HONOLULU (KHON2) — A proposal to build housing in Kakaʻako for Native Hawaiians has ground to a halt.

The project by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) was rejected by state lawmakers after protesters rallied at the state Capitol on Tuesday, March 16.

SB1334 would have overturned a 2006 Hawaii state law banning all residential development in Kakaʻako Makai. It would have also freed up 30-acres of land on Kakaʻako oceanfront land, which the OHA aimed to utilize for a Native Hawaiian housing project.

OHA was trying to get an exemption to build a housing development on the makai side of Ala Moana Blvd. After it passed through the state Senate, protesters gathered at the state Capitol clad in red, ready to stop the bill that would allow development in the Kakaʻako Makai area.

They said it was critical for their voices to be heard in person.

“Before we know it, we have another Waikiki in the making, like the floodgates will open. That was the important thing about this bill that needed to be stopped,” said Ron Iwami, who serves as President of Friends of Kewalos, one of the groups that organized Tuesday’s rally.

Iwami also released the following statement:

Thousands of people flock to the ocean daily for sustenance for their body, mind, and soul. It defines who we are as island people. It should be a top priority that we protect all our shoreline lands, what little we have left for future generations to come. We need to keep this last open oceanfront land developed for public use, not 400-foot private residences. It’s too late for Waikiki, but not too late for Kaka’ako Makai.

Ron Iwami, President of Friends of Kewalos

The state gave parcels of land to OHA in the Kakaʻako Makai area ewa of Ward Ave. However, there’s a state law that bans housing development there.

State lawmakers against the project point out that it is the last remaining open area between the airport and Waikiki.

“It’s so important to make sure that our shoreline is protected, not only for the Kakaʻako residents, but for all of us and the future generations,” said Sen. Sharon Moriwaki.

After the proposal was moved to the House for more hearings, House Speaker Scott Saiki said the bill would not be heard, effectively killing it.

Saiki presented the following remarks to the crowd at the “Save Our Kakaʻako Makai” rally:

I want to inform you that I spoke with the Chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to inform her that the House will not advance S.B. 1334. As you know, the prohibition on residential development in Kakaʻako Makai has been in place since 2006. There is not a compelling reason for the Legislature to reverse this prohibition.

Some will say that I oppose S.B. 1334 because Kakaʻako Makai is a part of my House district. This is not accurate.

The issue here is larger than one person’s House district. Kakaʻako Makai is a statewide issue for all of us. Kakaʻako Makai is the last remaining parcel of viable open space between Waikiki and the airport. Preventing residential development will prevent uncontrolled development and preserve this open space for the next generation and the next-next generation.

But I want to ask that you not consider the deferral of S.B. 1334 as a “win” for your organization. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has a significant responsibility to assist its beneficiaries.OHA needs financial resources to do this. Senator Moriwaki and I will attempt to work with OHA to explore alternatives to developing Kakaʻako Makai. I ask that everyone – including all of you here today – be constructive so that we can move together on this critical issue.

Scott Saiki, House of Representatives Speaker

“Hallelujah for all the people of Hawaii, especially the next generation, the keiki,” said Iwami. “This law needs to be there so they can grow up and enjoy the area as we did.”

OHA also sent a statement saying, “We are saddened that Native Hawaiians were robbed of an opportunity to have their voices heard in a single hearing in the House of Representatives… We understand that the pursuit of justice and self-determination for Native Hawaiians continues to be a challenge… We look forward to coming back to the Legislature again next year to continue the discussion of allowing Native Hawaiians to build housing on our lands.”

Read their full remarks below:

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is deeply disappointed that a bill that would allow Native Hawaiians to develop housing in Kakaʻako Makai appears to be dead. We are saddened that Native Hawaiians were robbed of an opportunity to have their voices heard in a single hearing in the House of Representatives. 

Nevertheless, we remain steadfast. We understand that the pursuit of justice and self-determination for Native Hawaiians continues to be a challenge. We will now turn our attention to finishing our planning efforts.  

We hope that our progress over the next year will demonstrate that a Native Hawaiian vision for Kakaʻako Makai is something that the entire state will support. We look forward to coming back to the Legislature again next year to continue the discussion of allowing Native Hawaiians to build housing on our lands. 

OHA thanks our friends in the Senate for providing Native Hawaiians with a fair chance to make our case. In addition, we thank our growing number of supporters within the Native Hawaiian community and the broader public. 

Office of Hawaiian Affairs