Public Meeting June 25 To Discuss Ewa Development Plan

A group of newly elected members of the Makakilo/Kapolei/Honoka i Hale Neighborhood Board will host a Town Hall Meeting from 7 to 9:30 p.m. June 25 (Tuesday) in the Kapolei High School cafeteria to discuss the Ewa Development Plan.

According to the Department of Planning and Permitting, the Ewa Development Plan, or Bill 65, would support the development of Kapolei as a secondary urban center, protect prime agriculture lands and promote master planned communities.

But community members have alleged that the plan does nothing to protect farmland and will increase area traffic.

The June 25 meeting is sponsored by neighborhood board members Dean Capelouto, Marissa Capelouto, Kioni Dudley, Jeff Healy, James Macey and Evelyn Souza – all of whom ran for their board positions on the Sensible Slate, which was united on shared concerns over increasing traffic, opposition to Ho’opili, support for GMO labeling and other community and environmental issues. Their term will begin July 1.

Co-organizer and president of Friends of Makakilo Kioni Dudley says that the passage of the Ewa Development Plan will result in a variety of problems for the community.

“While† our people are at work, our state and city governments are moving ahead with plans that will have grave negative consequences for our people,” said Dudley.† “By 2030, even with Rail, our freeways will be at standstill.† People need to be aware of what is happening, while they can still do something about it.”†

The meeting will include presentations by experts in traffic, agriculture, water and climate change.

The meeting also will be broadcast live on Olelo Views, channel 54.

For more information on the Ewa Development Plan, visit dev.honoluludpp.org/Planning/DevelopmentSustainableCommunitiesPlans/EwaPlan.aspx