!    Limit the expansion of commercial centers and economic activity in the region to promote the development and growth of employment in the Primary Urban Center, and potentially the designated secondary urban center in the Ewa Development Plan Area.

!    Maintain the region=s predominantly low-rise, low-density form of residential development.

!    Avoid flood damage, slippage and other problems associated with development of steep slopes and sites with expansive soils.

!    Utilize the design capacity of Kalanianaole Highway, the region=s key component of transportation, as a means to manage urban growth.

!    Preserve scenic views of ridges, upper valley slopes, shoreline areas from Kalanianaole Highway and from popular hiking trails that extend from Koko Head to Makapuu Head.

!    Promote access to mountain and shoreline resources for recreational purposes and traditional hunting, fishing, gathering, religious, and cultural practices.

2.1    VISION STATEMENT

The vision for East Honolulu extends to the year 2020. This is the horizon that was used to project potential residential development capacity of the region. Between 1995 and 2020, East Honolulu is projected to experience minimal population growth. According to projections prepared in 1995 by the City's Planning Department, East Honolulu=s population might be expected to increase from 45,850 in 1995 to approximately 51,800 by 2020, or by less than one percent per year. Population growth of this magnitude is not expected to generate significant demand for additional commercial development in the region. As discussed below, the vision for East Honolulu focuses on the long-term protection of community resources and adapting to changing community needs.

2.1.1    Protect Community Resources
The East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan provides a vision for preservation, conservation, and enhancement of community resources.

!         Preserve Cultural and Historical Resources. These resources will be preserved by retaining visual landmarks and significant views, and by preserving significant historic, cultural, and archaeological features from East Honolulu=s past.

!        The Koko Head-Makapuu scenic district;

!        Ridge-and-valley neighborhoods;

!        Mauka-makai recreational access;

!        Protection and preservation of natural areas;

!        Housing stability;

!        Hawaii Kai Town Center; and

!        Neighborhood-oriented services.

2.2.1.1    Urban Community Boundary
The Urban Community Boundary is established to define and contain the intended extent of urbanized or Abuilt-up@ areas within the East Honolulu district. The purpose is to accommodate modest increases in population, to provide adequate lands for facilities or other groupings of built uses needed to support established communities while protecting lands outside this boundary for agriculture and other resource and open space values. Areas within this boundary characteristically include extensive tracts of residential or commercial development clearly distinguishable from undeveloped or more Anatural@ portions of the region=s environment. The Urban Community Boundary may include areas designated Apark@ or Apreservation,@ or areas with development-related hazards such as steep slopes or unstable soils; it is intended these areas will not be developed with uses unsuitable to their designations or in ways that may tend to exacerbate those hazards.

The purpose of the Urban Community Boundary (see Figure 2-1) is to confine the spread of urban development while providing sufficient inventory of developable land to accommodate anticipated urban growth in the region through 2020. It is generally coterminous with the State Urban District boundary, but excludes the following areas of the State Urban District:

!    Undeveloped areas in Kamilonui Valley which are adjacent to existing agricultural uses;

!    Large tracts of undeveloped lands at higher elevations that are prominently visible from the coastal highway or other public areas and are desirable natural scenic features; and

!    Significant undeveloped Urban District land areas which the U.S. Geological Survey has identified as suspect areas for land movement.   ^{(See footnote 1)}  (see Figure 2-2).

!     Support General Plan Policy. Consistent with General Plan policy Housing Objective B, Policy 1, which aims to encourage the State government to coordinate its urban-area designations with the developmental policies of the City and County, the Urban Community Boundary indicates an appropriate adjustment to the State Land Use Urban District boundary.

!     Support Agricultura l Uses. Two areas in Hawaii Kai are placed outside of the Urban Community Boundary to recognize agricultural lots whose lease terms extend beyond 2020. Preventing the encroachment of suburban residential development within and surrounding these subdivisions supports active use of these lots for agricultural purposes.

!     Protect Natural and Scenic Resources. By contracting the potential area for new urban development through the Urban Community Boundary, significant natural landscape features can be protected from physical changes that will permanently impair their scenic value. These scenic landscape elements include the ridges and valley walls that are visible from Kalanianaole Highway, particularly in the area between Koko Head and Makapuu Point (see Figure 2-4).

2.2.1.2    Agriculture Boundary
The Agriculture Boundary is established to protect the region=s agricultural lands for their economic and open space values. The primary use of all lands within the Agriculture Boundary must be agriculture or directly supportive of the agriculture industry.

Two areas in Hawaii Kai are placed within the Agriculture Boundary to recognize agricultural lots whose lease terms extend beyond 2020 (i.e., the farm lot subdivisions in Kamilonui Valley and adjacent to Kaiser High School). In addition, undeveloped areas in Kamilonui Valley which are adjacent to existing agricultural uses are placed within the Agriculture Boundary. Preventing the encroachment of suburban residential development within and surrounding the existing subdivisions supports active use of these lots for agricultural purposes.

2.2.1.3    Preservation Bo undary
The Preservation Boundary is established to protect undeveloped lands which form an important part of the region=s open space fabric but that are not valued primarily for agricultural uses. Such lands include important wildlife habitat, archaeological or historic sites, significant landforms or landscapes over which significant views are available, and development-related hazard areas.

The Preservation Boundary generally circumscribes undeveloped lands that:

C    Are necessary for protection of watersheds, water resources and water supplies;

C    Are necessary for the conservation, preservation and enhancement of sites with scenic, historic, archaeological or ecological significance;

C    Are necessary for providing and preserving park lands, wilderness and beach reserves, and for conserving natural ecosystems of endemic plants, fish and wildlife, for forestry, and other activities related to these uses;

C    Are located at an elevation below the maximum inland line of the zone of wave action, and marine waters, fishponds, and tidepools unless otherwise designated;

Nowhere else on the island, with the exception of the Kaena coastline, are there elements of a natural environment in one large, contiguous area of undeveloped open space. Unlike Kaena, however, the Koko Head-Makapuu coastline is easily accessible by vehicle. While easy access benefits the public=s recreational needs, it can also contribute to degradation of the area=s resources. Overuse, misuse, and potential urban encroachment, particularly in the Queen=s Beach vicinity, are pressures which threaten the integrity of this coastal area.

The resources of the Koko Head-Makapuu region should be protected and enhanced. The publicly owned Koko Head Regional Park, which includes Hanauma Bay Beach Park and Sandy Beach Park, should continue to provide world-class recreational opportunities, but at the same time the value of these resources must be protected from overuse. Visual resources of the Queen=s Beach and Queen=s Rise sections should also be protected through creation of the proposed Ka Iwi scenic shoreline.

Hawaii Kai, located in the eastern portion of the region, is a large, mixed-use master planned community containing a broad mix of housing types. It was inaugurated on a grand scale in the 1960s with the dredging of the coastal wetland for a marina, housing subdivisions, and apartment complexes. The master plan encompassed several geographic subareas: the Marina, Hahaione Valley, Mariner=s Ridge, Kamilonui Valley, Kamiloiki Valley, Kamehame Ridge, Kalama Valley, and Queen's Beach. Most of these areas have been fully developed, except for Queen's Beach, which has been designated for preservation.

Kalanianaole Highway is the linkage between these hillside and valley neighborhoods. It is a major route for joggers and bicyclists, as well as vehicles, and its attractively landscaped median helps to unify the image of East Honolulu as a distinct region.

With most of Oahu=s future population growth being directed to the Ewa and Central Oahu regions, no major developments are expected in East Honolulu. Growth in East Honolulu should occur by infilling existing built-up areas rather than spreading development onto steep slopes, higher elevations, undeveloped mountain ridges and valley walls, or deeper recesses of the valleys.

The character of existing neighborhoods must not only be protected, but also enhanced through effective design of public and private infrastructure and other community facilities. East Honolulu=s existing communities may need to adapt facilities and services to accommodate the changing composition of the region=s population (see Section 2.2.6).

2.2.4    Expand Access to Recreational Areas
The Koolau Mountain Range provides a wealth of hiking, hunting, and camping opportunities. It is important that access to publicly owned trails be made as unrestricted as possible. Communities, both open and gated, should cooperate with the State to ensure that visitor parking and access to trails are provided to the public. If these agreements do not work, consideration should be given to condemning land and acquiring public ownership of easements.

Shoreline access has been less problematic in East Honolulu. Existing beach access and rights-of-way should remain and new shoreline access ways should be acquired as the opportunities arise. In particular, at least three public access points should be acquired along Portlock Road in order to meet the City=s standard of public shoreline access at approximately one-quarter mile intervals. Furthermore, access to the Queen=s Beach shoreline, which extends from Koko Head Regional Park to Makapuu Point, should be improved through the creation of the proposed Ka Iwi scenic shoreline.

!    Ihiihilauakea Preserve;

!    Hanauma Bay Marine Life Conservation District; and

!    Queen=s Beach (Ka Iwi scenic shoreline).

2.2.6    Adapt Housing Supply to Changing Demographics
East Honolulu should remain a relatively stable residential area, with only modest growth in housing stock or changes in household characteristics. In 1990, the owner occupancy rate for East Honolulu was approximately 79 percent compared to 49 percent for the island as a whole. Between 1995 and 2020, the population in East Honolulu is projected to increase by only about 6,000 residents. With minimal population growth, housing stability in East Honolulu will not be affected by rapid growth and new developments.

The composition of East Honolulu=s population, however, could have an impact. East Honolulu has a significant and growing proportion of elderly residents. In 1990, 11.5 percent of the area=s population was 65 years of age or older, an increase from 9.3 percent in 1980. This aging trend, however, is not consistent throughout the region. In the Kuliouou/Kalani Iki area, 17.0 percent of the 1990 population were in the 65 years old and over category. In comparison, only about 7.9 percent of Hawaii Kai residents belonged to this age group.

While this aging trend is consistent with the rest of the island B Oahu=s proportion of elderly residents increased from 7.3 percent in 1980 to 10.9 percent in 1990 B the growth rate of East Honolulu=s elderly population has outpaced that of Oahu as a whole. Between 1980 and 1990, the number of elderly residents in East Honolulu increased by 119.2 percent, compared to an islandwide elderly population growth of 65.2 percent. The aging population in East Honolulu and the island in general is expected to continue into the next century, indicating an increasing need for geriatric services, including long-term and care home services, and alternative living accommodations for seniors, such as retirement communities and group homes.

2.2.7    Focus Commercial Centers on Serving the Region = s Neighborhoods
East Honolulu=s commercial areas should continue to be oriented primarily to the region=s residential community. General Plan policy discourages major new employment growth in this region. Any significant retail and office expansion in this region would countervail the General Plan policy to direct job growth to the Primary Urban Center and Secondary Urban Center. Furthermore, given the small amount of population growth that is forecast for East Honolulu, there is expected to be only modest growth in the demand for commercial land uses to support the communities of this region.

The Hawaii Kai Towne Center, with over 200,000 square feet of gross leasable area, is East Honolulu=s largest retail complex and includes Abig box@ stores that attract shoppers from outside the region. It is expected to maintain its role as the region=s major commercial center. Its present floor area could be increased to accommodate more retail establishments to fulfill future demand without any expansion of land area.

The smaller Koko Marina Shopping Center serves a dual market, containing specialty stores and services oriented to both local residents and tourists, particularly visitors to Hanauma Bay. Since it is likely that the number of visitors to the scenic and recreation area between Koko Head and Makapuu Head will increase, the future tenant mix at Koko Marina may shift to visitor-oriented services.

East Honolulu=s five other retail complexes, those at the community and neighborhood scale, are spaced at somewhat even intervals between Aina Haina and Kalama Valley. The market areas of the Aina Haina, Niu Valley, Hahaione Valley, Hawaii Kai, and Kalama Valley shopping centers are limited mostly to the communities for which they are named, emphasizing food and household products and personal services. None of these retail areas should require additional land area for expansion. Presently, the Kalama Village Center is underleased, primarily because it serves a very limited market area which is not expected to grow significantly. Consequently, the land presently planned for expansion of this commercial center should be redesignated for residential use.

3.1    OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Open space preservation and development is a key element of the vision for East Honolulu=s future. Long-term protection and preservation of scenic resources, natural areas, and recreational areas are important to maintaining the desirability and attractiveness of East Honolulu for both residents and visitors.

3.1.1    General Policies
Open space will be used to:

!    Promote access to shoreline and mountain areas;

!    Define the boundaries of communities;

!    Provide fire safety buffers where developed areas border Awildlands@ either in preservation areas within the Urban Community Boundary or in the State Conservation District; and

!    Create a linear system of landscaped pathways along roadways and drainage channels.

3.1.3.1    Mountain Areas
Seventeen major trails, inventoried by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), provide access to the mountainous areas of East Honolulu. Three of these trails (see Figure 3-1) are actively managed by the State=s Na Ala Hele program:

!     Kuliouou Valley Trail. Beginning at the back of Kuliouou Valley, this trail runs for 0.6 mile to approximately the 440 foot contour.

!     Kuliouou Ridge (Koko Head) Trail. This 2.5-mile trail is an extension of the Kuliouou Valley trail, extending to the crest of the Koolaus.

To protect important resource values in the State Conservation District, steps also need to be taken to control the number and range of feral animals and other alien species and prevent overuse and misuse by humans in selected areas, such as habitats of native and endangered species.

Guidelines pertaining to mountain areas are as follows:

!    Provide public parking for trail users near the trailhead.

!    Maintain, protect, and/or restore native forests in the State Conservation District.

!    Avoid disturbances caused by utility corridors and other uses on areas with high concentrations of native species.

!    Identify and protect endangered species habitats and other important ecological zones from threats such as fire, alien species, feral animals, and human activity.

!    Encourage continued use of small lots for agricultural uses and promote compatibility of nearby residential areas with those uses. Land use policy should explicitly promote maintenance of an adequate buffer between agricultural lands and new residential development with consideration given to topographic barriers, prevailing winds, and the noise or air-borne emissions associated with the type of agricultural operation.

!    Designate undeveloped areas in Kamilonui Valley which are on the ewa side of the existing farm lots for agricultural use.

!    Promote long-term agricultural leases at reasonable rates consistent with feasible agricultural use by having such areas remain outside the Urban Community Boundary and placing those areas within the Agriculture Boundary.

!    Alter natural gulches within the Urban Community Boundary that are necessary to provide flood protection in a way which preserves aesthetic and biological values to the extent possible, and avoids degradation of stream, coastline and near shore water quality. For example, impacts on biological habitat may be mitigated, as appropriate, by using v-shaped bottom channels for periods of low stream flow, rip-rap boulder lining of stream banks, and streamside vegetation to shade and cool the waters of the stream.

!    Design and site structural improvements and landscaping in community-based parks in such a way as to create or add to the aesthetic value of these open space elements.

!    Optimize the function of golf courses as passive drainageways, maximizing their potential to retain or detain stormwater runoff.

!    Provide safe access through golf courses, as necessary, for regional continuity of pedestrian and bicycle systems.

!    When necessary for safety reasons, use screening, landscape treatment, setbacks and modifications to the course layout rather than fencing or solid barriers.

!    Lateral shoreline access along some reaches of the beach from Maunalua Bay to Waialae Beach Park is a desirable goal, but difficult to achieve because of physical constraints, land ownership patterns and the extent of urban development. As an alternative, pursue opportunities to acquire additional pedestrian rights-of-way from the highway to the shoreline in sections which have high recreational value but no similar public access within at least a quarter-mile.

!    Provide additional public access to the shoreline from Portlock Road at approximately one-quarter mile intervals.

!    Require additional minimum setbacks for structures near the shoreline and implement other management strategies to protect unstable sandy beach areas at Paiko Peninsula and Portlock.

!    Place high priority on maintaining the untamed landscape quality of the Koko Head to Makapuu viewshed. Any modification to this shoreline area should be done in a manner which preserves the aesthetic values of the undeveloped xerophytic landscape.

!    Protect and preserve the long-term recreational and scenic value of the shoreline between Koko Head and Makapuu by supporting the creation of the Ka Iwi scenic shoreline.

!     Ihiihilauakea Preserve. This preserve is located on the southern rim of the Hanauma Bay ridgeline on land owned by the City and County of Honolulu, and is managed by the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii (NCH) through a cooperative agreement with the City. This preserve maintains a pool for the endangered Ihiihi (Marsilea villosa), an ephemeral plant appearing only during periods of rainfall.

!     Hanauma Bay Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD). Established in 1967 by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Hanauma Bay MLCD was once a popular site for fishing and throw netting. Wildlife within Hanauma Bay is now protected by State law. The adjoining beach park is part of Koko Head Regional Park, administered by the City. In order to protect the marine resources of this popular visitor destination, the City restricts the daily number of visitors that have access to the bay, closes the beach on Wednesday mornings, and bans smoking at the bay. The City also collects entry and parking fees used to fund maintenance and capital projects at Hanauma Bay.

!    Link the Hawaii Kai Towne Center and the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center with a pedestrian bridge in order to provide convenient access between the two commercial centers.

!    Improve pedestrian access to and along the marina=s edge. The marina should not be a barrier for those, particularly pedestrians, desiring to visit more than one destination along the waterfront. A shuttle boat transport service should be considered as a means of transporting people across the marina and providing them with easy and convenient access to various waterfront locations.

3.2.1    Overview
The City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) develops and maintains a system of park and recreation facilities which it classifies in a hierarchical manner. The largest and most specialized parks are classified as island-based parks since they serve the needs of all Oahu residents. This group includes regional parks, beach/shoreline parks, beach/shoreline right-of-ways, nature parks/reserves, botanical gardens, golf courses, and zoological parks (see Table 3-1). DPR=s standard for island-based parks is eight acres for every 1,000 persons. The location of public parks and recreation areas in East Honolulu were shown previously in Figure 3-1.

Table 3 - 1 Types of DPR Island-Based Parks

Regional Parks	Large areas that may serve the entire island or a region of the island and may include a variety of recreation park types and facilities, natural and cultural sites.
Beach/Shoreline Parks	Areas and sites along the shoreline that may include facilities and support services for water activities, sunbathing, picnicking, and other passive activities.
Beach/Shoreline Rights-of-Way	Access lanes to beaches and the shoreline where residential or other uses prevent development of a beach/shoreline park.
Nature Parks/Reserve	Areas maintained primarily to preserve or conserve unique natural features.
Botanical Gardens	Areas developed for the recreational and educational appreciation of specific types of plants and plant communities.

As shown in Table 3-2, East Honolulu contains eight island-based parks that are maintained by the DPR. A brief description of East Honolulu=s regional parks, various beach parks, and three privately operated golf courses is provided below.

Table 3 - 2 DPR Island-Based Parks in East Honolulu

Park Type/Name	Acreage
Regional Parks
Koko Head Regional Park	951.4 1
Beach/Shoreline Parks
Maunalua Bay Beach Park	5.4
Sandy Beach Park	22.6
Kawaikui Beach Park	4.1
Kuliouou Beach Park	3.2
Waialae Beach Park	4.4
Wailupe Beach Park	1.2
Subtotal	41.0
Nature Parks/Reserves
Hanauma Bay Nature Park	50.0
Botanical Gardens
Koko Crater Botanical Garden	200.0
Total	1,242.3

1 Acreage figure excludes Sandy Beach Park, Hanauma Bay Nature Park, Koko Crater Botanical Garden (listed separately) and Koko Head District Park (included in Section 3.3).

3.2.1.1    Koko Head Regional Park
The 1,264-acre Koko Head Regional Park encompasses the most popular recreation areas in East Honolulu, including:

3.2.1.2    Ka Iwi Scenic Shoreline
A 354-acre scenic shoreline area is proposed in the Queen=s Beach/Makapuu Head region of East Honolulu adjacent to Koko Head Regional Park. The Ka Iwi scenic shoreline, as it is referred to, is envisioned as a means to protect the area=s rich recreational and scenic resources. A master plan for the park was prepared in October 1995 by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution No. 261 (1988).

A mix of low and medium intensity uses is envisioned at the proposed Ka Iwi scenic shoreline. The primary purpose of the park should be to preserve the area=s natural resources and to provide educational and passive recreation opportunities.

3.2.2    General Policies
The following general policies relate to island-based parks and recreational resources in East Honolulu:

!    Maintain and enhance, to the extent possible, existing island-based parks by utilizing land area that has not been fully developed for recreation use. Island-based parks are part of the region=s abundance of natural and scenic resources and contribute to the attractiveness of East Honolulu to both residents and visitors.

!     Environmental Compatibility. Construct park facilities in a manner which avoids adverse impacts on natural resources or processes in the coastal zone or any other environmentally sensitive area. In the design of recreation areas, incorporate natural features of the site and use landscape materials that are indigenous to the area where feasible in order to retain a sense of place.

!     Community Integration. Link recreational attractions, that may be designed to have distinct identities and entries, with surrounding areas through the use of connecting roadways, bikeways, walkways, landscape features and/or architectural design.

!    Develop Ka Iwi scenic shoreline in a manner which preserves the area=s natural scenic quality and provides educational and passive recreation opportunities.

!    Protect fragile natural resources, such as the wildlife at Hanauma Bay Nature Park, from overuse through some form of management control.

!    Locate areas designed for sporting events that attract high numbers of people along major collector streets or accesses that are separated as much as possible from residential areas and wildlife habitats.

!    Minimize the visibility of perimeter fencing along major collector streets, large recreation buildings or structures, lighting, parking lots and other utilitarian elements through plantings or other appropriate visual screens adjacent to residential areas and major roadways, particularly to soften the view of the park from above at the roadside vista point along Kalanianaole Highway.

!    Locate bus stops and loading areas at principal entries and adjacent to convenient pedestrian accesses to main activity areas within the park.

!    Provide amenities and service facilities to accommodate Atailgate@ picnics in parking areas for sporting events, including shading canopy trees within the parking lot as well as nearby picnic tables and outdoor grills.

!    Modify recreation facilities in existing parks and increase access to public school facilities in areas where there is limited opportunity to expand park space to respond to changing demographic profiles or recreational needs.

!    Have new residential development provide land for open and recreation purposes in lieu of payment of a fee for park dedication purposes, if the project is of sufficient size to set aside usable land to meet neighborhood recreational needs.

!    Have master plans for development of new parks or redevelopment of existing parks provide for facilities and accessible pathways from surrounding streets to facilitate pedestrian and bicycle access to parks.

!    Continue DPR and DOE efforts to co-locate neighborhood or community parks with elementary or intermediate schools. The DPR should also explore ways, through cooperative agreements and mutual indemnifications with the DOE, to design and operate facilities to achieve efficiencies and reduce duplication in the development and use of athletic, recreation, meeting, and parking facilities.

3.4.1     Overview
In 1930, an archaeological survey of Oahu documented approximately 60 sites in the area now defined as East Honolulu.   ^{(See footnote 5)}  Many of these sites, however, have since been destroyed by the 1946 tsunami, erosion, or other land altering activities such as beach development and construction. Within the Koko Head Regional Park, for example, a survey conducted in 1988 relocated only one of five sites identified in the 1930 study. This site, the Koko Head Petroglyphs, was discovered in 1899 and is situated near the Lanai Lookout. The petroglyphs have been extensively altered by erosion and vandals since the 1930 survey, but nevertheless remain significant examples of petroglyph art.

Similarly, in the Queen=s Beach area, approximately 20 sites were documented in the 1930 survey. The features included fishing shrines, house platforms, and a habitation cave. Although survey work done in 1984 found none of these sites, the large quantity of sites recorded earlier makes it likely that subsurface cultural deposits and scattered human burials remain in the areas within and surrounding Koko Head Regional Park.

West of Koko Head, the number of archaeological sites lessens. Sites in this portion of East Honolulu consist of shelters, heiau, and burial caves. Makaniolu Shelter in Kuliouou is on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places, the only such registered site in East Honolulu.   ^{(See footnote 6)}  Makaniolu is a large cave in good condition and is a good representative of its class.

Table 3-5 lists the significant cultural and historic sites believed to be present in East Honolulu. Although not listed in the table, there are also archaeological sites on undeveloped parcels located deep within the region=s valleys. These areas have not been impacted by the tsunami of 1946 or by previous development activity. Some of these areas, however, have been subject to intensive agricultural use in the past.

For example, a recent privately initiated pedestrian survey of surface and possible subsurface material remains was conducted on a parcel located in Kamilonui Valley near the planned extension of Hawaii Kai Drive.   ^{(See footnote 7)}  Three archaeological sites were identified: a single, isolated rock pile feature; a small bedrock cavity containing a human molar; and a historic wall which was probably a remnant of a larger complex. Of these sites, only the bedrock cavity was recommended for in situ preservation.

!    Protect existing visual landmarks and support the creation of new, culturally appropriate landmarks.

!    Preserve significant historic features from earlier periods.

!    Retain, whenever possible, significant vistas associated with archaeological features.

!     Accessibility. Determine the degree of access that would best promote the preservation of the historic, cultural and educational value of the site, recognizing that economic use is sometimes the only feasible way to preserve a site. Public access to a historic site can take many forms, from direct physical contact and use to limited visual contact. In some cases, however, it may be highly advisable to restrict access to protect the physical integrity or sacred value of the site.

!    Determine the appropriate preservation methods on a site-by-site basis in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer.

!    Determine appropriate delineation of site boundaries and setbacks and restrictions for adjacent uses on a site-by-site basis in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer.

!    Include sight lines that are significant to the original purpose and value of the site in criteria for adjacent use restrictions.

!    Determine the appropriateness of public access on a site-by-site basis in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, Hawaiian cultural organizations, and the owner of the land on which the site is located.

3.5.1    Overview
With the establishment of Urban Community, Agriculture and Preservation Boundaries to contain the spread of development, housing capacity in East Honolulu will be increased by the Ainfill@ development of remaining vacant lands on the relatively level coastal plain, primarily in the Hawaii Kai area; minor subdivisions of some larger residential lots into smaller parcels at scattered locations throughout the region; and expansions of existing homes to accommodate larger households. While the development of vacant parcels is readily identified and their effects are more immediately apparent, the physical changes wrought by incremental intensification of residential use in existing built-up neighborhoods through minor subdivisions and home expansions will be slower and more subtle. Effective residential lot design standards which limit building height, coverage, paving, and removal of landscaping should be implemented to avoid the long-term cumulative impact of this gradual transformation, which could adversely affect the character of existing neighborhoods.

!    Respond to the special needs of an aging population by providing future housing development for a variety of living accommodations which are affordable to low- and moderate-income, gap group, and other elderly households; such as multi-generation households, group homes, assisted living units, and continuing care retirement communities.

!    Modify residential neighborhood street design, where appropriate, to provide greater emphasis on safe, accessible, convenient and comfortable pedestrian routes, bus stops, and bike routes, even if this requires somewhat slower travel speeds or less direct routes and fewer on-street parking spaces for automobiles. This may require review and revision of City street standards.

3.5.3    Planning Principles
!      Physical Character and Definition of Neighborhoods. Establish design guidelines to minimize long-term adverse impacts of new infill development on surrounding neighborhoods. Encourage use of sloped roof forms with wide overhangs. Enhance the boundaries of existing neighborhoods through the use of landscaping, natural features, and building form and siting. Focus neighborhood activity on the local street, common pedestrian right-of-ways, or recreation areas.

!     Transit-, Bicycle- and Pedestrian-Oriented Residential Streets. Encourage bus, pedestrian, and bicycle travel, particularly to reach neighborhood destinations such as schools, parks, and convenience stores, recognizing the need for accessible design and safe travel conditions for elderly and/or disabled people. Implement passive and active automobile traffic calming measures on residential neighborhood streets and add street trees to provide shading for sidewalks and bus stops.

!     Environmental Compatibi lity. Encourage energy efficient features, such as the use of solar panels for heating water, and passive solar design, such as the use of window recesses and overhangs and orientation of openings to allow natural cross-ventilation. Also, resource conservation measures such as water constrictors and facilities for the sorting of waste materials for recycling should be incorporated in the design of new development.

!    Residential: Dwellings in this category consist of single-family detached and attached homes or townhouses with individual entries. Density of development may range from 5-12 dwelling units per acre. Building heights generally do not exceed two stories.

!    Low-Density Apartment: This category consists of predominantly 2-3 story townhouse complexes, stacked flats, or low-rise apartment buildings; parking provision may comprise a separate story. Overall building height should not exceed 40'. Buildings may have elevators and common entries for multiple dwellings. Density of development may range from 10-30 dwelling units per acre. It is intended the Low-Density Apartment designation will be applied only to sites that have already been developed in a manner that is consistent with the density and building height guidelines for this category, and to undeveloped areas zoned A-2 Apartment District as of the effective date of this plan.* [ *Editor = s Note: AThe effective date of this plan@ is July 27, 1999.]

!    Medium-Density Apartment: This category of residential development takes the form of multistory apartment buildings with densities in the range of 25 to 90 dwelling units per acre. It is intended no new Medium-Density Apartment projects will be developed in the region; therefore, this designation is applied only to sites that have already been developed in a manner that is generally consistent with the density and building height guidelines for Medium-Density Apartment use.

For all existing developments in the Medium-Density Apartment category:

-    Maintain building height setbacks and landscaping to reduce the direct visibility of taller buildings from lower density residential areas and from the streetfront. Possibly add low-rise accessory buildings within the height setback areas to provide a visual transition from the high-rise apartment building to adjacent areas. Building height should not exceed 90 feet.

-    Consider mixed use zoning to permit limited commercial uses, primarily to serve residents of an apartment complex and the immediate neighborhood, depending on site characteristics and adequate justification for the need for such commercial uses based on demand and convenience to residents.

!    Accommodate an allowable building density of 10 to 30 units per acre, not including beds in skilled nursing facilities; designated affordable housing projects may allow densities up to 30 units per acre if designed in a manner compatible with the character of the surrounding residential community.

!    Emphasize compatibility between building height and adjacent uses, although the height may vary according to required flood elevation, slope, and roof form.

!    Employ building form, orientation, location of entries, and landscape screening to maintain the existing residential scale.

!    Ensure compatibility between building scale, roof form, and materials with those of adjacent residential areas.

!    This land use is not specifically designated on Map A-2, Urban Land Use, but is allowed in all residential areas.

3.5.4.3    Other Uses in Residential Areas

3.6    NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

This section provides an overview of nonresidential development in East Honolulu followed by general policies, planning principles, and guidelines for the location, expansion or renovation of such uses. Non-residential use includes retail commercial, office, service-oriented industrial, visitor accommodations, and institutional uses.

Table 3 -7 Office Inventory in East Honolulu

Office Building	Year Opened	Gross Leasable Area	Occupancy
Japan-America Institute of Management Science (JAIMS)	1972	257,000	100%
Koko Marina Office Space	1963	47,760	63%
Hawaii Kai Executive Plaza	1990	41,582	50%
Hawaii Kai Corporate Plaza	1987	39,355	74%
Aina Haina Professional Building	1982	22,550	na
Koko Head Plaza	1975	21,226	90%
Hawaii Kai Medical/Office Center	1987	16,598	100%

There is a probable demand for certain light industrial uses that are oriented to the Hawaii Kai community. Such uses could include, among others, small warehousing facilities and appliance and automobile repair shops. However, the anticipated demand for space in this region is not sizable and the type and scale of such uses that may be needed could be conveniently located in a large commercial center with appropriate environmental and aesthetic controls to promote compatibility with adjacent uses. Many of these types of uses are in fact already located within some of East Honolulu=s commercial centers.

East Honolulu has only one resort hotel -- the Kahala Mandarin Hotel -- that was developed nearly 30 years ago and recently underwent major renovation and change in management. No expansion of this resort hotel is anticipated.

3.6.2    General Policies
For purposes of this Plan, the various types of nonresidential uses are defined and designated in four categories: Neighborhood Commercial Center, Regional Town Center, Resort and Institutional. The policies pertaining to each of these categories are as follows:

!     Regional Town Center. Create a ARegional Town Center@ in the Hawaii Kai Marina area by strengthening the relationship between the existing commercial uses in this area, increasing the mix of uses and types of services and activities in this commercial zone, and providing more convenient transportation access and pedestrian amenities.

!     Mix of Uses in the Regional Town Center. This center will be composed of four components:

-    The Hawaii Kai Towne Center, given its size and location relative to principal travel routes in the region, should be designated as the focal point for regional shopping and services. This may include small to medium-sized Aservice-industrial@ establishments.

-     The Koko Marina Shopping Center can play a complementary role with a focus on marina and ocean recreation services, specialty shops and entertainment attractions.

-     The two office buildings are the third component of the Regional Town Center. It is possible that vacancies in these buildings may gradually be absorbed by the projected 30 percent increase in the number of service-related jobs in this region. However, it may be possible to convert some additional ground or second floor space in these buildings to retail or other commercial uses if the demand for additional office space remains weak.

-     The fourth component of the Regional Town Center is the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center. Its size and types of tenants are similar to those of a Neighborhood Commercial Center. However, because of its proximity to the other three components, it can play a supporting role in the creation of the Regional Town Center through physical linkages that are discussed below.

!     Vehicular Access

-    Access to the parking and loading areas should be from a collector street.
-    Permit access to a local residential street only if it is for emergency or secondary access and would not encourage through traffic along the local street.

!     Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities

-    There should be at least one pedestrian access from the public sidewalk or other off-site pedestrian pathway to the entrance of establishments in the commercial center that does not require crossing a traffic lane or parking lot aisle or driveway.

-    Enhance the Koko Marina Shopping Center as a recreation/entertainment-oriented commercial complex with the addition of more services for ocean recreation, restaurants, and similar attractions.

!     Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Transit Facilities

-    Provide street frontage improvements for bus stops, including a bus shelter and a pull-out off a traffic lane, along all abutting streets which have bus routes.

-    There should be a pedestrian pathway from the bus stop to an entrance to the main building of the institution or resort facility. The pathway should be clearly indicated with special paving or markings.

-    Design bicycle racks to provide security and be visible from the main street or parking entry to the institution or resort.

!     Visual Screening, Lighting and Signage

-    Buffer the noise and other adverse impacts from parking, loading, and service areas from adjacent residential areas by a combination of solid walls or berms and landscaped setbacks.

-    Plant a landscape screen, consisting of trees and hedges, along streets fronting parking lots or garages. Shade trees should be planted throughout parking lots.

Elementary schools, churches, child care centers, fire stations, and other public facility and utility uses serving the area are not specifically designated on the Urban Land Use Map, but are allowed in all residential and commercial areas, subject to appropriate zoning controls to assure compatibility with surrounding uses. The general locations of existing larger institutions, such as high schools, are indicated by special symbols.

4.1    TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

This section describes the existing road, transit, and bikeway network in East Honolulu as well as plans for future improvements. These elements are shown in the Public Facilities Map in Appendix A. The section concludes with general policies and planning principles to guide future transportation system development in East Honolulu.

4.1.1    Existing and Planned Roadway Network

4.1.1.1    Existing Roadways
The only major roadway arterial in East Honolulu is Kalanianaole Highway (State Highway 72), which links Honolulu to the communities of East Honolulu and is also a scenic, secondary route for travel between Kailua/Waimanalo and Honolulu.

Portions of the highway were recently widened and upgraded so that the entire 4.2-mile stretch between Ainakoa Avenue and Keahole Street consists of six lanes (three lanes in each direction). One of the lanes is designed as a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) contra-flow lane, thus providing four Honolulu bound lanes during the morning peak between West Halemaumau Street and Ainakoa Avenue. This lane is restricted to buses, vanpools, motorcycles, and carpools. Other improvements made to this section of the highway include left-turn lanes, bus turnouts, improved traffic control systems, and improved lighting.
Major roadway collectors in East Honolulu are those leading from Kalanianaole Highway into the ridge and valley neighborhoods. Important intersections include, but are not limited to, Kalaniiki Street, West Hind Drive, Hawaii Kai Drive, Keahole Street, and Lunalilo Home Road. Hawaii Kai Drive runs parallel to Kalanianaole Highway through parts of Hawaii Kai. However, because a section of the planned route for Hawaii Kai Drive in the Kamilonui Valley area has not been completed, it does not function as an additional mauka access route linking Maunalua Bay to Kalama Valley.

4.1.1.2    Planned Roadways
Planning and development of roadways are the responsibility of the State Department of Transportation and the City Department of Transportation Services. Roadway projects using federal transportation funds also involve the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO), a joint City-State agency.

In November of 1995, OMPO prepared the 2020 Oahu Regional Transportation Plan (ORTP). According to the ORTP, no major projects are planned for East Honolulu=s roads for the immediate term. In the 2001-2005 time period, the ORTP includes plans to extend the morning HOV lane from West Halemaumau Street to Keahole Street. The existing park-and-ride lot at Keahole Street would be served by this extension. In the 2006-2020 period, plans call for the addition of one westbound lane from Laukahi Street to the Kilauea Avenue off-ramp. These projects, however, will be re-evaluated in the 1999 update of the ORTP taking the communities' concerns into consideration.

4.1.2    Transit System
On an average weekday, a little less than 40 percent of transit trips on TheBus are between home and work. Slightly over 40 percent of weekday trips are for other home-based trips (to school, shopping, etc.) The remainder are nonhome-based trips and trips made by visitors.   ^{(See footnote 8)} 

East Honolulu is serviced by nine bus routes (see Table 4-1). Bus service in Hawaii Kai is complemented by a park-and-ride facility on Keahole Street across from the Hawaii Kai Towne Center. Park-and-ride facilities, which serve as a central access point for buses and autos, are ideal for lower density areas such as Hawaii Kai.

Table 4 - 1 Bus Routes Servicing East Honolulu

!     Bicycle Lane. A portion of a roadway designated by striping, signing, and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles. Through travel by motor vehicles or pedestrians is not allowed unless specified by law, rule, or ordinance; however, vehicle parking may be allowed for emergencies. Crossflows by motorists to gain access to driveways or parking facilities are allowed; pedestrian crossflows to gain access to parked vehicles, bus stops, or associated land use are allowed.

!     Bicycle Path. A completely separated right-of-way normally designated for the exclusive or semi-exclusive use of bicycles. Through travel by motor vehicles is not allowed unless specified by law, rule, or ordinance. Where such a facility is adjacent to a roadway, it is separated from the roadway by a significant amount of open space and/or a major physical barrier (such as trees or a considerable change in ground elevation).

The State=s bikeway master plan proposes substantial additions to East Honolulu=s bikeway system. Proposed bike lanes would extend from Kalanianaole Highway into Aina Haina, Niu Valley, Hahaione Valley, and Hawaii Kai. A bike route is proposed to be established along Kalanianaole Highway from Lunalilo Home Road to Kealahou Street, and along the future Hawaii Kai Drive section in Kamilonui Valley. Table 4-2 provides details on existing and proposed bikeways in East Honolulu.

-    Increase person-carrying capacity on Kalanianaole Highway for commuter travel without expanding rights-of-way or exacerbating delays in access to the highway from collector streets during peak periods.

!     Local Trips. For local trips, the objective is to promote alternative modes of travel and less automobile travel.

-    Complete the link between the two built portions of Hawaii Kai Drive in the Kamilonui Valley area, thereby providing an additional mauka access route linking Maunalua Bay to Kalama Valley.

-    Modify rights-of-way design in selected areas -- particularly along designated bike lanes and routes, principal pedestrian routes and street crossings, and near bus stops -- change travelway widths or curb radii, pavement texture, introduce appropriate signage, and provide more generous landscaping.

-    Provide more convenient pedestrian paths within commercial and other high-activity areas (e.g., from the park-and-ride facility to the Hawaii Kai Towne Center) to encourage people to walk short distances for multipurpose trips instead of moving the vehicle to another parking facility.

-    Implement a pedestrian system around the Hawaii Kai Marina to improve accessibility to various waterfront locations (see Section 3.1.3.8).

-    Implement traffic calming measures in appropriate residential areas to reduce average motor vehicle speeds and make vehicular routes less direct, thereby increasing safety and enjoyment for pedestrians and bicyclists.

-    Design on-street and off-street parking facilities more efficiently to encourage joint use of parking in ways that ensure public safety.

The Oahu Water Management Plan (OWMP), signed into law in 1990, is the City and County of Honolulu=s component of the Hawaii Water Plan. The OWMP sets forth strategies to guide the State Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) in planning and managing Oahu=s water resources.

4.2.1    General Policies
General policies pertaining to East Honolulu=s potable and nonpotable water systems are as follows:

!    Adopt and implement water conservation practices in the design of new developments and the modification of existing uses, including landscaped areas.

!     Water Conservation Measures. Conserve the use of potable water by implementing the following measures, as feasible and appropriate:

4.3.1    Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Sand Island WWTP has a design capacity of 82 mgd average flow and is operating at approximately 89 percent capacity. Some components of the collection system, including sewer lines and pump stations, are at or close to 100 percent capacity.   ^{(See footnote 11)}  Between 1995 and 2020, the Department of Environmental Services (ENV) projects that nearly all of the increase in wastewater flow at the Sand Island WWTP will be from the Sand Island sewer shed. Wastewater flow generated in East Honolulu, specifically from the Kahala-Niu Valley sewer shed, currently comprises only a very small portion of the total flow to Sand Island and is projected to increase by less than three percent between 1995 and 2020. Therefore, the projected increase from East Honolulu flows will have a negligible impact on capacity demand at the Sand Island WWTP. In order to meet future demand throughout the area served by the Sand Island WWTP, the East Mamala Bay Final Wastewater Facilities Plan recommends a combination of increasing capacity and reducing flows via water conservation and rehabilitation projects.

Flows from Kuliouou Valley are currently pumped via the Kuliouou Wastewater Pump Station (WWPS) to the Hawaii Kai system under an existing agreement between the City and East Honolulu Community Services, the private company which owns and operates the Hawaii Kai system and the East Honolulu WWTP. The average daily flow from the Kuliouou WWPS is about 0.50 mgd and is not projected to increase over the next 25 years. The ENV is conducting an engineering study to evaluate the most cost-effective approach for future disposal of Kuliouou flows. A primary objective is to prevent wastewater spills and provide adequate collection and transmission capacity to accommodate projected high rainfall/peak flow conditions.

4.3.2    East Honolulu Wastewater Treatment Plant
The privately owned East Honolulu WWTP opened in 1965 and is located on the mauka side of Kalanianaole Highway near Sandy Beach. The State Public Utilities Commission requires that the plant accept wastewater from public or private sources in the service area.

The East Honolulu WWTP is a partial-tertiary treatment facility. The plant=s design capacity is 5.2 mgd with current flows at approximately 3.8 mgd. The treated effluent is discharged via a 36-inch outfall, 1,400 feet off Sandy Beach at depths between 29 and 45 feet. The receiving waters are classified as AClass A@ (generally dry, open coastal water) and AClass II@ (marine bottom type) by the State Department of Health (DOH). Biosolids from the plant are dried and taken to a municipal landfill.

Under the State of Hawaii's rules and guidelines for wastewater systems and the treatment and use of reclaimed water, recycled water from the wastewater facility can be used for irrigation purposes. At present, a 2 mgd filtration and disinfection facility has been built to produce R-1 rated recycled water for irrigation purposes. As of October 27, 1997, the State authorized the Hawaii Kai Golf Course to use this recycled water from the East Honolulu WWTP for irrigation.

4.3.3    General Policies
The following general policies apply to wastewater treatment in East Honolulu:

!    Implement, where feasible, water recycling as a water conservation measure.

!    Provide buffer zones and landscape elements between the East Honolulu WWTP and adjacent residential-designated areas which mitigate possible visual, noise, and odor impacts.

!     Private Operation of the East Honolulu WWTP. The East Honolulu WWTP should remain under private operation under the regulatory supervision of the State Public Utilities Commission and Department of Health unless there is a compelling reason and a mutually satisfactory agreement between the City and the private operator to incorporate this treatment plant within the municipal wastewater treatment system.

!     Use of Buffer Zones and Landscape Elements. Adequate horizontal separations and landscape elements (e.g., berms and windrows) should be provided between the East Honolulu WWTP and adjacent residential-designated areas. In order to mitigate negative impacts of the wastewater treatment plant, site-specific studies should be conducted to determine the width of the buffer zone and specific types of landscaping elements to use.

4.4.1    General Policies
The following general policy pertains to electrical power development in East Honolulu:

4.5.1    General Policies
The following general policy applies to solid waste handling and disposal in East Honolulu:

!     Efficient Solid Waste Collection. Expand the use of automated refuse collection in residential areas.

Several drainageways have been prone to flooding during more intense rainstorms. Niu Valley, Kuliouou Valley, and Hahaione Valley, in particular, experienced severe flooding during the New Year=s Eve flood of 1987. Heavy rainfall at the head of the valleys, combined with falling rocks and debris, overwhelmed the capacities of the concrete-lined stream channels. Along the Niu and Hahaione drainageways, debris-clogged bridges and culverts contributed significantly to the flooding problems.

A federal reconnaissance study found that the Wailupe Stream faces similar drainage problems. According to the study, the Wailupe drainage basin=s existing flood control system is unable to accommodate debris flows. Furthermore, the existing stream channel is incapable of handling clear water flood discharges greater than about a 20-year recurrence interval. Among the preliminary improvement alternatives under consideration are channeling 8,900 feet of Wailupe Stream from the mouth to the existing boulder basin, enlarging the existing boulder basin, and constructing a new debris basin in Kului Gulch.

In the area between Kamehame Ridge and the Hawaii Kai Golf Course, a 40-foot wide concrete channel alters the natural drainage pattern. Water collected from this area is carried along the drainageway which passes under Kalanianaole Highway and into Kailiili Inlet.

4.6.1    General Policies
General policies pertaining to East Honolulu=s drainage system are as follows:

!    A comprehensive study of local flooding and drainage problems should be developed and should include a phased plan for improvements.

!    View storm water as a potential irregular source of water for recharge of the aquifer that should be retained for absorption rather than quickly moved to coastal waters.

!     Stream Channel Improvements. To the extent possible, integrate planned improvements to the drainage system into the regional open space network by emphasizing the use of retention basins, creation of passive recreational areas, and recreational access for pedestrians and bicycles without jeopardizing public safety. In places where the hardening of stream channels is unavoidable or highly desirable to prevent significant loss of property or threat to public health and safety, as in the case of Wailupe Stream, the improvements should be designed and made in a manner which protects natural resource and aesthetic values of the stream to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the guidelines expressed in Section 3.1.3.3.

Recent enrollment figures for these schools show that they are operating under capacity (see Table 4-3). For this reason, the DOE does not have plans for new school construction in East Honolulu. Additional demand generated by any future residential developments can be absorbed by the existing facilities. If necessary, school boundaries could be adjusted to allocate additional demand to schools that have the most available capacity.

Table 4 - 3 Public School Enrollment, 1995

Facility	Enrollment	Capacity
Elementary
Aina Haina	490	700
Hahaione	560	800
Koko Head	380	800
Wailupe Valley	170	280
Kamiloiki	580	630
Intermediate
Niu Valley	530	910
High School
Kalani	1,120	1,450
Kaiser	1,100	1,300

Source: Department of Education, Facilities and Support Services Branch (1996).

There are also several independent schools in East Honolulu, listed in Table 4-4, which are either religious-affiliated or based on a particular educational philosophy. While such schools will probably continue their presence in East Honolulu, they are not expected to increase significantly in number or size. The scale and location of existing campuses are generally compatible with the predominate residential character of the region.

Table 4 - 4 Private School Enrollment, 1994

Facility	K-8	9-12
Holy Nativity School	120	0
Holy Trinity School	140	0
Honolulu Waldorf School	210	10
Koko Head Prep & Tech	0	30
Star of the Sea Early Learning Center	50	0
Star of the Sea Elementary	350	0

Source: Department of Education, Public and Private School Enrollment.

4.7.1    General Policies
General policies relating to school facilities are listed below:

4.8.1    General Policies
The following general policy pertains to public safety facilities:

!     Maintain Police and Fire/Ambul ance Stations. After the proposed new police station at Aina Haina is completed, a permanent base of operations for the eastern sector of Oahu will be established. As future needs arise, the development of a substation (collocated with other emergency medical and transportation services) along an entry to Hawaii Kai, may warrant consideration to more effectively and quickly respond with public safety and medical services.

!     Adequate Police and Fire/Ambulance Protection. Approve new development only if adequate staffing and facilities for fire/ambulance and police protection will be provided.

!    Guiding public investment in infrastructure through functional plans which support the vision of the Sustainable Communities Plan;

!    Recommending approval, approval with modifications or denial of developments seeking zoning and other development approvals based on how well they support the vision for East Honolulu=s development;

!    Incorporating Sustainable Communities Plan priorities through the Public Infrastructure Map and the City's annual budget process;

5.2     DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES

Projects to receive priority in the approval process are those which:

!    Involve applications for zoning and other regulatory approvals which are consistent with the Sustainable Communities Plan vision, general policies, and planning principles; and

!    Are located on vacant usable parcels and are consistent with the vision of this Plan as illustrated on Map A-2, Urban Land Use.

5.4    FUNCTIONAL PLANNING

Functional planning is the process through which various City agencies determine needs, assign priorities, phase projects, and propose project financing to further implement the vision articulated in the Sustainable Communities Plan. This process may take a variety of forms, depending upon the missions of the various agencies involved, as well as upon requirements imposed from outside the City structure, such as federal requirements for wastewater management planning. Typically, functional planning occurs as a continuous or iterative activity within each agency.

Through the functional planning process, City agencies responsible for developing and maintaining infrastructure and public facilities or for provision of City services review existing functional planning documents and programs. As a result of these reviews, the agencies then update, if required, existing plans or prepare new long-range functional planning documents that address facilities and service system needs. Updates of functional planning documents are also conducted to assure that agency plans will serve to further implement the Sustainable Communities Plan as well as to provide adequate opportunity for coordination of plans and programs among the various agencies.

The number and types of functional planning documents will vary from agency to agency, as will the emphases and contents of those documents. A typical agency may develop a set of core documents such as:

!    A long-range financing plan, with identification of necessary new revenue measures or opportunities.

!    A development schedule with top priorities for areas designated for earliest development.

!    Service and facility design standards, including level of service guidelines for determining adequacy.

5.5    REVIEW OF ZONING AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

A primary way in which the vision of the East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan will guide land use will be through the review of applications for zone changes and other development approvals. Approval for all development projects should be based on the extent to which the project supports the policies, principles, and guidelines of the Sustainable Communities Plan.

Projects which do not involve significant zone changes will be reviewed by the Department of Planning and Permitting for consistency with the policies, principles, and guidelines of the East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan during the Zone Change Application process. Those projects requiring environmental assessments will follow the provisions of Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 343.

Projects involving significant zone changes will require an Environmental Assessment. This is submitted to the Department of Planning and Permitting for review prior to initiation of the first Zone Change Application.

5.5.1    Adequate Facilities Requirement
All projects requesting zone changes shall be reviewed to determine if adequate public facilities and infrastructure will be available to meet the needs created as a result of the development. Level of Service Guidelines to define adequate public facilities and infrastructure requirements will be established during the Capital Improvement Program.

In order to guide development and growth in an orderly manner as required by the City's General Plan, zoning and other development approvals for new developments should be approved only if the responsible City and State agencies indicate that adequate public facilities and utilities will be available at the time of occupancy or if conditions the functional agency indicates are necessary to assure adequacy are otherwise sufficiently addressed.

The Department of Planning and Permitting, as part of its report on the consistency of the project with the East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan vision, will review and summarize any individual agency's findings regarding public facilities and utilities adequacy which are raised as part of the EA/EIS process. The Department of Planning and Permitting will address these findings and any additional agency comments submitted as part of the agency review of the zone change application and recommend conditions that should be included in the Unilateral Agreement or Development Agreement to insure adequacy of facilities.

5.7    TRANSITION FROM THE CURRENT SYSTEM

This section discusses the transition from the former Development Plan to this Sustainable Communities Plan, including its independence from Development Plan Common Provisions, its relationship to the General Plan guidelines, and the need for review and revision of development codes, standards, and regulations.

5.7.1    Development Plan Common Provisions and Existing Land Use Approvals
This Sustainable Communities Plan will go into effect upon adoption by ordinance. At that time, the Sustainable Communities Plan will become a self-contained document, not reliant on the Development Plan Common Provisions which formerly applied to the East Honolulu Development Plan as well as all the other Development Plans.

Land use approvals granted under existing zoning, Unilateral Agreements, and approved Urban Design Plans will remain in force and guide entitlement decisions until any zoning action to further implement the vision and policies of the East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan is initiated. If an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement (EA/EIS) was accepted in the course of a land use approval for a project, it should be acceptable to meet the requirement for an initial project EA/EIS when zone change applications are submitted for subsequent phases of the project unless the project scope and land uses are being significantly changed from that described in the initial EA/EIS.

5.7.2    Relation to General Plan Population Guidelines
The East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan implements the General Plan population policies (in Population Objective C) as follows:

5.7.3    Review and Revision of Development Codes
Upon completion of the revision of all of Oahu=s development plans, current regulatory codes and standards should be reviewed and revised, as necessary, to maintain their consistency and effectiveness as standards to guide attainment of the objectives and policies envisioned for all Development Plan areas. At the time such reviews are conducted, the following regulatory codes and standards may warrant further review and revision to ensure achievement of the vision for the East Honolulu region, as identified in this plan, as well as consistency with the East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan:

!     Subdi vision Rules and Regulations. (Department of Land Utilization, pursuant to Chapter 22, Revised Ordinances of Honolulu). Public right-of-way standards used for subdivision and consolidation of land need to be revised to reflect transportation policies, principles, and guidelines in the Sustainable Communities Plan.

!     Traffic Standard Manual. (Department of Transportation Services, July 1976, as revised). Standards which are applied to local and most collector streets need to be revised to reflect transportation policies, principles, and guidelines in the Sustainable Communities Plan.

!     State Highways Division Procedures Manual, Vol. 8, Chapter 5, Section 4 (State Department of Transportation). These State highway standards need to be reviewed to identify provisions which may conflict with the transportation policies, principles, and guidelines in the Sustainable Communities Plan.

!     Standard Details for Public Works Construction (Honolulu Department of Public Works with Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii County Departments of Public Works, September 1984). Engineering standards for the dedication of public works construction need to be revised to reflect Sustainable Communities Plan principles and guidelines.