Tag Archives: Katia.Balassiano

Bill 10 (22) Monster Omnibus Bill at Honolulu City Council is a well-kept secret to the public at large

Relating to ” Request for Amendments to Chapter 21, Revised Ordinances of
Honolulu (ROH), 1990 Land Use Ordinance (LUO), Relating to
Use Regulations”

This Monster Bill 10 at 239 pages has been been in the working since the days of Mayor Kirk Caldwell. DPP Katia.Balassiano said that she also responded to questions at the Honolulu City Council Hearing on September 7, 2022.

But it hasn’t been our case.

We heard about the proposed changes to the City’s LUO being alluded to at the March 17, 2021 Planning Commission Hearing, I personally emailed DPP Katia.Balassiano on March 18, 2021 and did not received any response.

March 18, 2021

Choon James <choonjameshawaii@gmail.com>Mar 18, 2021, 3:11 PM
to Katia.Balassiano,

 Aloha Katia,
I was at the Planning Commission Hearing yesterday. I heard your presentation premises about the industrial turbines distance setbacks, of which many of us don’t agree with.
On a side note, you also mentioned that you were currently reviewing Oahu’s zoning designations as requested by the City Council.
Could you kindly share with us that Resolution or Bill or communications to point us to the primary source.
It would be very helpful to us as we’re just unpaid concerned citizens of Oahu.
Mahalo!
Choon James

293 8888

April 22, 2021 – I emailed again but no response from Katia.Balassiano again.

Choon James <choonjameshawaii@gmail.com>Apr 22, 2021, 2:12 PM
to Katia.Balassiano

Aloha Katia,
I’m trying to trace your presentation dialogue.Did you recall saying this? Any more info will behelpful.
“On a side note, you also mentioned that you were currently reviewing Oahu’s zoning designationsas requested by the City Council.
Could you kindly share with us that Resolution or Bill or communications to point us to the primary source.”
Mahalo, Choon James

January 21, 2022

Two concurrent DEPT. COM 74 about Request for Amendments to Chapter 21 was sent to Tommy Waters, Honolulu City Council Chair. from the Blangiardi Administration and the Planning Commission.

It stated that the Planning Commission had their public hearings on November 24, 2021 and January 18, 2022 on the subject matter. It also stated that the public hearing hearing was closed on January 18, 2022.

Our bad. The first meeting was so close to Thanksgiving. And the second meeting was right after Christmas and New Year’s Day. I don’t usually keep track of the Planning Commission Hearings. I wonder who does.

One may wonder why this Monster Bill 10 did not begin at the Honolulu City Council first where there would be more public notice.

If the Mayor’s Request starts at the Planning Commission, the approval vote from the Honolulu City Council is 5 majority votes. However, if the request begins at the Honolulu City Council, the approval majority is 6 votes.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell use this same procedure for the Vacation Rental Bills.

Further reading into the beginnings of this Monster Bill 10 shows the intent and its organized procedure inside Honolulu Hale and at DPP.

I can’t see concerned citizens being easily able to track this Omnibus Monster Bill on their own outside of Honolulu Hale and the Planning Commission without some friendly assistance. Every City Council Hearing is also usually packed with many items.

Is there a way to be more public friendly and more helpful in informing the public?

More to come.