Mall Granted Extension On Option To Lease
Talking Story…Sen. Mike Gabbard
Aloha friends,
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your ohana!
May this wonderful season bring you peace and happiness.
Our hearts go out to the victims and all their ohana and friends who have been impacted by Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the Philippines Nov. 8.
You can send monetary donations to the American Red Cross at 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816 and the Filipino Community Center at 94-428 Mokuola St. #302, Waipahu, HI 96797.
Please let me know if I can ever help you or your family in any way. I can be reached at 586-6830 or by email at sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov.
Update on Ka Makana Alii Mall
Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) held a special meeting Nov. 14 to consider extending the option to lease for Hawaii DeBartolo LLC’s Ka Makana Alii shopping mall.
This project will be located at the corner of Kapolei Parkway and Kualakai Parkway on 67 acres of DHHL land and will be the third largest mall on the island.
I submitted testimony that said in part: “… during the last few months, I have received input from both businesses and community members who have concerns about DeBartolo’s actions.
“While I do support this one-year extension, I will withhold my support of the final approval of the lease agreement until I’m assured that DeBartolo has made good on its promises to DHHL beneficiaries and the community.
“DeBartolo should make a renewed commitment to engage the community and ensure that pending issues – such as ‘community benefits,’ Hawaiian Railway Society and Kualakai Parkway Extension – all are resolved in a fair and appropriate manner.”
HHC approved the extension by a 7-0 vote. DeBartolo is planning to begin construction on the mall in August 2014.
Funding Released and New Education Programs at UH West Oahu
I was happy to receive a letter from Gov. Abercrombie Nov. 19 letting me know that he had released funding for the UH West Oahu campus. Those projects are: * Road B – UH West Oahu to Kualakai Parkway, $3.5 million * Minor Repairs and Improvements, $41,000
Also, beginning spring 2014, UH West Oahu will be offering two new programs in education – one will focus on grades 6-8, and the other will focus on grades 6-12 in the areas of English and social studies.
Waipahu Resident Wins Toyota Together-Green Fellowship
Congratulations to Waipahu resident Miwa Tamanaha for winning the Toyota TogetherGreen Fellowship from Toyota and the National Audubon Society!
Her yearlong fellowship will include a $10,000 grant that will help support her work in stewarding native limu. Each year 40 people across the country are awarded this fellowship.
“Listen-Story” in Kapolei cafe
My next “Listen Story” meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 11 at Pray Eat Love Café (533 Manawai St. #304, Waianae side, directly across from Kapolei High School).
If you can’t make the meeting, send me an email and I’ll forward you the notes.
