Check out Sen. Laura Thielen’s blog post, “HCDA: Is a Law Intending to Protect Small Businesses in Kaka’ako Now Being Cited to Help Developers?”
It’s explains her vote again the nomination of Brian Tamamoto to serve on the HCDA board.
According to testimony provided the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations, and Housing:
Mr. Tamamoto brings with him twenty-four (24) years of experience in labor relations, business operations, and development. His current position as the Executive Vice President of Resort Holdings LLC, a small business located in Kakaako Mauka, qualifies him as a city council designated small business representative.
The problem is that this “small business” is a subsidiary of Kobayashi Group, which describes itself as “a privately owned and managed boutique real estate development/investment firm.” The company is reportedly preparing to jump into one or more condo projects in Kakaako, which would be overseen by HCDA.
Questioned by Thielen, Tamamoto said he would recuse himself from voting on any Kobayashi projects.
But, Thielen wondered, what about more general decisions that would benefit the company? For example, what about a rule to raise the general height limit, if he knew that Kobayashi would benefit from such a change?
Then Sen. Thielen dropped this little bit of info:
I was told today that the entire Kobayashi Group, including the subsidiary the nominee works for, is 10 employees, so it counts as a “small business.” The other small business representative on HCDA apparently is a member of Mitsunaga & Associates, Inc., which, according to the Star Advertiser, is another firm involved in Kaka’ako development.
The requirement to have small business representatives sitting on HCDA was meant to give a voice to the small business owners operating in Kakaako who would be directly impacted by development plans. Instead, it seems, its a convenient back-door way to stack the deck in favor of developers.
In any case, do check Senator Thielen’s account.
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At the very least it seems tone deaf to appoint a person so closely affiliated with the development in Kaka’ako. Given the criticisms of HCDA as a rubber stamp for developers, you’d think there would be a desire to diversify board membership with folks who have other points of view including community representatives.
Sen. Laura Thielen is pretty good. How come no other legislator can figure this out and probably all boards — including Land Use Commission — are packed with people who would favor developers and business interests over public good.
The statute is very specific:
For purposes of this section, “small business” means a business which is independently owned and which is not dominant in its field of operation.
HRS 206E-3(b)(3).
Thanks for that crucial information. But does anyone at the legislature care if it’s legal?
Kobayashi Group, Mitsunaga & Associates. Both of those entities have contributed generously to the war chests of many key politicians over the years. And yes, that includes Abercrombie’s campaign coffer.
You say it’s high time to reform the HCDA nomination process? Just don’t count on getting much help from the folks who are, shall we way, beneficiaries of this form of pay-to-play.
Good ol case of accepting “soft money for core values” for the benefit of the oligarchy. Money is nothing to investors, but to carreer politicians? its the blood running thru their bodies.
File this under S.O.S.
Speaking of urban development….
Shouldn’t every luxury apartment building have its own waste water treatment plant?
http://inhabitat.com/wastewater-treatment-plant-in-san-francisco-is-a-gorgeous-indoor-wetland/
This would take the burden off the taxpayer and place it on the (wealthy) user; it would take a burden off the infrastructure; and it would take a burden off of nature.
Could it be done retroactively on already existing structures?