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