This is an interesting read about Waimea Bay in Oahu, Hawaii. Special thanks for Lopaka for sharing his personal perceptions and memories on his Facebook:.
I was born raised in Waimea Valley, my Ohana’s ancestry goes way back for centuries.
My dad Francis Kipapa Brown took this picture of his brother Ben Kahulamu Brown in 1935.
If you’re wondering what happened to all the sand! Well!!! Not long after the United States illegal occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1898 the Territory of Hawaii and the big five corporations started ripping off the sand from Waimea and that’s what created the Bay.
Sand was more valuable then gold back then because the sand from Waimea and the Hawaiian Islands were very corse and not real fine and was better for making cement & concrete for highways and development.
The sand was also used to create the military beach for Fort Derussy and to fill in the Kalo Loi’s that created Waikiki Beach.
The removal of the sand exposed the reefs and generated the huge waves we now have during the winter surf months.
They stopped taking the sand in the late 1960’s into the early 1970’s when they realized that with the sand all gone, the exposure of the reefs was causing the huge waves, and erosion started to take it’s toll from Kuilima, Sunset Beach and the coast line to Haleiwa.
Anyway’s just wanted to share and compare the before and now…
BTW: When my grandmother was a little girl she said the sand was so far out she could walk out pass those little rock islands out on the left side of the bay… Aloha
The
City and County of Honolulu City Council adopted Bill 89 and Bill 85 on June
17, 2019 after many long and contentious hearings.
Honolulu
Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed Bill 89 into law on June 25, 2019. On July 3, the
City Council chose not to address Bill 85 Veto.
Here is the
information provided by the Department of Planning and Permitting:
June 21, 2019
City Department of Planning and Permitting
New
Regulations on Short-Term Rentals
Bill 89 CD2
was adopted by City Council on Monday, June 17. It is awaiting action by Mayor
Kirk Caldwell. Its main points:
_Allows a limited number of new Bed and Breakfast Homes
(B&B) in non-resort areas under a new registration process, with annual
renewal required.
_Continues to prohibit Transient Vacation Units, or
“unhosted” rentals, in non-resort areas, unless the dwelling has a
Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC).
_Regulates hosting platforms, such as Expedia or Airbnb,
requiring monthly reports to be filed with the Department of Planning and
Permitting, which will share the information with City Council.
_Makes
illegal any form of advertising short-term rentals which are not in compliance
with zoning regulations as provided in Bill 89. Bill 89 CD2:
http://bit.ly/2Kt9Qu9
The following
Questions and Answers are based on the assumption that Bill 89 CD2 will shortly
be enacted into law.
ADVERTISING
I own an
unhosted, “whole house,” or Transient Vacation Unit. I pay taxes. Can I
continue to advertise online and in the local newspaper?
Only if the
dwelling has a NUC or is located in a resort district.
When will
the department start enforcing the new advertising restrictions?
Beginning
August 1, 2019.
What are
the fines for illegal advertising?
Owners of the
property involved in illegal advertising will be notified, and if the
advertisement is taken down in 7 days, no fine will be imposed for a first
offense. If not taken down within this deadline, fines of between $1,000 and
$10,000 can be imposed for each day the advertisement remains on display.
If the management company
for my property places an illegal ad, will the company get cited?
They may be cited, but Bill 89
CD2 says, “The burden of proof is on the owner of the subject real property to
establish that the property is not being used as a bed and breakfast home or
transient vacation unit or that the advertisement was placed without the
property owner’s knowledge or consent.”
REGISTRATION OF NEW BED AND
BREAKFAST HOMES
I have been operating a Bed
and Breakfast Home for several years. Do I still have to obtain a registration
number?
Yes, unless you have a NUC.
I only rent out my house for
more than 30 days at a time. Do I need to register?
No.
I only rent my house while
my family spends 2 weeks each year visiting family on the mainland. Do I need
to register? When can I register?
Registration will begin no
sooner than October 1, 2020.
Why do we have to wait more
than year to register?
The time is required for the
Department to develop more specific procedures for implementing Bill 89 CD2,
including the adoption of rules, and creating the software to help with
enforcement and the registration process. If necessary, it provides time to
acquire more staff and to train them.
What are the registration
requirements?
There are more than a dozen
requirements. Most notable:
_Applicants must be “natural persons,” and not an organization or company
_Applicants must have a home exemption granted under real property tax law
_There must be insurance coverage for bed and breakfast use
_The initial registration fee is $1,000. For annual renewals, the fee is $2,000
_No more than 2 bedrooms can be used for visitor accommodations
_Quiet hours must be observed between 10 pm and 8 am
_If part of a homeowners or apartment owners association, approval by that
association must be obtained
_Neighbors within 250 feet
must be given a phone number to contact to make complaints 24 hours a day
For the complete list of
requirements, refer to Bill 89 CD2: http://bit.ly/2Kt9Qu9 3
Are there other
requirements?
Density Limit.
No more than 0.5% of the total number of dwelling units in each regional
development plan area (DPA) can be used as B&Bs. Here are the limits by
area:
New B&Bs are not allowed in
the North Shore area, based on directives of the North Shore Sustainable
Communities Plan: http://bit.ly/2Y4QpLg
Condominium Limit. Up to 50% of
units in a condominium building may be allowed a B&B, subject to AOAO
approval.
Nontransferable. Registration
numbers are not transferable to another property, nor transferable to another
homeowner.
Separation Minimum. B&Bs
must be at least 1,000 feet from each other. This does not apply to units in
resort areas and NUCs.
Renewal Criteria. Noise and
other nuisance complaints can be grounds to deny renewal requests.
It is not yet determined. An
online registration process is anticipated, but certain requirements will have
to be verified; e.g. compliance with parking requirements.
If only a
limited number of registration numbers will be given out, how can I guarantee
to get one?
There is no
provision for guarantees.
How will it
be determined who gets a registration number?
Generally on
first-come, first-served basis. If the number of requests exceeds the limit for
a DPA, then a lottery will be held.
How will
the lottery system work?
This will be
fleshed out in the Rules. There will be a public hearing on the draft Rules
before they are finalized.
I am
currently operating a B&B, and do not have a NUC, so will need to register.
Will I get priority in the registration process?
No.
Can I
advertise and operate a short-term rental once I register?
No. To avoid a
citation, operation cannot occur until the registration process has been
completed and registration number issued.
MORE
INFORMATION
Note that
DPP has not mentioned about the property tax designation to “Resort”. It’s
unclear whether it would be based only on the two bedrooms of a home.
Previous elected office, if any: Community Associations
Community organizations/prior offices held
Chair, Defend Oahu Coalition – Keep The Country Country; president, BYU-Hawaii Alumni Association; president, Laie Point Community Association; board member, Laie Community Association; founding member, Kahuku Hospital Board, Save Oahu Farmlands Alliance; member, Honolulu Board of Realtors; producer, Olelo Community Media; member, Hawaii Thousand Friends; member, Sierra Club; member, Ko’olauloa Sustainable Communities Advisory Planning Committee; member, Amnesty International; member, Friends of South Pass City; member, Relief Society Women’s Organization; merit badge counselor, Aloha Council BSA.
What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?
I’m a CITIZEN CANDIDATE, not a career politician or a career bureaucrat, like some candidates. I’ve been a successful small businesswoman for 30 years.
Status Quo has not served us well. I want to positively improve Oahu for my children and your children. I
do not accept donations from special interests so I’m not beholden to do their bidding or owe any favors. I’ve mostly paid for this campaign on my own. I’ve been happily involved in civic and public affairs for decades with no compensation expected.
I have been an environmental, social and economic justice advocate and activist at City Hall with land use issues such as “Keep The Country Country”, preserving farmlands, food sustainability, open space, preserving parks, capital spending issues and others.
For the past 10 years, I’ve personally been involved in budgeting process and workings of Honolulu Hale. I’ve grown older and impatient and wish to make a difference INSIDE City Hall. I don’t have an ego nor am I looking to save my job. I truly believe that a public office is to serve the public good; it’s not a profiteering office.
If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?
Many residents have several jobs to keep themselves afloat. Our seniors have to postpone retirement. Kupuna are worried about being priced out of house and home and not being able to pass the family inheritance on to the next generation. Our residents worry when the government is going to slam them with more taxes and fees!
We must protect our home front first! I want to champion and work with the other 8 council members to
~ ~ provide a property tax cap for local homeowners who have lived in their homes for 15 years or more. ( California did Prop 13 in 1978!)
~~ provide incentives to property owners who rent long-term to long term residents.
~~ Focus on increasing truly affordable rentals/homes inventory These foundation improvements will help mitigate some of the challenges we face in Oahu today. It will also protect our residents’ ability to remain in our island home and not be priced out.
What are the top three challenges facing the voters you seek to represent?
District 2 is the most diversified and largest land area in the City Council. We span rural communities from Kahalu’u to Wahiawa to an award-winning planned community in Mililani Mauka. We have wonderful residents!
1. Costs of Living & Housing – Hawaii is such a beautiful place with a stable political environment that does not discriminate real estate ownership; our local residents have to compete with international investors for real estate holdings. Increased property values and property taxes outpace many residents’ fixed social security and income. Our residents are feeling priced out on so many different levels.
Many work 2-3 jobs to make ends meet and sustain themselves. Our young people have to resort to exchange babysitting in parking lots on the way to work! Kupuna are worried about sustaining themselves in their golden years and passing on the family home to their children.
Most of us work very hard to make a living.
The government must deliberate carefully before imposing escalating fees and taxes on our people. Residents are not eternal money trees.
2. Quality of Life Ko’olauloa and North Shore is the Oahu’s golden goose for tourism. While residents are welcoming, the quality of life must be considered. Residents are overwhelmed by the increased amount of tourists. Tourism’ multiplier impacts on our infrastructure and public space are real. Traffic is a constant aggravation. The one hundred- year-old Kamehameha Highway, parks, other finite natural resources and other municipal services have to be considered into policy-making and deliberations .
3. Economic Opportunities This cash economy is leaving many of our residents behind. Homelessness is on the rise in our District. We have homeless camping in the streets, mountains, and other public places. This is not good for them and not good for the public. The world is changing. Jobs that are here today will not be here tomorrow.
Fortunately, we have very successful residents who are willing to help and share. As a city councilwoman for my District, I will also focus on this area – to help our residents explore start-ups, resources, education and options to lift ourselves and our families to the countless opportunities out there for economic gain.
If elected, what can you do to improve the lives of your constituents?
Our residents are working very hard to make a living and sustaining themselves. I truly believe government is for betterment of the happiness, welfare and prosperity of our people.
1. Thus, I will be very firm and cognizant in fiscal decision-making. Is the spending good for the residents? Are local residents the primary beneficiaries? Is it absolutely necessary?
2. We also need to maintain clean, safe, and efficient core municipal services for our communities.
3. I will become your good friend. I will visit you in YOUR neighborhood and work with you.
4. We MUST protect our residents FIRST. They are the major stakeholders in Oahu. The Honolulu City Council has tremendous leverage and oversight to mitigate development agendas for Oahu.
5. We must have an over-arching understanding of what we wish Oahu to become. We must base our decision-making consistent with the Oahu General Plan (and Hawaii 2050), which offers objectives and policy guidelines for Population, Economic, Social, Cultural and Recreation, Tourism, Natural Environment, Transportation, Energy, Public Safety, Health & Education, Government Operations and Fiscal management to sustain and maintain our island home.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I’m a citizen candidate. I do not accept donations from lobbyists or corporations. I owe nobody favors or fear except to work with you residents to improve some basic challenges facing us.
I have severe concerns about the direction that Honolulu is heading. We cannot continue to fund the runaway Honolulu Rail without firm fiscal scrutiny and accountability. I’m volunteering myself as an able and trained alternative to “business as usual” politics.
You can rely on my decades-old record of activism and advocacy. I have been consistent. I maintain a world-view outlook. But I also recognize that we live on a small island.
Additionally, my profession as a real estate broker allows me to work with people from all walks of life and status. We treat every client with care and respect. Should there be a challenge, we quickly and methodically address them with all parties and professionals concerned and find solutions to the benefit of all.
I have great confidence we can tackle Oahu’s challenges together! It doesn’t matter if we’re young or old, rich or poor, Democrat or Republican, military or civilian, unionized or not – – we all have the same dreams for ourselves and our children. We can be fair and reasonable in decision-making; we can all win! There are solutions to the challenges on our island home.
You the residents have valuable local knowledge and wisdom to share. Many of us also have international experience, professionally combed the world, and gained insights and expertise. Collectively, we can improve our island home! Let’s put YOUR smarts, imagination, expertise, common sense, and aloha together to improve our lives and communities.
Let’s gang up for the public good! I humbly ask for YOUR vote.
I’ve been involved in city affairs as an activist and advocate for decades. I’ve grown older and impatient! I would like the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our residents INSIDE city hall.
I truly believe the government exists to improve the life and happiness of its citizens. I want to put residents FIRST! You are the major stakeholder.
So many of our residents face economic and social pressures. Many of our residents have to carry 2 or 3 jobs to survive. Our kama’aina folks worry about escalating costs of living and being priced out of Hawaii.
One fundamental issue I want to champion and work with the other eight council members is to provide a property tax cap for local homeowners who have lived in their homes for more than 15 years and to provide incentives to property owners who rent long-term to long term residents. (This is not out of the blue. Case in Point – The city has provided property tax relief where developers only paid $300 per year instead of about $160,000 .00 per year for property taxes. )
Of course, there are other issues like traffic, tourism impacts, infrastructure, homelessness, jobs creation and business opportunities, oligarchy, gentrification, Aloha Disconnect, parks and resources, retirement, families in distress, carrying capacity, crime, drug addiction and so forth. Jobs that are here today may be obsolete tomorrow.
There are solutions to the challenges on our island home. You the residents have valuable local knowledge and wisdom to share. Many of you have have international experience, professionally combed the world, gained insights and expertise. Collectively, we can improve our island home!
Let’s put your smarts, imagination, expertise, common sense and aloha together to improve our lives and communities. WE can all win!
Let’s gang up for the public good! I humbly ask for your vote!