Envision Laie Testifies At Koolauloa Hearing

A large group of community members turned out for the city Planning Commission’s March 6 public hearing on the revised Ko’olau Loa Sustainable Communities Plan (KSCP). The plan was amended in part to include proposals by Envision Laie, a community-based organization that promotes “healthy” growth of the area. The proposed changes were supported by the majority of those who testified.

“Achieving harmony between the needs of the present and the aspirations of future generations is what the KSCP is all about,” said Laie Community Association president Pane Meatoga Jr. “The public hearing is an affirmation of the process and the determination of our community to see it through for the good of all concerned.”

The updating process began in 2007, and the final draft was released by the city Department of Planning and Permitting in December.

The KSCP allows for population growth, and the expansion of housing for residents and employees of BYU-Hawaii and Polynesian Cultural Center.

Highlighting the plan are the proposed 875 housing units on about 300 acres of land mauka of Kamehameha Highway, expansion of the BYU-Hawaii campus to accommodate the growth of students from its current enrollment of about 2,700 to 5,000, and expansion of Polynesian Cultural Center.

“As a community, we look forward to continuing the collaboration between business and residents to grow our region in a way that helps local residents stay, have jobs, affordable housing and prosperity,” said Eric Beaver, Hawaii Reserves vice president.

Hawaii Reserves Inc. is a member of Envision Laie and serves as property manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Laie. HRS is a subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation, a management and holding company of for-profit businesses owned by the church.