Kakaako Mauka Area Rule Amendments
Kaka’ako Mauka Area Rule Amendments
DRAFT KAKA’AKO MAUKA RULES
On September 6, 2023, the Authority will consider authorizing the executive director to schedule hearings pursuant to Chapter 91, Hawaiʻi Revised Statues (HRS), and Chapter 201M, HRS, regarding proposed amendments to the Chapter 15-217, Hawaii Administrative Rules, to conform the Mauka Area Rules to the TOD Overlay Plan and make other amendments for lands in the Kakaʻako Community Development District that are generally mauka of Ala Moana Boulevard.
Click here to view the draft 2023 Mauka Rules
Click here to view the proposed changes in the Mauka Matrix
Comments may be submitted via the link at the bottom of this page.
Background
The Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) was established by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1976 to plan and redevelop Kakaako and other areas of the state that are in need of renewal, renovation, or improvement.
HCDA’s plan and rules provide a framework for planning and development within the Kakaako community development district. The Kakaako Mauka area plan and rules were first adopted in 1982. The next major repeal and replacement of the Mauka area plan and rules came in 2011.
After nearly a decade, the HCDA is embarking on a process of evaluating enhancements to the Mauka Area Rules and possibly amending several of these Rules. Based on a framework of community engagement, HCDA Staff will make recommendations on the possible amendments to the Mauka Area Rules. The goals of the enhancements are to improve the development of a vibrant and resilient Kakaako Community Development District.
Title 15, Chapter 217, Hawaii Administrative Rules (“HAR”), Mauka Area Rules, relating to the Kakaʻako Makai Community Development District (“CDD”) took effect on November 11, 2011.
In 2016, the Hawaii Community Development Authority (“HCDA”) completed a Transit Oriented Development (“TOD”) Overlay Plan2 which covered selected parcels in the Mauka Area of the Kakaʻako CDD. The plan assessed the impacts of building height and density incentives for the provision of public benefits, parking policy changes, and other urban streetscape changes.
To implement these policies, HCDA staff and its consultant, Hi.Arch.Y LLC., conducted extensive outreach on proposed amendments to the Mauka Area Rules. Virtual community and stakeholder meetings were held between November 2021 and November 2022. Comments received through both the EIS and community outreach processes were incorporated into the proposed amendments. A presentation on the draft rules was also last provided to the Board in April 2023.
The proposed amendments are generally designed to promote public benefits, enhance the urban realm, and streamline permit reviews. These amendments include:
• Incentive zoning
• Parking deregulation, including deleting minimum parking requirements
• Adjustments to land use
• Simplified permitting and other changes
In the Community
On May 14, 2022, HCDA was out in the community at the Kakaako Farmers’ Market. “We received a lot of positive feedback about providing this opportunity for the community members to vote and have a say on how community benefits are developed in the Mauka Area,” said Mark Hakoda, HCDA Program Specialist. “Over 100 people stopped by the booth, and we had many conversations about the upcoming amendments.”
• 85 people voted on what community benefits they wanted in Kakaako, by putting a sticker on the boards.
• Approximately 24 people took the survey to get a free bag. Several scanned the code and asked to do it later.
Community Benefits; Voting Results:
• 26 Community Gardens
• 12 Other – Including: Improved sidewalks & pedestrian paths, more open space & parks, food truck space, kid safe bikeways, and permanent farmers’ market
• 10 Water Features
• 10 Dog Park
• 8 Public Pavilion
• 8 Play Courts
• 6 Public Parking
• 5 Educational Facilities
HCDA plans to take this community input and look at ways to prioritize potential developer incentives and rule amendments to focus on these requests.
The Survey
The online Community Outreach Survey was open to the public from November 2021 to June 2022.
Here are the HCDA Community Outreach Survey Results
Parking Reform Brochure
Community Meeting
Event flyer
On December 2, a virtual meeting was held with an informative discussion on the current Kaka‘ako Mauka Area Rules − Ch.15-217, Hawaii Administrative Rules −and the opportunities in which they may be enhanced to better serve Kaka‘ako and its surrounding communities.
Dec 2 Presentation
Current Plan and Rules
2011 Mauka Area Plan
2011 Mauka Area Rules