA's position as he is not well versed in the background on this specific Ag 2 land. The acreage for the 12.2M was for 1084 acres. Question: Council budget this coming year (2001-2002) explore the probability of the Windward Community Center, to include Park, Garden, Cultural Retreats, pro-actively. Approach the Weinberg Foundation for "Annual" Food Festival or Music Festival through Mr. Alvin Awaya, Chairman, Weinberg Foundation/HRT Ltd. to the feasibility of small camping grounds, equestrian trails, botanical garden, dog park (bark park), hiking trails, group meeting facilities. It is noted that the Waimanalo Vision Team and the Kailua Vision Team has "plans" in the discussion phase of a larger greenspace from Makapuu to Hoolomalahia Botanical Gardens-however, no proposal has been discussed with the MCA on how this would impact the MCA community. 2.) The City Council Budget hearing of May 16 was recessed to May 23. Mr. Corcoran again testified before that hearing. At the May 23rd hearing, It was stated by Mr. Kurahashi that Weinberg does not plan to build houses on the undeveloped golf course property in reply to query by Councilmember Duke Bainum. [It was previously stated by Mr. Kurahashi that Weinberg was studying the possibility of developing the undeveloped golf course property]. Councilmember Holmes said that the City's retreat from purchase of the Golf Club came about as a result of a meeting between Mayor Harris and a Mr. Enomoto on Friday, May 18, 2001 (apparently representing Weinberg Foundation/HRT). 3.) The full Council met and the budget was again changed from 8.1M to 6M for the conservation easement. Although it was mentioned that a deed moratorium prohibited development on the property until 2006; there still is nothing to prevent WF/HRT from placing estate lots (1 house/2acre parcel) on the property. 4.) Dr. Rochelle McArthur went to Weinberg Foundation National Headquarters outside Baltimore Maryland to hand carry a letter from the Community Association. She reported that she was able to deliver the letter on May 23rd but was unable to talk to Ms. Shrewsbury until May 24 and that was by phone conversation. Ms. Shrewsbury stated that the National headquarters does not generally interfere with local actions of Weinberg Foundation. 5.) It is understood that a conservation easement would allow access to the existing trails that connect to the Luana Hills Property and while Mayor Harris, Duke Bainum and Steve Holmes support no development in Maunawili Valley (also in the Ko'olau Poko Sustainable Communities Plan ) there is no defense against WF/HRT building on their property, e.g. 1 estate house each 2 acres. It is restated that Sen Bob Hogue's May newsletter states that WF/HRT is studying a 9-hole golf course and estate lots and in two (2) C&C committee meetings, Mr. Kurahashi as a.) Possibility and b.) No building on the property-the bottom line is still unresolved. There is still a chance WF/HRT could build in Maunawili Valley. 6.) Mr Locricchio stated that DLNR has not yet voted on the Old Government Road that was turned over to Luana Hills owners in 1985-7. Historically, the C&C cannot deed Old Government Road, which is owned by the people of Hawaii, to Luana Hills property owners. 7. ) As no adequate maps of the property are available, it is suggested the undeveloped golf course is beyond the developed golf course and contains approximately 150 acres and hopefully is on higher ground than the flood plain. 8.) It appears that $10.1 M is set aside by C&C to purchase conservation, preservation, and easement, all not developable by the landowner anyway. That means that WF/HRT will, in effect, receive the Luana Hills Golf Club (the Clbhouse, 18-hole course, and the undeveloped course) for free. WF/HRT paid approximately $10 million in December, 2000, the City will provide $10.1 for the non-golf course property and a "conservation easement." Weinberg Foundation/HRT will only relinquish undevelopable land (preservation, conservation) to the City in return for the $10.1 Million. 9. ) As no land purchases is in these monies, only the restriction on building to 2006 remains in the court documents to be interpreted to 2006 or 2012. Mr. Locricchio went on to say that Ag-2 land requires more farming than a token papaya tree and banana bush. 10.) It was pointed out that Mr. Enomoto is also a developer front person as is Mr. Dornbush. A meeting between the Mayor and Mr. Enomoto may not have been in accordance with the Sunshine Law. A possible legal challenge over Old Government Road as well as non-transparent government proceeding with public monies may be appropriate. 11.) As of 2002 there will be a new Mayor and a new City Council. The language in the budget needs to be more specific as to what is allowed and what is not allowed on behalf of the taxpayers. It is suggested the combined communities hold another meeting to address this further development on their behalf, that of buying 900 acres and a conservation easement for 10.1M when Weinberg paid 10M for the 1084 acres of property. This may be mismanagement of public funds. Is there a possibility of conflict of interest between members of the City Council and Weinberg Foundation? 12.) A possible need for legal advice could be looked into by the communities. 13.) Recent signage was noted that Castle Medical Center Annex is being funded by Weinberg Foundation. Do we have an example of Charity with Strings? The purity of the Weinberg Foundation may come under question. 14.) An invitation to a community gathering should be extended to Mayor Harris, Duke Bainum, Steve Holmes, and Weinberg Foundation Representatives. As Mayor opposes development, a certificate of Award could be presented. As Duke Bainum has remained true to the will of the community, a certificate of Award could be presented. As Steve Holmes brought the community the inspired idea, a certificate of Award could be presented.
Call to Order: 8:05 p.m. by Ed Gomes, President. [Due to lack of lights at pavilion, Discussion began on Luana Hills Properties and was motioned to be incorporated into the minutes when the lighting problem was solved].
Motion: Forgoing discussion on Luana Hills Properties and Windward Regional Park in Maunawili Valley is to be incorporated into the Minutes of Regular meeting June 12, 2001. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Continue donation fund to defray expenses and expand scope to include a legal fund to address concerns in the Luana Hills Properties and Windward Regional Park in Maunawili Valley. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Reimburse Dr. McArthur for train and cab fare (approximately $108.00) to meet with the National Headquarters of the Weinberg Foundation. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Write letters of thank you to Weinberg Foundation (National) for talking with Dr. McArthur and Councilmember Duke Bainum for support at City Council meetings May 16 and 23. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Combine Maunawili Community Association Regular Meeting into the July 28 Pot Luck and invite elected representatives at City and State levels, Weinberg Foundation, and the neighboring community associations of Olomana, Kukanono, Pohakapu and Maunawili Estates. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Arrange for a tour of Old Government Road before school reopens in late August, 2001. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Minutes of May meeting accepted as circulated. Motion carried unanimously.
Announcement: Kailua Christian School may be preparing to purchase property in Maunawili Valley (approximately at 954 Auloa Road) to develop as a school facility.
Treasurers Report: Balance is $2,076.51 after expenses of P. O. Box $55.00 and Filing Fee $5.00
Next Meeting: Maunawili Community Association Executive Board and community members will be July 3, 2001.
Garage Sale: will be held Saturday August 25, 2001 from 8 to noon. Signs, flyers and Muse tear-off registration will be prepared. Cost is $3.00 per household address to defray cost of balloons and newspaper advertisement.
Further investigation needed: 1.) It will be investigated whether a video of the valley might be made to include the old dairy farms, Queen's bath, 1967 and 1987 floods. 2.) For the July Pot Luck a mike will be rented and the stage is located at Virginia Fine's home. 3.) Follow up with Ms. Chock on the possibility of a poetry/song writing festival hosted by the community associations surrounding Maunawili Valley.
Adjournment: There being no further business the meeting Adjourned at 9.15 p.m.
Submitted by Linda C Ure, Secretary
Text prepared for Web page by Linda Ure MCA Secretary

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