RECENT

February 11, 2006: First "Community Conversation" with Partners at Waimea Valley: A Wonderful Event!

On Saturday, February 11, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Pavilion in Waimea Valley, the Save Waimea Valley Coalition held the first "Community Conversation" on the proposed settlement. The morning was a beautiful Waimea morning, with the warm sun following a blessing of light rain as the event began.

All of the partners to the settlement were present -- including Mayor Mufi Hannemann, DLNR Director Peter Young, OHA Trustee and Chair Haunani Apoliona, Trustee Mossman, Trustee Stender, Trustee Machado, Trustee Dela Cruz, OHA Administrator Clyde Namu`o, Colonel Howard Killian, Alvin Char, and Joel Godfrey from the US Army Garrison-HI), Josh Stanbro (Trust for Public Land), National Audubon Society President John Flicker, former Waimea Audubon Center Director Diana King, George Lindsey (senior aid to Lt. Gov. Aiona), Rep. Mike Magaoay, Sen. Robert Bunda, Council Chair Donovan Dela Cruz, Councilmembers Nestor Garcia and Rod Tam, City Customer Services Director Jeff Coelho, Deputy Director of Planning and Permitting David Tanoue, and Corporation Counsel Donna Woo -- and many others! Mahalo to all the partners and special guests for joining us for this important event.

All of our guests generously shared their mana'o with the community. Most importantly, the community shared its many questions and comments with the partners.

Please click here for a copy of the written questions asked by the participants. The Coalition has asked the parters to respond to the questions and will post the replies as soon as they are available.

The conversation was productive, positive, and a great foundation for more exchange of information and views in the future.

To see the program, click here: Final Program

We hope that this web site can provide an ongoing forum for this conversation to continue.

Special thanks to the kupuna of the Piko Group who so graciously opened and closed the program.

Mahalo to everyone who made this event a big success!





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January 25, 2006: City Council Votes 8-0 To Give Preliminary Approval to New Settlement

The City Council's first hearing on the new proposed settlement was held on Wednesday, January 25. Reso. 06-017 was "laid over" (approved and forwarded) until the February 11, 2006 hearing, when it should receive final approval.

The resolution authorizes the City to obtain a conservation easement and a public access easement to the Valley in lieu of fee-simple interest for its contribution of $5.1 million (funds which the City already deposited with the Court in 2002).

The full agenda can be accessed at: http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/council/agendas.htm . For the Coalition's press release supporting the City's contributions to the new settlement, click here.

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January 20, 2006: The Coalition Announces a "Community Briefing" on February 11 at Waimea Valley

In an alert emailed to its supporters today, the Save Waimea Valley Coalition announced plans for a "Community Briefing" on the proposed settlement. The informal event will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the Pavilion.

Everyone is welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Watch this site for details.

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January 14, 2006: Coalition Gathering of Thanks

On very short notice, over 30 members of the Save Waimea Valley Coalition held an informal gathering in the valley the afternoon of Saturday, January 14, 2006, to express their thanks for the new settlement, announced the day before by Mayor Hannemann, that seeks to preserve the entire ahupua`a of Waimea through a public-private partnership.

For photos of the event, see the Who We Are page.

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January 13, 2006: New Settlement Announced To Save Waimea Valley

On January 13, 2006, the court-appointed Mediator Clyde Matsui annouced a new settlement that will save Waimea Valley from development and preserve it intact for future generations. Read the Mediator's Report here. Read the Coalition's press release here. See the News page for media reports. The final details of the settlement are expected to be finalized by March 2006 or no later than July 2006.

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December 22, 2005, Community Celebration at Waimea Valley

On December 22, 2005, community members gathered at the Pavilion in Waimea Valley to express their gratitude for the City Council's historic 9-0 vote in favor of full preservation of Waimea. Organized by Representative Mike Magaoay's office, the event gathered kupuna, keiki, residents, and other friends of Waimea Valley for an informal program, including hula and refreshments. Special thanks to all of the invited guests, especially Congressman Ed Case, Councilmember Donovan DelaCruz, Councilmember Barbara Marshall, Alvin Char, and Joshua Stanbro.

Mahalo also to Waimea Falls Grill for providing the ono food, and to the National Audubon and the Waimea Valley Audubon Center Director and staff for their support of the event.

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