HISTORIC PRESERVATION

MANOA VALLEY SPECIAL DISTRICT (MVSD) PROTECTION OF MANOA

In 1995 & 1996 a series of workshops, open to all Manoa residents and well publicized through the newsletters and brochures distributed to all residents, led to the decision that community support was strong for protection of the tree lined streets, period architecture, mountain vistas, and quiet residential character of the valley. A Design Guidelines Committee, chaired by John Whalen, recommended the creation of a Manoa Valley Special District by city ordinance, in order to establish zoning rules designed specifically for the unique features of Manoa. In January 1995, the proposed ordinance was submitted for preliminary review to the City Department of Land Utilization. To publicize a crucial workshop of the proposed ordinance in June 1995, a one-page flyer was distributed by a canvass walk to almost every home in the valley, summarizing the proposed draft and inviting all residents to attend. In addition, 7,000 were mailed to every registered voting household in Manoa, to assure that no one could say they were not informed.

Additional workshops, again well publicized, were held and revisions made to the proposed ordinance in order to meet concerns on restrictions of lot coverage and front-yard standards. While the Manoa Neighborhood Board and a large number of Manoa residents approved of the concept of the proposed guidelines, the lack of a consensus among the residents led the Board of Directors to delay submission of the proposed ordinance in order to allow time to further inform residents of the need for the ordinance and the consequences of no action.

"Manoa: A Community Guides Its Future," a 12 minute 1996 video captures the memories, personal histories and hopes for the future of eight Manoa residents and admirers. Against the panorama of the valley's verdant Ko'olau Mountains, residents explain the need for a Special District Ordinance to protect this historic rainforest community.

SPAN AND OPPOSITION TO HECO'S 138 Kv LINE ON WA'AHILA RIDGE

Safe Power Action Network (SPAN) was the vehicle used from 1997-99 to bring together groups who were concerned about the proposed 138 kV line on Wa'ahila Ridge. Malama received funding from three foundations: Gerbode, Cooke and Atherton, to hire a SPAN coordinator to help educate the public about the negative effects of this project. In addition, a Preservation Services Fund grant from National Trust for Historic Preservation helped pay for a professional photographer to do computer visualizations to show how the proposed lines would look. In 1997 the National Trust selected Wa'ahila Ridge for their "11 Most Endangered..." list.

In 1998 a press conference in front of the PUC Office, and a rally in front of the State Capitol helped to bring public attention to the issue. SPAN sponsored two community briefings at Ala Wai School in June. Malama volunteers collected thousands of comments on postcards, which were submitted along with over 100 extensive comments from concerned citizens and groups during the 45-day draft EIS public comment period. The final EIS was rejected by the DLNR in January 1999, requiring HECO to resubmit a draft EIS. The revised final EIS was accepted by DLNR Chair, Timothy Johns in 2000 with many concerns expressed in a 29-page letter.

In 1999 Malama co-sponsored an "Empowering The Community" conference with the UH Department of Urban and Regional Planning and SPAN on August 28, 1999. The keynote speaker at this event was Professor Lawrence Susskind, an internationally acclaimed environmental and public dispute mediator.

In 2001 Malama organized a Petition Campaign in preparation for the Conservation District Use Application (CDUA) Public Hearing held on March 22 at the State Capitol. Public awareness of this issue was heightened with notices in both major newspapers. By summer over 10,000 petitions opposed to the project had been collected. November 1 Malama joined with Life of the Land and The Outdoor Circle in a CDUA Contested Case Hearing. Corey Park and Pam Bunn, attorneys from Paul, Johnson, Park and Niles represented Malama before the Judge. The final decision on whether to DENY or grant HECO's request to build the transmission line on Wa'ahila Ridge which is in a Conservation Zone was made by the seven members of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. They voted to DENY the permit in June 2002.

NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION WEEK

National Historic Preservation Week has been celebrated each year since 1993 with public presentations by leading preservationists Beatrice Krauss, Dr. William Murtagh, Gerald Takano, and Spencer and Michael Leineweber. A 1997 Walking Tour of Manoa with Spencer Leineweber was a huge success with 66 participants.

In 1997 Malama sent 19 delegates to the Historic Hawaii Foundation (HHF) Conference in Kapolei, which included inspirational island and mainland speakers as well as a Ford Island tour.

In 1998, Malama co-sponsored a Historic Preservation Week Conference with HHF. It included an all-day teachers' workshop led by Hettie Jordan-Villanueva from the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in NYC; trolley, cemetery, and house tours; as well as a "Feels Like Sunday in Manoa" performance.

In 1999 Malama sent six delegates to the HHF Conference in Kona, HI.

In 2000 Malama sponsored a Historic Walking Tour of the College Hills Neighborhood as part of the Historic Hawaii Foundation's annual conference. An overwhelmingly enthusiastic 350 persons toured the area on June 3, 2000.

In 2001 Malama sent two delegates to the HHF conference in Lahaina, Maui.

MANOA HISTORIC HOMES HISTORIC WALK

On May 18, 2003 Malama o Manoa sponsored a walking tour of historic Manoa neighborhoods. The 2-mile walk through lower Manoa Valley featured over 75 historic properties listed on the State Register of Historic Places and seven of the homes were opened for tours. Over 400 people took part in the tour, held in celebration of National Historic Preservation Week. The tour ended with a gracious reception at the home of University President and Mrs. Evan Dobelle, with refreshments and musical entertainment.

The $20 tour included a map, visor, and comprehensive booklet picturing the historic homes, written and edited by Joan and Duncan Dempster and Linda LeGrande. Excellent publicity efforts and pre-event brochures by Beverly Major and Dawn Yoshimura were significant in making the event a success. Dozens of volunteers on the day of the event worked setting up registration tents, security in homes, taking tickets, and shuttling. The event raised over $13, 500. It is planned again for May 29, 2005.

NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE DELEGATE

Each year Malama sends a delegate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference held each October in various mainland cities: Delegates attending include Helen Nakano ('95) to Ft. Worth, TX, Kozen Kaneshiro ('96) to Chicago, IL, Barbara Lowe ('97) to Santa Fe, NM, Beryl Blaich ('98) to Savannah, GA, Mike Durant ('99) to Wash, DC Joe Farber (00) to Los Angeles, CA, George Arizumi (01) to Providence, RI, Thalya DeMott (02) to Cleveland, OH, Linda LeGrande (03) to Denver, CO, Naomi Ohta (04) to Louisville, KY and Aurora Fruehling (05) to Portland, OR.