[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6455957,"mediaKeyId","5711012-a96b7eeb7b2c6f9468a9937defb5dab6","parentId",5711012,"title","HCDA to schedule hearings to lower Central Kakaako maximum FAR after rule change affected tax exemptions","audioSeconds",3134,"startMs",451000,"endMs",3585000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711012-a96b7eeb7b2c6f9468a9937defb5dab6&start=451&end=3585","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711012-a96b7eeb7b2c6f9468a9937defb5dab6/thumbnail_451000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455957/Hawaii/HCDA-to-schedule-hearings-to-lower-Central-Kakaako-maximum-FAR-after-rule-change-affected-tax-exemptions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455957-f53909de239206f5205d480df68f7d1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440675&Signature=hsT4ymaE29Oz-pZNK1nWOZhw7p43YanFZWYlWRUEFDx9F6hW5jWlBp4XO8Ol9rcfRR3d8escBi0qeDVfRjlrMuQbg8TsWmAaFcpRp~bdlT4T3SLzmgQGBtTy9uZySumAJdqOqy-Q7dQacaMLAmiXkFa4f1RqfUuK3estj1LC2EGTpeG8d2-yeDeYYClmj3kAe3~8JPTEj5GpwUWR-MvJJkxpji-pMMaN0XPdduTQq2qrtAMxOW2HhaoaPbARbnE1b98c2wxv2uJvIHHJJBBwGWa1qNBSYHcFmrYYOPi-np~U4z7~RUq0U3VjmBjFl72~rLwuSjfUYxJgYVSdO0u6rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hawaii - Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority","date","2025-09-04T01:16:48Z","article","The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority Kakaako board on Sept. 3 authorized the executive director to schedule public hearings under chapter 91 and chapter 201M, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, to amend the 2024 Kaka'ako Mauka area rules. The proposed amendment would change the maximum floor area ratio (FAR) for the Central Kakaako neighborhood zone from 3.5 to 1.5. The board voted 6-0 with three members excused; one member recorded reservations but voted yes.

Ryan Tan, HCDA director of planning and development, told the board the 2024 rules (effective January 2024) raised allowable density in Central Kakaako to FAR 3.5 but also changed the definition of floor area to include structured parking. Tan said that inclusion effectively increased counted floor area by about 2 FAR in many cases and led to an unintended consequence: some small industrial and commercial properties that previously qualified for a tax exemption under Honolulu City Council Ordinance 16-21 no longer met the exemption threshold.

Tan said the rules change has affected roughly 143 TMK parcels historically covered by the program, with about 50 to 78 recent applicants seeking certification. Staff estimated the change's impact on city tax assessments is \"roughly about $60 million to $90 million\" and that the fiscal impact to the city in lost tax revenue has been on the order of about $800,000 to $1,000,000 per year; Tan said an average parcel's tax reduction historically ranged around $12,000 up to $70,000. The exemption program is set to sunset June 30, 2027, he said.

Executive Director Jared Nakamoto described the proposal as a narrowly focused corrective measure \"strictly limited to address this particular situation,\" and said staff intend to schedule hearings as soon as possible so property owners could have an avenue to appeal or seek certification in the event the Real Property Assessment Division (RPAD) declines appeals based on the current rules. Nakamoto noted that Honolulu City Council members Dos Santos Tam and Nishimoto had introduced a City Council bill (Bill 61) that attempts a parallel remedy, including a retroactive component; Nakamoto said HCDA would not rely solely on the council bill and preferred to proceed with its own rulemaking to avoid leaving property owners without recourse.

Board members debated whether to wait for the City Council action. Member Strikes said he preferred deferring to the council but ultimately recorded reservations and supported beginning the HCDA rulemaking process. Member Evans, who moved the motion, framed the change as a corrective step to help small businesses and landowners that had not anticipated the assessment consequences. Staff said a rule change would not automatically change tax assessments for 2026 unless the city accepted the change for that assessment year, but it could provide a basis for appeals.

Public testimony during the item covered related community concerns about HCDA projects and property transactions. Several speakers, including Brad Nikolai (JN Group), Eric Clark (AOAO board of Symphony and Vanguard), Sarah Freeman (Kakaako resident and small business owner), and Keith Winickott (owner, F45 Ala Moana), urged greater transparency on HCDA-managed redevelopment and asked for clarity on the short-term use of HCDA-owned parcels. Residents and business operators asked HCDA to allow the fitness operator F45 to remain at 956 Kauai/955 Waimanu until a firm redevelopment timetable is set. Nakamoto said the property purchase that had been scheduled to close Aug. 25 is expected to close Sept. 8 and that \"until we have some firm development timetable and plans for that particular parcel, it is not in our interest to terminate early\" an existing tenant; he added that the current F45 lease expires in October 2026.

The board's authorization directs staff to begin the chapter-91 hearing process on a narrowly tailored amendment to section 15-217-57(c) of the Kaka'ako Mauka rules, with public notice and a follow-up decision-making hearing before the board. Staff indicated they aim to begin hearings in October so a final decision could be made before property owners lose administrative remedies.

The item also prompted discussion of whether HCDA could craft a rule allowing certification at a lower FAR than the permitted maximum; staff and board members indicated concerns that RPAD interprets exemptions narrowly, which could limit the effectiveness of such an approach. HCDA emphasized the intent to limit the rule change to address infrastructure inadequacy in Central Kakaako and to restore alignment with Ordinance 16-21's tax-exemption framework.

The motion to authorize scheduling hearings was made by Member Evans and seconded by Member Secota. The roll-call vote recorded six yes votes, zero no votes, and three excused members; Member Strikes noted his reservations in the record but voted yes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025.09.03 HCDA Kakaako Meeting Recording 640x360","oneSentenceSummary","The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority board voted to schedule public hearings to amend the 2024 Kaka'ako Mauka area rules to change the maximum floor area ratio in the Central Kakaako neighborhood zone from 3.5 to 1.5, a narrowly focused proposal staff said is intended to correct an unintended consequence that has removed some small businesses from a city tax-exemption program.","taxTitle","Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority, Executive , Hawaii","taxId",26067,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":44,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6455961,"HCDA board authorizes easement to allow grounding rod installation at Kolowalu Park",225,226000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711012-a96b7eeb7b2c6f9468a9937defb5dab6&start=226&end=451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711012-a96b7eeb7b2c6f9468a9937defb5dab6/thumbnail_226000.jpg","/articles/6455961/Hawaii/HCDA-board-authorizes-easement-to-allow-grounding-rod-installation-at-Kolowalu-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455961-b5b26472e2c6e27e5d122d3d1ed02fdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440675&Signature=Nyk0igkS3bRStDT0NjXcyls0jIrb5ecg3iDBwUV3gAtQgPXwDOa7s8iZwdy6BPIo6ZLyqGJEdsWqYVpOpIb-UCyvF2PrKIJPq2E3wexW9Lj~Cw-bpy946x6L89d2zpXW4RdI4jriD4knLkVn6jDVKjU1pDqx0H6NUMIpasK5-wNZ3RZrxnv7C5Q9qBCJCt~Qow8PyTUXNVXGoauh52EyPqVtIMFElwTdEiSdNgmIXDkrshx0av5jZFQ2ymeJNF4gX1VJXGt~LmKY35FmmVnBKJW5sgzr7MF8ri1I-HMbKVKbSbe8YHV5pHrPKrlZPU3jNFs73-H59yDl57qCD2ybDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority\u0000Kakaako board voted Sept. 3 to authorize the executive director to grant a nonexclusive easement to New Singular Wireless PCS LLC for the installation and maintenance of a grounding rod on a HECO pole adjacent to Kolowalu Park in Honolulu (TMK portions: 12-3-004-080). The motion passed with six members voting in favor and three members excused.

Asset manager Lindsey Doy presented the staff report, saying the request \"is a relatively straightforward request\" and that the work would attach a small cell site to an existing HECO pole just outside Kolowalu (Mauka) Park near the Waimanu and Queen Street intersection. Doy said the physical footprint is small (about 25 square feet) and that the easement would allow installation of a grounding rod required for safety and equipment protection. A company representative, Nicole Caldwell, was available for technical questions but no public testimony was offered on the item.

Board members asked follow-up questions about the location. Doy confirmed the grounding rod work would be inside the sidewalk/right-of-way adjacent to the HECO pole, not within the park itself, and that contractors would aim to keep impacts \"as minimally invasive as possible.\" No changes to park pedestrian circulation were described.

Member Evans made the motion to authorize the executive director to grant the easement; Member Sakoda seconded. The roll-call vote recorded the following: Member Evans — yes; Member Streets — yes; Member Sakoda — yes; Vice Chair Ishii — yes; Member Miranda Johnson — yes; Chair Sterling Higa — yes. The minutes record three members as excused (Secretary Leadstone, Member Anderson and Member Chena); the motion passed 6-0 with three excused.

The staff report directed the executive director to undertake the tasks necessary to effectuate the easement under the terms and conditions described in the packet. The board did not set a separate condition or timetable; staff indicated the company would coordinate technical details and any required permits.

The board moved to its next agenda item after the vote.","On Sept. 3 the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority\u0000(HCDA) Kakaako board voted to authorize the executive director to grant a nonexclusive easement to New Singular Wireless PCS LLC to install and maintain a grounding rod on a HECO pole adjacent to Kolowalu Park; vote was 6 yes, 3 excused.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6455952,"HCDA closes small dog park after harmful mulch dumped; street-improvement designs to go to community",223,3610000,3833000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711012-a96b7eeb7b2c6f9468a9937defb5dab6&start=3610&end=3833","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711012-a96b7eeb7b2c6f9468a9937defb5dab6/thumbnail_3610000.jpg","/articles/6455952/Hawaii/HCDA-closes-small-dog-park-after-harmful-mulch-dumped-street-improvement-designs-to-go-to-community","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455952-b59501e66d1f85f81665de2cfd82ad24/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440675&Signature=EkqntvVyah3wx~Q3ZhnT~uUwvxqoeDlgd5XbkrMKubP5v6EFmQYr8vaGjOsnZGsTEKOprIQrgeA7~-XDsBvp2pBX0kP1AVovhHI-AxVy0O3x8gyRa4X8cxdf1h~d3WaMFCWLXkD~8tcq5uQ6MZdezfp461NtBoVlfkRpSAptjF0B-1p~dO7KS3c9oIDkWDA6rj2MeELXnxYHOaDw6VCdZC9HcPP8cKhPFsDA7gYzbfmL9DCNiyQfbdn5WjjLUBXebMzxG98Z1gVpXrkJLGDaoTy3ns0gjFE0fgigvoZcOB7Pqk9Tzze1oBbDKoP8~OmCLOuM0up~sYlvuOjxwsT-sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the meeting's executive director report, HCDA Executive Director Jared Nakamoto reported that the agency has closed the small dog park at the Kakaako park indefinitely after staff discovered an unauthorized mulch deposit that is harmful to dogs. Nakamoto said the mulch that had been dumped is not the specially engineered, dog-safe product HCDA uses and will be removed by groundskeepers and landscapers.

Nakamoto described the dumped material as a substantial amount moved with wheelbarrows and contractor bags; staff estimated roughly 20 contractor-sized bags and said removal and remediation cost the agency about $500. He said the large dog park is improving after a prior long closure and that HCDA has procured replacement engineered mulch and will reinstall the correct material.

Nakamoto also reported that HCDA continues to work with consultant Wilson Okamoto on preliminary designs for a Kakaako street-improvement project and that staff expect to present those designs to the community in the fourth quarter.

Board members suggested that residents who want to help with landscape materials coordinate with HCDA rather than undertaking unpermitted work. Nakamoto said HCDA can accept monetary gifts for specific park repairs and encouraged people to contact staff before bringing or installing materials on HCDA property.

There was no public testimony on the monthly-report items and the board then adjourned.","HCDA staff reported the small dog park in Kakaako was closed after inappropriate mulch was dumped; removal cost about $500. Staff also said Kakaako street-improvement preliminary designs with consultant Wilson Okamoto will be taken to community in Q4.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

HCDA to schedule hearings to lower Central Kakaako maximum FAR after rule change affected tax exemptions

HCDA board authorizes easement to allow grounding rod installation at Kolowalu Park

HCDA closes small dog park after harmful mulch dumped; street-improvement designs to go to community