Barbara Abe

Anyone familiar with the Kamilo Nui area of Hawaii Kai has probably purchased plants or flowers from the farmers at the head of the valley. Upper Kamilo Nui is still zoned Ag and leased by farmers who have operated farms and nurseries there for more than 40 years. This is some of the last undeveloped privately-owned land in Hawaii Kai.

Originally, 23 parcels were divided out of the strip of land at the head of the valley. Many who had farmed on the lush bottomland, converted by Henry Kaiser into Hawaii Kai in the 1960s, moved here. Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate (KSBE) gave them a 55-year lease until 2025. But in 2005, a mainland developer reached an agreement with the lessor to buy the 87 acres, including the fee simple ownership. Precedent had been set for the developers of Leolani, who were able to effect a zoning change from the city. The highest sale in Leolani this year has been $1,475,000, so it's no wonder developers want the land in the upper valley.

In May, the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board adopted 2 resolutions: 1) to provide for the establishment of growth boundaries to regulate new urban development, and to protect ag and open space lands from urban expansion, and 2) to require the Planning Commission to consider any amendments to the boundaries.

SB 2646 (passed by the legislature) allows ag lands to be reclassified to urban use, and bypasses the usual rezoning process. The Board went on record as urging Gov. Lingle to veto the bill.

If you want to express an opinion either way, contact your Neighborhood Board members or write Gov. Lingle. Further development will definitely affect traffic and real estate values in Hawaii Kai. Visit my web site and request my Neighborhood Reports, or email me to discuss the potential changes.

Barbara Abe, REALTOR specializing in Hawaii Kai
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
808-226-2537

The grand opening of the Hawaii Kai Dog Park June 29 was fantastic!

I was there at 8:00 to set up for opening and left at 10:45, then went back at 12:30 and was amazed at how many people and their dogs were there - and they were all thanking us - they were so happy - it is working!

The story of the creation of the park is a real lesson in community public and private partnerships. Hawaii Kai dog walk started 4 years ago to raise people's awareness of what we were trying to do and to raise money for the park. We became a 501c(3) corporation as soon as we could so that we could get donations.

In total we raised $58,500 which includes a $10,000 donation from Stanford Carr (Peninsula developer) $2,500 from D.R.Horton (Schuler Homes) $5,000 from a family foundation (we had to raise a matching $5,000 in order to get theirs) and $6,000 (fencing contractor reduced his price by that much).

In addition we had in-kind donations: a civil engineering co. provided grubbing and construction plans ($25,000 value) landscape architects provided irrigation plans ($8.200 value) and Dennis from DJNS did the property survery & staking ($11,500 value).

We also got many donations from the general public: Jack Leslein of East Oahu Realty gave $1,500 for a picnic bench, several people donated benches, my mum included, for $1,000. Even at the dog walk the week before the opening, people were writing checks for $20 and $50 in addition to the fees for the dog walk. I think the whole of Hawaii Kai is excited about it. When we gifted the park to the city our total gift was worth $103,200 - not too shabby for a group of volunteers and their dogs!

For information on pets in Hawaii, visit the Pet Page on my web site and also see photos of the grand openng ceremonies. Two weeks later, here's how many folks and their dogs are enjoying the park:

Barbara Abe, Realtor
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
808-226-2537

Sunday, June 22, 2008 was a fun day for lots of folks and their dogs, as you'll see from the photos below. We raised funds for the newly-created Hawaii Kai Dog Park and Hui 'Ilio Hawaii, the non-profit so instrumental in making the park a reality.

This year we had 350+ walkers and a great variety of dogs and (some of us) had to be there at 5:00 am to start setting up - in the dark!

Photos courtesy of Monica Schwartz, who advises, "Wag More, Bark Less!"

My web site has a page devoted just to pets in Hawaii - be sure and visit if you are thinking of moving to our Paradise. Contact me for real estate on Oahu, and especially Hawaii Kai.

Barbara Abe, REALTOR
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
808-226-2537

Other efforts the City of Honolulu is making under his leadership for a greener Oahu include Earth Hour March 29, and implementation of a fixed guideway transit system, from Kapolei to Ala Moana. Stay tuned for more information on this important transportation project.

His efforts to make a difference in the fight against global warming certainly help our real estate market. We all should be supportive.

Barbara Abe, Your Hawaii Kai REALTOR
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
http://www.movetohawaiikai.com/ http://www.barbarashawaii.com/ http://www.barbarashawaii.blogspot.com/