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With the expiration of commercial ground leases in downtown Kailua, and the subsequent returning of properties back to Kaneohe Ranch for re-development, 2004 was an appropriate time to commence on a community-wide planning process. The process focused on Kaneohe Ranch’s 44 acres of commercial land in downtown Kailua, 7 acres of residential land on Kailua Road, the 7 acre Hamakua Triangle property and 65 acres on the Hamakua Hillside.
Kaneohe Ranch retained Group 70 International, a leading urban design and architecture firm based in Honolulu, to facilitate this process. The process was started with a survey, prepared by Ward & Associates, mailed to all residents in the Kailua 96734 zip code. There were 2,832 responses to this extensive questionnaire which provided great insight and direction from the residents of Kailua for their future of the town. Following the survey Group 70 held five community-wide public meetings, each 4-5 hours long. In addition many other meetings were held with various community groups and input was drawn from prior relevant studies.
The major themes that were developed from the “charrette” process in these public discussions were;
- Lifestyle- Characterization of desired lifestyles for various groups.
- Major Themes- Major themes that support these lifestyles.
- Configuration- Physical improvements that characterize the major themes.
- Supporting Themes- Detail themes that are not quite major themes but that are important in achieving the lifestyle for the place.
- Details- Signature items that define the place. These may be built features, natural resources, cultural icons, and other defining elements.
Rendering of Greening Initiatives
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After great discussion on these five items there was consensus that the overall “Major Planning Themes” proposed at these public meetings with the Kailua community were;
- Diverse community that fosters strong multi-generational families and a greater sense of community, incorporating the principles of smart growth.
- Stewardship of the ecosystem- preserving and improving the health of natural resources while enhancing public access.
Rendering of Increasing Public Access to Natural Ecosystem
The “sub-themes” generated from this planning process were;
- Residential character
- Safe community
- Central gathering place
- Community friendly to small business
- Holistic approach to planning
- Lively, not crowded
- Integrate transportation modes
- Cultural stewardship
- Historic continuity
The entire “Kaneohe Ranch Kailua Community Planning Process- Draft Report, June 2005, is available in pdf format by clicking on the tab below.
It is important to remember that the planning process and resulting strategy represents a point in the physical planning process. It is a dynamic plan, intended to identify possible actions within a 15-20 year planning period, which will undergo constant refinement based on market opportunities and continued public discussion.
Report to the Kailua Neighborhood Board on the status of the Community Planning Process (PDF)
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