The answers given to you were honest ones, might not be the ones you wish to hear, or structured to your likings.

Three states; Hawaii, Tennessee, and Utah do not allow gambling, my suggestion that starting a lottery ..would allow the state to receive the funds needed for areas that taxpayers will eventually be charged higher taxes for.

I suppose there is no need for me to respond to your questions. They are not what you want to hear, nor do you respect my opinions.

You wanted honest answers, that's what you got.
I have this weird feeling...that I know who you are.
With that being said, good luck in your endeavors.

Aloha, from Aunty :)

I really don't know what you found offensive in my last posting. I was just asking for others' opinions on how they believe Kailua SHOULD grow. Businesses, restaurants, etc. Look again.

If you took that as offensive in any way then I apologize.

I just thought this was a forum for letting people be able to see how they could improve Kailua. I'm sorry for being mistaken.

So 2Funny. What about your thoughts for Kailua growth? I'm really curious.

I don't think you know me. If you didn't recognize my name, then I don't think so.

Lol...Baht...suppose you catch the bus to work...and borrow someone else's library card to rent books...
Capital Gain...( unless ya ride a bike) or..perhaps..are driving without a license?

Haven't had time to draw out any plans....was enjoying my vacation...and hey besides...you interested in my thoughts?

OH and my real name is Santa Claus....Or Tooth Fairy, or Easter Bunny....

Dang did ya miss it? I replied...

Sorry I didn't mean for it to come across as sarcastic. I just meant that if you knew me you would've recognized my name.

Anyhow, sure why not? Of course I'm interested in people's thoughts. This wouldn't be an open forum if I wasn't interested. Everyone asked me how I thought development should go and I answered. I didn't hear any sincere growth plans from you other than bashing my beliefs.

Let me tell you. When you come from a country and family that has nothing, you realize what freedom truly is and that includes freedom of speech.

I put out an honest challenge for you and others to come up with development plans of your own. Why twist it into something mean-spirited?

Excuse me Sir or Ma'am,
My responses to your questions, were sincere.
You keep speaking of another country. Were you not born and raised here? Or am I mistaken?

My native homeland is Thailand.

The thing I hadn't heard from you is what kind of growth and development you would like to see in Kailua. That's all.

My native homeland is Hawaii, as is my husbands, and my parents, and my grandparents.

By the year 2044, there will not be a single soul who is pure Hawaiian living on this island. Their native homeland. Therefore, for those of us whose homeland is Hawaii and wish to see some changes in the direction of the growth that is taking place be stopped or corrected, is that a bad thing?

Want to help the elderly? Why not put up a senior citizen complex in the area where condos are planned?

We offer programs for the youth of this community and don't even have enough parking to accommodate spectators. ( Kailua Park for One)

Try to go there when soccer, little league, or Kalaheo High School home games are being played.
At least someone had some knowledge to put a restroom up so the kids didn't have to run across the field to use the restrooms at the Recreation Center.

Kailua Beach,Camp Kailani, and residents who were moved out to extend and beautify the park.. Yes the park is beautiful, Bike Lanes Put in...that many Bikers don't even utilize, they remain riding on the narrow road on Kawailoa and Lanikai. No one thought that parking stall should have been included in these plans? Pavilions added there for family functions, but where do the visitors park...

Many groups have fond memories of Camp Kailani, which should have not been torn down.

The old Foodland in Kailua, where Island snow is now...that area was not TORN down to make way for a nice, newer building...they took what they had, and created many office spaces for others. ( They did buy out the home next door to make a parking lot.)

They paved paradise...and put up a parking lot.. remember that song?

Restoration, is not a bad thing.
If you want growth and development thinking that jobs will be created for many individuals, how many jobs do you think each individual will need to work to be able to reside in this community?

Outsourcing is already creating problems in our Country and affecting many individuals. If I am not mistaken, many individuals from Hawaiian Tel have recently lost jobs, due to outsourcing.

Before more businesses are established in Kailua, with new structures, I think problems that exist now should be corrected first.

What problems? Parking mainly...
Oh, I did not realize FHB was where Starbucks is now,
I thought it was Hawaii National Bank?
I know the Kailua Post Office once was where Brents is now.

I would really hate to see parking structures erected upwards, like the one at Longs.
The only beauty in that structure, is the artwork that was created. I am sure that if I think long and hard enough I would come up with a plan for the old Holiday Theater, besides tearing it down. I'll be thinking on that one.

Enough said....

I forgive you for your lapse of judgement.

Hope your father is okay. GB

See now those are good constructive ideas.

So you say we need more parking but no structures and paving. Any ideas on where to put a parking lot as you suggest?

Donate if you can.
http://www.bgch.com/dsp-donate.htm

Oh, I'm so elated that you approve........

I am not an engineer, nor a architect.. I am quite sure those who have the expertise in this area, are capable to come up with an idea that would blend in with the current parking lot.

I think that it is rather odd that the vendors from open market, set their stalls up on the parking lot, leaving customers to park on the grassy area, and across the street from the parking lot, would make more sense that they set up on the grassy area,(in the field) and leave the parking lot for those who come to shop...

Back to the parking...both sides of Kailua Recreation Park, have room to extend parking....

As for Kailua Beach Park, the same situation...extend both sides of the park ( near Buzz's and Lanikai end)

p.s. I never mentioned paving...as you stated.

I just found out about this website and would like to express my observations.

From Sabrinacrk Apr 10th, 2007 - 8:45 PM: The developement of Kailua by Kaneohe Ranch to put more money in thier pockets before the trust desolves at any exspence to the town of Kailua and it's residence is the real issue. Building Rodeo Drive stores, charging super high rents, and on top of it taking a percerntage of the businesses gross so the trust can be as wealthy as possible before it dissolves is what it is about. What about all the small businesses that have been here for years being closed down to make room for more beautiful buildings.

To Sabrinack FYI:
It is The Harold K L Castle Foundation Trust who owns the land and it’s subsidiary Kaneohe Ranch that manages the properties. In any business, the objective is to make money or why be in business and yes money to be put in the trust as well The trust is not dissolving adverse to your statement. The trust is written to go on forever. But the HUGE difference when you make this kind of money is what you do with this money. The income that is generated by these properties have been given back to help the community. Since the foundations founding in 1962, The Harold K L Foundation has awarded more than $143 million dollars in grants with more than $50 million to the windward side. The Foundation’s current investments are focused on public education redesign and enhancement, nearshore marine resource conservation, and strengthening the communities of Windward Oahu.
Mr Castle has donated his land to what was Hwaii Loa College (HPU), Castle Hospital, Kainalu Elementary, Castle High School, Iolani.
That ‘s the differece in a person such as Mr Castle making money but giving a whole lot back to the betterment of the community
I don’t see any kind of Rodeo Dr shops here and see any higher rents that are not even close. In retail, it’s common practice for both landlord and lessee to agree on gross vs percentage rent.
Please provide an example of a small businesses that have been here for years being closed down to make room for more beautiful buildings as I don’t know of any off hand..
To the question of what I would like to see in Kailua :
1. Kailua lacks restraunt outdoor eating. Along the Marsh along Hamakua build a bike /walk path from Windward boats and all the way to the homes past horse stables. Redevelop existing building into mix uses retail/office but facing the marsh and also has outdoor seating for a good mix of different restraunts.
Right now we have some mixed use that ‘s kind of unslightly along that stretch and we can turn it into something attractive but not intruvise to the wildlife , that would be great.

2. A real good local kind saimin stand….not the ramen kind
3. The parking issue. They had to build a structure to accomondate the employees of Macy’s and Long’s. and more importantly the customers. There was no parking available. I don’t know what’s worse, a parking structure that has a smaller footprint and goes up or a larger footprint and is spread out with more pavement.

I agree.

Mmmm someone that talks my language food :)
Think a saimin place would be great investment for Kailua, It's something that all would enjoy!
Someone told me of a place on the outer islands that they give you the basic saimin then like a buffet you add the fixin's
Something like that would be affordable and enjoyable..Even though Kailua has a lot of outdoor eating areas like Lucy's,
Zia's , Bachi Bistro, Big City Diner, Brents, K&K , Boston Pizza , Mokes bread and breakfast.. plus more - which I enjoy
more than the ones that are more acknowledged as fine dining.
We sure do have lots of options for eating in Kailua which is great - puts a few pounds on me thats for sure. LOL

It's funny you wrote about Kaneohe Ranch - I was just reading an article regarding Kaneohe Ranch and their plans for "A New Kailua"
So questions were popping into my head - I've been known to write alot (smirk) but, I got lot of questions and want to be corrected
because I'm not really into all the politics and stuff been just taking a crash course and I hear lots of different view points of various issues
so please feel free to correct me - Thanks for stopping in too... I been writing the below thing for a couple days didn't pull it all out my head in a couple hours...Figure I post it here since you mentioned about Kaneohe Ranch.
The article I'm refering to is:
Honolulu Star Bulletin - Sunday, January 5, 2003 - "A new Kailua -Kaneohe Ranch wants to remake its properties,and increase business"
The way this message board is set up I need to put the link at the end of everything.. so it's below.. thanks

As far as Kaneohe Ranch/Castle giving to our community, sure they
contributed and contributes a lot to the community..
But, on the other hand when somebody has that much power and owns practically
the whole business district of Kailua, their decisions affect all of us in the community.
With the ownership and control of most of the land in our business district in the town of Kailua,
they have the power to set the economic direction of the town, this includes business rents, business practices,
business relationships and the type of businesses available to all of us.
However, my question is "Can Kailua's economy grow and prosper if the workforce can’t afford to live here?"
If Kaneohe Ranch did not own all that they own, but just a little piece of it, do you feel that their new designs for Kailua
would be targeted to attract "quality visitors"?
What are "Quality visitors"?
Are the residents of this town not "Quality Residents" ? What do we need with "Quality Visitors"?
Unless of course having "Quality Residents" is not enough or perhaps there are not enough
"Quality Residents" for Kaneohe Ranch or perhaps they don't even consider us as "Quality Residents"
or perhaps they don't consider residents at all.
Does "Quality vistiors" mean "people with money" with more disposable income and money to spend
in a "tourist playground"? Is this the direction that Kaneohe Ranch is taking?
Can we as residents afford to live in our own town in the near future? Do we want to pay higher prices
at the grocery stores or local eateries because they price according to what they believe
"Quality visitors" will pay? Do we as local residents lose out because the "Quality visitors"
are more important?
Since this article was written, much of what Kaneohe Ranch had planned at that time has come to be.
Indeed we are seeing more visitors, many more visitors. The "Quality visitors" are here in force, enticed
by the makover of Kailua and the sudden proliferation of "Illegal Vacation Rentals" advertised on the Internet.
Is this is the end result of Kaneohe Ranch's Master Plan for Kailua or is it the beginning?
But, after all business is business and all businesses work together to help the other businesses and this is why many think that the
alleged Illegal B&B / Tvu's and lots of the NEW KAILUA businesses along with Kaneohe Ranch are on a lil journey to turn our town
into a resort town...who benefits ?? Their Businesses! Surely, not us residents!

We are not against visitors, tourists, coming to Kailua - we just don't want our town to be changed such that they are more important
than us residents. The decisions that Kaneohe Ranch makes for its land in Kailua affects not only the businesses but also all of
the residents, "Quality" or not of Kailua. If Kaneohe Ranch wants input from the community, don't only seek this input from the "ladies"
of Kailua (Who are these ladies anyways, ladies with unlimited credit cards?), but also from the long time residents, the lower income residents,
the mom and pop shops that can't afford to belong to the Chamber of Commerce or other business organizations.
Nothing is wrong with visitors but who decides how many (as many as the market can bear?) and where will all of these visitors stay
(in Illegal vacation rentals while rental housing is in such short supply throughout the island)
(and since Kaneohe Ranch sold off the majority of the lower income housing available in Kailua), and
what will become of us, the residents of Kailua.
Sharing Kailua is one thing, but giving it up to big business is another.

Kailua residents lose when visitors ("Quality visitors") become the primary interest of the largest land owner in town.
This is robbing Peter to pay Paul and unfortunately, Peter can't afford it for long.
That of course is what appears to be happening. Everyone is too intimidated to speak up and this shouldn't be,
I feel it takes the whole community to set a direction for OUR WHOLE TOWN that we call home and not just the
largest landowner..
I do appreciate them giving to our community!

Click here to go to the article that got me thinking

I agree that we must take care of the residents of Kailua first and foremost or what’s the sense of living here.

My response to Kaneohe Ranch was just to get the facts straight. No sense in debating something when the facts are wrong.

More on Kaneohe Ranch.

Several years ago (?), Kaneohe Ranch solicited the Kailua community to attend a handful of “Town Meetings” at Kailua Intermediate. The purpose of these Saturday morning meetings was to get input from the community as to what they wanted for Kailua. It was a great opportunity to hear and express our concerns as well as being very informative. These meetings were pretty well attended.

What people wanted was places to shop instead of driving into town and more of a pedestrian friendly area around the center of Kailua. Remember when the old Long’s was in place? The side of the building facing Kailua Road was just a tall wall and very unattractive. In the new design was implemented a set back for the new store front (CPK, Cold Stone etc) to give a broader sidewalk for pedestrian use and also the new fountain for people to stroll and gather. From what I understand, the same concept of pedestrian friendly walkways will be used through the center of town. I must apologize but I should’ve taken better notes at those meetings but this is what stuck in my head.

I truly believe that Kaneohe Ranch is on the side of the residents.(by the way, I’m for getting rid of the illegal b and b’s) They want to make this not only a better place to live but a comfortable one as well. I especially remember before they renovated the Times Shopping Center façade that I was kind of embarrassed at how our Kailua looked. I was at the Town Party today with my daughter and walked by the Kaneohe Ranch booth. They had a poster board of before and after photos of newly renovated buildings. My daughter and I looked at each other and were so amazed at how much better Kailua looks today. (Those old buildings and facades were pretty ugly in retrospect)

Because those meetings were a while ago and things change, maybe new meetings should be established so that residents can voice their opinions and concerns again as what type of stores we would like as well as whatever topics we would like discussed.

We can’t blame Kaneohe Ranch on the affordability or lack there of in Kailua. They don’t determine the value of our property, the cost of gas, food and other essentials/nonessentials. Factor in the HGET and one of the highest income taxes in the country, it’s the State Legislators more than anyone else.

One last thing on Kaneohe Ranch and the low income housing issue. Kaneohe Ranch held the ground lease on those properties only. It is the responsibility of the building owner to upkeep and maintain the building as well as the property. The entire area was on a septic tank system which was and still inadequate. When we had a heavy rain, Kailua Rd would flood in that area because of the overflow of the septic tanks. (Gross) The US EPA came in and condemned the property stating that everything must be torn down and a sewage system must be put in place. Kaneohe Ranch’s concern was the people in the apartments and trying to come up with some type of alternative place to live after they had to vacate. They looked into the vacant parcel behind Safeway of Hamakua Rd but the neighborhood in that area rejected the idea (NIMBY). Because Kaneohe Ranch’s main investment these days is commercial and not that of residential anymore, they sold the land.

The saimin buffet sounds great by the way!!!!!

Very very true.

I'm glad someone has been doing their homework and deals with facts rather than emotions.

I think all of the improvements have been extremely positive and I can't wait till Fromaggio's opens.

From the success of the Town party with both locals and visitors, it is obvious that the promotion of Kailua is great for local businesses.

Thanks M2 for filling me in I didn't get to attend the meeting at Kailua Intermediate back then.
Its no debating upon the subject - - I was just wondering cuz I had read that article and thats what I got from it - like I said I wrote that a few days ago... thats why I asked figure someone who knew or knew some would respond..
Baht its not about getting all facts straight before you write anything (not being sarcastic but jus stating thats how we can learn - from one another by discussing and asking)but then again someone having knowledge on a particular subject sure does help huh!

Everyone perceives things differently. But when you pick through all emotions any writer has you can get a clearer picture of the facts...

For example my son looked at the Kaneohe Ranch plans and saw it from a totally different perspective..
So he jus stayed there told people look at the Urban plan then they came back to him then he directed them to the Keep It Kailua to sign a petition.
I was shocked cuz usually that son is shy- and not a people type person and he initiated that on his own.. which is great he wasn't forcing his beliefs on others jus telling them to take a look and if their response was negative he would tell them about the petition. So what looks one way to one person can look like a whole different picture to the next.
Nothing wrong with that because we all are different and have our personal likes and dislikes.

I'm glad we took your advice Baht and cancelled the Rally/Sit down and went with the green ribbons, It went great. ( I been sick with the flu - especially after my dads B-day Party guess it sucked what energy I had left so I gave my "I Love Kailua" Pin to my brother who came down to visit my parents for him to enjoy the party)
In Kailua the buildings do look nicer.. gosh wish they could renovate me right now.. I feel all broken down...
But I think many will agree with me that the promotion of Kailua does affect us because everything goes higher.. thats what I was trying to say is the fact that they have THE POWER cuz they do in a sense..
As a property manager I can raise the rent...and that affects the tenant for it takes away that much more per month from them... sure there are regulations on how much in a period of time that I can raise it..but still has an affect on them ..and if they can't afford it I could just get someone else who could afford it.. and that then changes the neighborhood because you higher you go with the rents you get a different class of people. Our tenants now are all family so don't have to worry about that but was jus using it as an example.

Thanks M2 for sharing the information it does educate me and others when we share - You can read articles and stuff like that but you have to sift through the politics of it all..
I know there is a luncheon coming up for Kaneohe Ranch saw it on the Lani-kailua outdoor circle site..
don't know if you know about that yet? Hopefully I can make it would like to attend that and learn more.
Like I said when you learn stuff what you felt or thought on one day changes as you learn or sometimes it don't.
Maybe when I read that article I already had the thoughts of what other people were already telling me things along those line that I targeted in on certain words.. I don't know?
Thats one of the reasons I put together this site so we can feel free to discuss without having to worry about getting the facts together first.
I wasn't doggin' out M2's post or anything.. jus figure hey here is someone who may see it differently that has knowledge on this particular subject!
And then there may be someone else with facts or further knowledge.. together we all learn from just talking story :)
Well have a great day you two and all.. I gotta get back to my bed.
Yes Finn & Aunty (who don't post but reads LOL )
If this don't get better I would go to the doctors as I promised and I'm pumpin' down that water and Nyquil..(knocking on wood) my headache of 4 days went away

Location: KAILUA- OAHU

FOUND THE LUNCHEON LINK FOR FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spring General Membership Meeting
May 31, noon
Kaneohe Yacht Club
Salad Luncheon
Presentation by Kimo Steinwascher, Vice President, Leasing, of Kaneohe Ranch

Here is the link to the Lani-kailua outdoor circle site its under their coming events portion of the site.
Click here to go to their site to learn more