click on image to view larger
Showing posts with label Letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Letters. Show all posts
Friday, July 27, 2012
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Letter from Target
Note: this letter did not address any of the questions or concerns that the reciever asked Target.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Letter from Rep. Chris Lee
From: "Rep. Chris Kalani Lee" repclee@capitol.hawaii.gov
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 3:42 PM
Aloha,
Thank you for taking the time to write about the proposed Target store in Kailua. I want to bring you up to date. Throughout the last year, I have heard widespread community opposition to Kaneohe Ranch's plans for a Target Store in Kailua. Hundreds of emails, letters and phone calls from residents have been received by myself and other area officials. Residents and local small businesses have been organizing in opposition, and the Kailua Neighborhood Board has passed a motion opposing the project.
Representative Cynthia Thielen, Councilman Ikaika Anderson and myself have continued to meet with Target and speak with Kaneohe Ranch about their plans. It has been frustrating that despite our previous requests, the community has not been made a real part of the process, and a real discussion about many of the issues has not yet been had. I will continue to push for an open dialogue between Kaneohe Ranch, Target, and our community. Until the community is brought on board, and until our local small businesses' concerns can be met, I remain opposed to the opening of a Target in Kailua.
Building a large big-box retailer in Kailua ignores the spirit and purpose of our planning guidelines that the community worked hard to create. The Koolaupoko Sustainable Communities Plan, "intended to help guide public policy, investment, and decision-making through the 2020 planning horizon," is specifically "oriented toward maintaining and enhancing the region's ability to sustain its unique character and lifestyle."
The plan explains that any future planning and development "should prevent the introduction of "big box" retail stores," because "development of a "big box" store or discount center would be inconsistent with the vision for Koolaupoko's future."
Concerns about the negative impact on our community from a new Target store are not limited to development. Traffic congestion in Kailua is worse now than it was six years ago, when a 2004 community survey of 2,932 Kailua residents found that "An overwhelming 86% of respondents agreed that there were traffic congestion problems in Kailua." Five community forums sponsored by Kaneohe Ranch in 2004, and a study prepared for Kaneohe Ranch in 2005, recommended that "community desires for a small town sense of place can be enhanced by pedestrian-scale development," where a parent "would feel comfortable letting a child walk ahead of them with minimal supervision." However, all Target traffic would flow directly through the recommended pedestrian friendly district, and add to the existing congestion in Kailua.
The largest concerns are about the loss to the small businesses that have been dedicated to our community for decades. Making Target a "one stop shop" would mean that there is little reason for customers to go anywhere else. It has been difficult for many businesses to voice their concerns because Kaneohe Ranch is their landlord. Many that have contacted us feel they must choose between either losing their business once Target comes to Kailua, or losing their lease if they speak in opposition. Kailua's success and distinction is owed to the iconic small businesses that have come to define it.
Following the Kailua Neighborhood Board's motion opposing Target, Kaneohe Ranch asked the board to rescind its motion and informed the board that Kaneohe Ranch could pursue legal action for "compensation and damages" related to their opposition to Target. Our neighborhood board is elected by our community to speak on behalf of the people of Kailua, and I have attached a letter responding to Kaneohe Ranch's threat of legal action.
Other elected officials and I are continuing to meet with Kaneohe Ranch and Target officials on behalf of the residents and small businesses of Kailua, and I will continue to push to make sure any concerns are heard and addressed. As we await the next steps by Kaneohe Ranch and Target, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Mahalo,
Representative Chris Lee
51st House District
State Capitol, Room 313
415 S. Beretania St. Honolulu, HI 96813
Ph: (808)586-9450 Fax: (808)586-9456
repclee@capitol.hawaii.gov
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 3:42 PM
Aloha,
Thank you for taking the time to write about the proposed Target store in Kailua. I want to bring you up to date. Throughout the last year, I have heard widespread community opposition to Kaneohe Ranch's plans for a Target Store in Kailua. Hundreds of emails, letters and phone calls from residents have been received by myself and other area officials. Residents and local small businesses have been organizing in opposition, and the Kailua Neighborhood Board has passed a motion opposing the project.
Representative Cynthia Thielen, Councilman Ikaika Anderson and myself have continued to meet with Target and speak with Kaneohe Ranch about their plans. It has been frustrating that despite our previous requests, the community has not been made a real part of the process, and a real discussion about many of the issues has not yet been had. I will continue to push for an open dialogue between Kaneohe Ranch, Target, and our community. Until the community is brought on board, and until our local small businesses' concerns can be met, I remain opposed to the opening of a Target in Kailua.
Building a large big-box retailer in Kailua ignores the spirit and purpose of our planning guidelines that the community worked hard to create. The Koolaupoko Sustainable Communities Plan, "intended to help guide public policy, investment, and decision-making through the 2020 planning horizon," is specifically "oriented toward maintaining and enhancing the region's ability to sustain its unique character and lifestyle."
The plan explains that any future planning and development "should prevent the introduction of "big box" retail stores," because "development of a "big box" store or discount center would be inconsistent with the vision for Koolaupoko's future."
Concerns about the negative impact on our community from a new Target store are not limited to development. Traffic congestion in Kailua is worse now than it was six years ago, when a 2004 community survey of 2,932 Kailua residents found that "An overwhelming 86% of respondents agreed that there were traffic congestion problems in Kailua." Five community forums sponsored by Kaneohe Ranch in 2004, and a study prepared for Kaneohe Ranch in 2005, recommended that "community desires for a small town sense of place can be enhanced by pedestrian-scale development," where a parent "would feel comfortable letting a child walk ahead of them with minimal supervision." However, all Target traffic would flow directly through the recommended pedestrian friendly district, and add to the existing congestion in Kailua.
The largest concerns are about the loss to the small businesses that have been dedicated to our community for decades. Making Target a "one stop shop" would mean that there is little reason for customers to go anywhere else. It has been difficult for many businesses to voice their concerns because Kaneohe Ranch is their landlord. Many that have contacted us feel they must choose between either losing their business once Target comes to Kailua, or losing their lease if they speak in opposition. Kailua's success and distinction is owed to the iconic small businesses that have come to define it.
Following the Kailua Neighborhood Board's motion opposing Target, Kaneohe Ranch asked the board to rescind its motion and informed the board that Kaneohe Ranch could pursue legal action for "compensation and damages" related to their opposition to Target. Our neighborhood board is elected by our community to speak on behalf of the people of Kailua, and I have attached a letter responding to Kaneohe Ranch's threat of legal action.
Other elected officials and I are continuing to meet with Kaneohe Ranch and Target officials on behalf of the residents and small businesses of Kailua, and I will continue to push to make sure any concerns are heard and addressed. As we await the next steps by Kaneohe Ranch and Target, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Mahalo,
Representative Chris Lee
51st House District
State Capitol, Room 313
415 S. Beretania St. Honolulu, HI 96813
Ph: (808)586-9450 Fax: (808)586-9456
repclee@capitol.hawaii.gov
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Letter from Lawyer
· It clearly states in our “Ko'olaupoko Sustainable Communities Plan” (KSCP) – No big box stores in our community!! Didn’t Kaneohe Ranch advise Target of this KSCP stating “no big box” stores?? (Wikipedia definition: “Big-box store is a physically large retail establishment, usually part of a chain … ie. Target” )
Letter that follows from the lawyers of Kaneohe Ranch to our Neighborhood Board, the elected representatives of our Kailua
On November 9, 2010, our Kailua Neighborhood Board adopted a resolution, which requested the Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu
On November 12, 2010, the law firm of McCorriston Miller Mukai Mackinnon LLP, who represents Kaneohe Ranch, sent a letter to the Kailua Neighborhood Board advising them that the resolution is “illegal and improper” and requested the resolution be “rescinded immediately”. (click on images on left to view larger)
What about the legal rights of the Kailua Community? The Ko'olaupoko Sustainable Communities Plan was created in 1999 to protect all of Ko'olaupoko, including Kailua
The Kailua Neighborhood Board is doing what is right for the people they represent. Shouldn’t the City Council be held accountable to the same standards?
Which Law Firm will represent the people of Kailua
Shame on Kaneohe Ranch for having their lawyers send such a threatening letter to the very Board that represents the community that supports Kaneohe Ranch’s economic existence! Our Neighborhood Board represents the people of Kailua
Please email, write or call and communicate your concerns, especially to the following people:
Mitch D'Olier: mitch@kaneoheranch.com
Mayor Peter Carlisle: mayor@honolulu.gov
David Tanoue (DPP Acting Director): dtanoue@honolulu.gov
Robert Sumitomo (DPP Deputy Director): rsumitomo@honolulu.gov
Mitch D'Olier: mitch@kaneoheranch.com
Mayor Peter Carlisle: mayor@honolulu.gov
David Tanoue (DPP Acting Director): dtanoue@honolulu.gov
Robert Sumitomo (DPP Deputy Director): rsumitomo@honolulu.gov
Full contact list on our blogsite: see 'CONTACTS' link on the right
Friday, November 12, 2010
Keep It Kailua - letter
Please see letter shown on the left (click image to view larger) that was sent to Mr. Gregg Steinhafel, President, Chief Executive Officer, Target Corporation from Keep It Kailua asking him to veto the company's plan to bring a 130,000 sq ft Target store to Kailua, O'ahu, Hawai'i, population 50,000.This is not a letter opposing Target as a company. It is a request that Target find a more suitable location on O'ahu.
Keep It Kailua is a grassroots community group founded in 2004 whose purpose is to retain Kailua's family oriented residential character and quality of life. Keep It Kailua's goals are to: Protect residential zoning and promote permanent residency in our neighborhoods; preserve and enhance scenic, civic, recreational and cultural features that define Kailua's sense of place; protect water resources essential to the health of the environment; preserve trees and maintain open green space; promote walking and the use of non-motorized bicycles as alternatives to automobile transportation within and around the town; promote businesses that serve the residential community and support other community groups with similar goals.
Email: KeepItKailua@hotmail.com
Email: KeepItKailua@hotmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)