14th February 2011
Posted in Updates

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser followed up its article on the Envision Lā‘ie survey supporting “moderate growth” in Ko‘olau Loa with an editorial Friday February 11:

How things unfold as Envision Laie’s multi-use redevelopment winds its way through city and state permitting processes will depend on transparency and frankness in matters such as traffic congestion, infrastructure and land use.

Growth toward community self-sufficiency is a worthy goal — but only if the growth plan provides details for discussion on its true scale and scope.

The Envision Lā‘ie process is intended to foster “transparency and frankness.” For example, not only are the details and questions of the survey results posted on our web site, but we’ve also posted all of the presentations and summaries from previous surveys and workshops that have taken place over the last two years. In comments posted on the Star-Advertiser’s web sites, people have criticized Envision Lā‘ie for not releasing the questions of the survey and other details when they are, in fact, available for download. Here is a list of just a few of the resources available for download.

O‘ahu and Ko‘olau Loa Survey Details – Feb. 2011 View here

O‘ahu and Ko‘olau Loa Survey Presentation – Feb. 2011 View here

Ko‘olau Loa Sustainable Communities Plan (Draft) – Oct. 2010 View here

Envision Lā‘ie KSCP Proposed Amendment – June 30, 2009 View here

Envision Lā‘ie Public Meeting Powerpoint – June 23, 2009 View here

Envision Lā‘ie Priorities and Values Survey – June 15, 2009 View here

Envision Lā‘ie Open House Powerpoint – April 30, 2009 View here

Envision Lā‘ie Workshop Powerpoint – April 28-29, 2009 View here

Workshop Maps for Download on Flickr

One of the most important findings of the recent survey was that three-quarters (74%) of Ko‘olau Loa residents say they are aware of the Ko‘olau Loa Sustainable Communities Plan (KSCP) and that nearly half (49%) say that they or a family member have participated in the planning or envisioning process for the region by attending meetings or speaking out on the issues they care about. Envision Lā‘ie is about planning a future that protects quality of life and emphasizes the values of the people who live in the Ko‘olau Loa region and the only way to plan the future is to engage residents in an envisioning process. This has been and will continue to be done through workshops, open houses, surveys and online communication. In an email to Civil Beat reporter Michael Levine, HRI President Eric Beaver noted, “We believe that … knowing what the community wants is crucial to the planning process for our moku, and we feel that a scientific, statistically-valid poll is one way of getting that pulse.”