10th February 2011
Posted in Updates

Michael Levine from Civil Beat provides more details in a story today on the survey commissioned by Envision Lā‘ie that showed support for “moderate growth” in Ko‘olau Loa (a subscription is required to read the entire story, but here are a few brief excerpts):

Ward Research President Becki Ward told this reporter Wednesday that her client was Heart + Mind Strategies, which in turn had Envision Laie as its client.

When a party with a vested interest pays for a poll, it can throw the result in doubt. But Ward said the Koolau Loa poll was above board.

The company employs “random digit dialing” to come up with its phone participants, she said. That method was combined with an online survey. Detailed poll method results show that 400 respondents were reached over the phone, while 432 participated online.

As was posted yesterday on www.envisionlaie.com, the survey was conducted by nationally recognized Heart+Mind Strategies in partnership with Honolulu-based Ward Research for Envision Lā‘ie. A total of 832 O’ahu residents, including 157 residents from the Ko’olau Loa District were polled for this survey. The Civil Beat story also said:

Opponents of the development have complained that their voices have been drowned out at community meetings held by the developer. On Dec. 7 — the day before the poll began — proponents in blue shirts packed Kahuku High School’s cafeteria for a public meeting. The survey was conducted between Dec. 8 and Dec. 17, 2010.

Asked if she believes the poll results are a fair representation of public opinion, Ward said: “I certainly do because I know how we collected the data. And I wouldn’t be comfortable with our name going out associated with it if it’s not.”

To download a pdf with details on specific questions and methodology (including the method results quoted in the Civil Beat article, please click here and here.