http://www.theoutdoorcircle.com/ en Copyright 2012 http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/transit-project-too-destructive-toc-board-examines-options/ http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/transit-project-too-destructive-toc-board-examines-options/#When:23:49:09Z The Outdoor Circle’s mission since 1912 has been to keep Hawaii clean, green and beautiful. Our Islands are free of billboards and have a wonderful urban forest due in large measure to the dedication and hard work of our members who are deeply committed to protecting and enhancing one of the most beautiful places on earth. In our 100 year history The Outdoor Circle (TOC) has seen no other venture that holds the potential to degrade the landscape of Oahu as the proposed Honolulu Rail Transit project. TOC has been involved in virtually every step of the project from the moment it was first brought to the public for discussion. For more than five years, at every opportunity, we have urged the City to explain how it will mitigate Transit’s horrific visual damage to this island as well as the degradation to neighborhoods and communities along the route of this six billion dollar project. The Outdoor Circle favors and will support an alternatively sound transit proposal but only one that includes elements that will reduce traffic and protect Hawaii’s greatest asset, the unique and incomparable beauty of our islands. But with no satisfactory alternatives forthcoming The Outdoor Circle has concluded that it cannot and does not support the project as proposed and we now are exploring all available options to determine the most feasible and effective actions we might take to stop it. Of great concern to TOC is the visual damage caused by Transit. The City acknowledges that the damage will occur but has determined that the blight the project creates is the price our residents and visitors must pay for “progress.” Imagine the cumulative visual impact of more than 20 miles of a massive elevated concrete guideway, supported by 720 large concrete columns with the inevitable graffiti and enormous transit stations. The project is destined to become an ugly scar across one of the most beautiful places on earth while there is little evidence that it will bring relief to Oahu’s unacceptable traffic situation. We also are distressed that the proposed project requires the removal of nearly 900 trees. TOC is consulting with the City’s Transit team to make certain that relocated trees are properly handled and that contractors pay for those that are not. Hundreds of trees already have been or will soon be removed and destroyed. But given that the Federal government has not yet guaranteed that it will fund the project we strongly question whether the tree removals and other preparatory work should continue. A group of individuals and Hawaii grassroots organizations has filed a lawsuit to stop this project. TOC supports the lawsuit and believes it is necessary because the City’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) failed to conform to the National Environmental Policy Act and did not adequately evaluate less intrusive “alternatives.” Examples of alternatives include an expanded flexible bus system, staggered work hours, creative transportation options for thousands of students, private jitney services or possibly an at grade rail system. In addition, the FEIS fails to adequately explain how the City will mitigate the damage the project will inflict on O‘ahu view planes. Instead the city explains in the FEIS that the visual intrusiveness will be mitigated by community sensitive architectural designs and then softened by a variety of landscaping schemes, tree plantings, etc. The City has offered no details about these efforts, instead stating that the details of this work will be developed in concert with the communities as the project moves forward. But TOC’s position is that these details should have been proposed and vetted before the completion of the FEIS. And why didn’t that happen? The Outdoor Circle believes the answer is that no level of design or landscape can erase the physical, visual barricade being created to mauka-makai views for the entire length of the project. In this regard the FEIS fails to offer relief of any kind. The Outdoor Circle now is considering how we might best support the broad based coalition of organizations and individuals which is challenging this project in court. We also encourage others to support the lawsuit. We are hopeful that through our combined efforts we can convince the courts to put the brakes on the current Transit project and force the City to offer real alternatives and real mitigation that will bring true relief to Honolulu’s traffic madness without pillaging the beauty of the place we call home. Read more about TOC’s history on transit by clicking here. 2011-11-15T23:49:09+00:00 http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/outdoor-circle-supports-resolution-11-111-relating-to-trees-affected-by-tra/ http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/outdoor-circle-supports-resolution-11-111-relating-to-trees-affected-by-tra/#When:20:46:43Z The Outdoor Circle (TOC) strongly supports Resolution 11-111 which calls for greater accountability on the part of the City’s Rapid Transit Division regarding the disposition of trees affected by the transit project. Read The Outdoor Circle’s latest efforts in keeping Hawaii clean, green, and beautiful. Testimony_11-111.pdf Transit_Trees_Reso_11-111CD1_5-11-11.pdf 2011-05-09T20:46:43+00:00 http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/the-outdoor-circle-talks-about-trees-and-transit/ http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/the-outdoor-circle-talks-about-trees-and-transit/#When:23:32:02Z The City’s official comments about trees and TOC’s responses and reality: From Street Trees Technical Report for Draft Environmental Impact Statement Of the 889 removed trees, 517 could be transplanted. The tree’s maturity, condition, and location plus the economic feasibility were the main criteria considered in analyzing possible transplantation. From The Outdoor Circle’s Comments on the DEIS Dated February 6, 2009 And DTS’s Response Dated June 11, 2010 (in italics) TOC’s Comment: Honolulu has fostered a worldwide image of being a city full of beautiful trees. It is an important part of Honolulu’s appeal to both residents and visitors. But the system’s chosen alignment will result in the removal of more than 800 street trees. About one-half to two-thirds of those trees will be transplanted to unspecified “appropriate areas,” but that leaves a possible deficit of more than 300 trees with no mitigation to the environment for the tree removals. City’s Response: Tree removals will be minimized to the greatest extent possible, but pruning is likely next to the guideway. Twenty-eight “Notable” true kamani trees along Dillingham Boulevard will be removed. Approximately 100 street trees will be pruned, 550 will be removed, and 300 will be transplanted. Mitigation measures will consist of transplanting existing trees or planting new ones. TOC’s Comment: Further, The Outdoor Circle knows how difficult it is to find available tree planting sites in our city. We believe the EIS must provide specific sites for tree relocations now. The language in the draft document is too vague. Please address this issue. City’s Response: Trees suitable for transplanting that are displaced by construction will be relocated to the City project nursery until they can be transplanted to another part of the project area. Reality The city nursery is located adjacent to Kapiolani Park. TOC was told recently that they do not have the facilities to maintain the large number of trees committed to in the FEIS. City’s Obligation under FEIS Section 4.15.1 states that coordination with Outdoor Circle was initiated at the start of the NEPA process and that coordination will be ongoing as the project progresses. Reality The Outdoor Circle had to initiate consultation with the city and coordination (so far) has been only at the organization’s instigation. TOC was told recently that DTS requires 92F requests (Hawaii equivalent of Freedom of Information Act requests) each time it wants to view documents. This makes the process extremely time consuming, cumbersome and not transparent.) 2011-03-31T23:32:02+00:00 http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/the-outdoor-circle-election-2010-questionnaire-office-of-the-mayor-city-and/ http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/the-outdoor-circle-election-2010-questionnaire-office-of-the-mayor-city-and/#When:20:38:40Z Bob Loy, Director of Environmental Programs As the 2010 Honolulu mayoral election nears we are committed to providing our members and supporters with information that will help them assess the leading candidates’ positions on issues of concern to The Outdoor Circle (TOC). To accomplish our goal we created a brief questionnaire which we asked each of the four candidates to complete and return to TOC. We also requested meetings with each candidate to discuss the questionnaire and their responses. The candidates asked to participate in this project are Kirk Caldwell, Peter Carlisle, Panos Prevedouros and Rod Tam. All except Rod Tam completed the questionnaire. We met individually with all four candidates. To assist in preparing their responses we included background information about TOC and our interactions with relevant Honolulu County agencies. The information gathered in this project has been collated and is being presented at http://www.outdoorcircle.org, via email to our supporters and by releasing the results to the media. Click here to read the results. 2010-09-01T20:38:40+00:00 http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/campaign-signs-point-to-colossal-campaign-clutter/ http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/campaign-signs-point-to-colossal-campaign-clutter/#When:00:41:30Z Bob Loy, Director of Environmental Programs During previous elections The Outdoor Circle mailed letters to all candidates for political office to educate them on how to comply with Hawaii’s campaign sign laws. We also asked candidates to protect the visual beauty of our neighborhoods by following a few common sense guidelines. But not this year. Look around our islands and you will quickly realize that sending the letter would be like closing the door after the horse has bolted from the barn. From Hanapepe to Ka‘u the islands of aloha already are awash with campaign signs and the worst is yet to come. Campaign signs were once a reliable representation of a candidate’s strength. A campaign sign in a family’s yard was a proud statement of their support. But today campaign signs are less about voter endorsements and more about candidates boasting about themselves. Their message: the candidate with the most and biggest signs is the best qualified for the job. But as campaign signs block the view planes at busy intersections and line the fences of major roadways the magnificence of the islands and the appeal of our communities becomes obscured and compromised. Some argue that it’s a small price to pay every couple of years. Usually it’s the candidates who make this argument. The truth is that this year campaign banners—many as large as mainland billboards—began appearing in February. By March campaign sign fever was in full swing. That means we are subjected to at least 6-plus months of signs for elections that occur every two years. In other words, our home, arguably the most beautiful place on earth, is cluttered with political campaign signs 25 percent of the time. And just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, it has. This is the year when you really get to know your candidates. Not from substantive discussions or forums….but in your face at 45 mph as you round the curve in Aina Haina or cruise Farrington Highway in Waipahu and are greeted by giant photographs of grinning politicians on banners flapping in the breeze. Hands down there are more larger-than-life photographs of faces on campaign banners in 2010 than any other year in memory. Many of these huge banners are attached to PVC frames that serve as billboards—in the leading anti-billboard state in the entire country. In the newest twist at least one candidate has created vertical billboard banners. The first one I saw was sitting atop a sign for another candidate. The total visual package reached at least 10 feet high on the utility pole to which it was illegally attached. So how can we protect Hawai‘i from becoming a campaign sign casualty while allowing candidates their right to identify themselves and supporters their right to reasonably display their support? Federal court rulings have held that this balance is possible by carefully crafting laws that impose sensible restrictions yet still allow voices to be heard. The Outdoor Circle has tried for several consecutive legislative sessions to convince lawmakers to respond to the challenge. While some candidates respect their communities and refrain from posting excessive campaign signs, we have learned that it is counterintuitive for most elected officials to limit their political advertising. Inside the State Capitol the conversations quickly turn from what’s best for their communities to what’s best for them. “My opponent will kill me with a million signs,” said one long time Representative. “I’ve got a garage full of them—they aren’t cheap,” lamented another. And my personal favorite: “A lot of businesses depend on our campaigns…signs are good for the economy.” How can we fight this type of logic? Unfortunately the campaign sign landscape isn’t likely to change in the near future. Honolulu Councilmember Ikaika Anderson has introduced a resolution to limit campaign signs but it has a long way to go before becoming law. In the meantime there is still time for candidates to show respect for the beauty of our islands and the sanctity of our neighborhoods: • Limit the number of signs on any one property. 20 signs are no more effective than two. • Limit the posting of huge banners, with or without photos. Use them at rallies and sign waving events instead. • Prohibit campaign signs from being posted on public property or utility poles. That’s already illegal. • Refrain from excessive advertising until 45 days before the election. • Remove all signs within 10 days after the election Finally, The Outdoor Circle encourages all voters to hold candidates accountable for their own actions and the behavior of their campaigns. If you see signs posted on public property including parks, medians or on the highway rights-of-way call the candidates or call The Outdoor Circle. We’ll make sure they clean up their act. But perhaps more important, let the candidates know that you’ll be casting your vote—not for the person who has the most signs or the biggest banners, but for the candidate who best demonstrates the ability to make Hawai‘i a better place. 2010-08-10T00:41:30+00:00 http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/u.-h.-student-fighting-to-save-campus-tree/ http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/u.-h.-student-fighting-to-save-campus-tree/#When:20:35:06Z A University of Hawaii student, Adam Williams, is asking for your support in his effort to save a rare tree that is targeted for removal from the Manoa campus to make way for a new student recreation center. Here is a link that will enable you to sign a petition calling for UH to save the tree. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savetree/?e The Outdoor Circle urges its supporters to visit the website and sign the petition. To learn the full details of The Outdoor Circle’s position on this issue please read my letter to U.H. Manoa Chancellor, Virginia Hinshaw. For further information, below are two articles about the issue. The first is a story that was published in the August 2009 issue of The Outdoor Circle Newsletter, Greenleaf. The second is a link to an article from a blog by KGMB news reporter Jim Mendoza and published on the KGMB website in October 2009. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this issue. Thank you for your continued support. Mary Stenier CEO U.H. Trees Face Chopping Block From Greenleaf, August 2009 TOC is fighting the removal of numerous trees including an extremely rare variety of Banyan are planned to be removed from the Campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The trees are in the way of a planned student recreation center adjacent to the UH Campus Center. TOC has urged Manoa Chancellor Virgina Hinshaw to move the project to a better location on the opposite side of the Campus Center. TOC says the building is being “shoehorned” into a space that is too close to other buildings and would require the “tragic removal” of the Banyan. The important “heritage tree” is believed to have been planted by the reknowned Botonist Dr. Joseph Rock and might be the only Banyan of its type in Hawai‘i. TOC believes the Campus Center administration wants construction to start before the project’s funding lapses. TOC told Hinshaw that rationale will result in rushing the project into the wrong site, for the wrong reasons. UH Manoa Tree At Root Of Controversy By Jim Mendoza, KGMB 9 News http://blogs.hawaiinewsnow.com/main/content/view/22189/40/ 2009-11-20T20:35:06+00:00 http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/honolulu-transit-back-to-the-drawing-board/ http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/honolulu-transit-back-to-the-drawing-board/#When:20:27:48Z From the day the City announced its plan for an above ground fixed guide way transit system, The Outdoor Circle (TOC) has been under pressure from its members and the community to take a position on the project. But our Board of Directors insisted that we participate in the process so that we could form an opinion based on facts and not just a knee-jerk reaction. In the ensuing three-plus years we have participated in scoping efforts, public presentations, meetings with consultants, briefings from project opponents, membership on the Mayor’s Transit Advisory Committee, and public hearings. We have studied the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and the exhaustive technical reports where the nitty-gritty of the project is revealed. In the end we are left with the conclusion that in its nearly 100 year history, The Outdoor Circle has seen no other proposal that holds the potential to degrade the landscape of O‘ahu and change the character of our communities as greatly as the Honolulu transit project. We believe it is destined to become the most visually disruptive project in the history of Hawai‘i. While its ability to ease traffic problems on O‘ahu is debatable, its negative impact on the visual environment of this island cannot be denied. To our disappointment the DEIS fails to adequately describe the cumulative impacts of the project or how those impacts will be mitigated with respect to view planes, street trees, landscaping, utility lines and overall intrusiveness in our communities. The document states that from the Ewa Plain through Pearl City and the airport region the fixed guide way and multiple above ground stations will intrude upon the undeveloped character of open space, block views of parks and historic sites and become the dominant feature in the view planes of every community. Once it reaches Chinatown it will disrupt the character of the pedestrian oriented environment. In the central business district, the fixed guide way and the proposed Downtown Station will block makai views, become the dominant features on Nimitz Highway and spoil the pedestrian character of the streetscape. From downtown to Ala Moana Center the project will intrude upon homes and offices and block protected mauka-makai views of the Ko‘olau and Waianae Mountains; the ocean and Honolulu Harbor and Diamond Head, Punchbowl and Aliamanu craters. Of equal concern is the fate of more than 800 street trees. Perhaps 500 trees will be transplanted to unspecified areas leaving a possible deficit of more than 300 trees. The DEIS states that to mitigate the damage a contractor “would” prepare new planting plans and that additional trees “could” be planted. We believe the public needs an accurate accounting of what will happen to these trees. Of great distress is the proposal to eliminate “notable” trees—19 Kamani Trees on Dillingham Boulevard and 23 Monkey pod Trees on Kapiolani Boulevard near University Avenue. There are no plans included to protect trees adjacent to the construction. This could result in predictable damage and the potential loss of hundreds of additional trees. The DEIS does not explain how the city will mitigate the harsh presence of hundreds of support columns and more than two dozen transit stations. The DEIS also is silent regarding commercial signage in, around or on any part of the project—including all transit oriented development. Such signage might violate existing state and/or county sign laws. The DEIS should forbid any exterior commercial advertising on the train, transit stations or any portion of the transit infrastructure. This project also offers an opportunity to remove a persistent eyesore from our communities—the overbearing presence of utility poles and lines. Relocating all utility lines along the transit route and placing them underground or beneath the fixed guide way will enhance the view planes and provide mitigation for the visual damage created by the project. The combined visual burden of the fixed guide way in addition to the overhead utility lines is completely unacceptable and has not been evaluated in the document. In conclusion, the Board of Directors of The Outdoor Circle believes the City has substantially downplayed the visual impacts the project will have on our communities and on our quality of life. Nor does it offer acceptable mitigation throughout the DEIS for the harm this project will inflict. We believe the final EIS must acknowledge the mountain of negative impacts that will be caused by the project and present effective mitigation plans. If this is not done we believe the City should abandon the above ground fixed guide way and replace it with an alternative system that will not be as destructive and divisive as the current proposal. 2009-04-13T20:27:48+00:00 http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/tocs-signs-brochure/ http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/tocs-signs-brochure/#When:14:53:00Z Oahu Signs Brochure We’ve all seen signs that don’t look quite right. Most O‘ahu residents know that billboards are illegal in Hawai‘i and about Honolulu’s strict signage codes. But the laws are confusing and applying them even more so. The Outdoor Circle’s Signs Committee decided to help. The committee developed a brochure which attempts to decipher the ordinances so that most of us can more easily understand the rules. Link to the PDF file below and let us know if you have any questions. Better yet, if you see what you think may be an illegal sign don’t hesitate to report it to either the city or the state. Remember, you always must have an address where the sign is located and a detailed description of the sign in question. Oahu Signs Brochure 2008-07-22T14:53:00+00:00 http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/a-sorry-sign-of-the-times/ http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/a-sorry-sign-of-the-times/#When:15:04:00Z In my fifteen plus years with The Outdoor Circle I have never experienced what happened to House Bill 1832 Relating to Outdoor Advertising. The bill, introduced at the urging of The Outdoor Circle, was written to limit the posting of political signs on residential properties by restricting the size and number of signs allowed. We were excited when the bill passed Conference Committee and was scheduled for a full vote by both the House and Senate on Tuesday April 27. Both statewide newspapers, the Advertiser and Star Bulletin, supported the bill and ran editorials strongly in favor of controlling campaign signs. At what was scheduled to be the Senate’s final floor vote, HB 1832 CD1 was passed 18-6. The legislators then recessed, caucused amongst themselves, went back into session, and voted again. Instead of passing HB 1832 they voted to send the bill back to committee, thus killing it. Later in the day the House members followed suit. Hundreds of hours were spent working with our elected officials to make sure they understood the legislation. Sadly, our legislators decided to put their own self interests ahead of the beauty of these islands. We continue to discuss the best way to proceed. One way you can help if you feel as strongly as we do is by writing a letter to the editors of both papers stating your support for limiting campaign signs and showing disgust at how the bill was killed. Needless to say we’re very disappointed. If you have any insights or thoughts as to how we should proceed please use this forum to let us know. HB 1832 can be found at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/HB1832_CD1_.htm The section of the article in the Advertiser pertaining to HB 1832 reads as follows: “Lawmakers in both chambers voted to shelve a bill that would have restricted political campaign signs on residential property to 4-by-2 feet and a total of 16 square feet for all signs. The bill was important to The Outdoor Circle and cleared a House and Senate conference committee last week. But support for the bill fell apart in private caucus. The Senate at first voted to pass the bill yesterday but then reconsidered. State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua’i, Ni’ihau), explained that the bill would have applied to other signs, such as advertisements for chicken sales or fan support for University of Hawai’i sports, and would have interfered with county home rule. Hooser made a personal commitment to work with Outdoor Circle and others before next session on a new draft.” 2008-05-01T15:04:00+00:00 http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/tell-us-what-you-think-about-honolulus-proposed-transit-system/ http://www.outdoorcircle.org/blog/tell-us-what-you-think-about-honolulus-proposed-transit-system/#When:19:10:00Z The Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project is one of the most important public projects in O‘ahu history. As proposed, it also will be a visible fixture on O‘ahu’s landscape. The train’s fixed guideway will rise from about 20 feet above grade to a maximum of about 80 feet as it traverses the 20 mile route from East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center. The project also will include 19 transit stations and accompanying commercial development. The City estimates the cost of the current proposal at approximately $3.8 billion—$5 to $6 billion if the route is extended to the University of Hawaii and Waikiki. Others claim the costs will be one-third higher. A great debate is being waged in Honolulu and within The Outdoor Circle over the monetary and aesthetic costs of the project versus its potential benefits. For more than two years TOC has attended public meetings and hearings, become involved in the Mayor’s Transit Advisory Committee and carefully observed the community reaction to the transit proposal. We received multiple briefings from the City’s transit contractors as well as from opponents of the City’s transit plans. And we have extensively toured the likely transit route. The following resolution was adopted by The Outdoor Circle’s Board of Directors: Whereas, The Outdoor Circle recognizes the benefits of public transportation, and Whereas, The Outdoor Circle has concerns about the currently proposed transit fixed guide way system, and Whereas, The Outdoor Circle considers it essential that protecting the visual environment to be a priority in the planning, construction and operation of any transit system, Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Directors of The Outdoor Circle urges the City and County of Honolulu to adopt policies and practices to ensure a clean, green and beautiful island of O‘ahu. A Statement Supporting Transit By Kathy Whitmire, Board Advisor, TOC Honolulu’s traffic congestion speaks for itself! We must move forward now with the creation of a new transit system. The City chose a fixed guideway system because it has greater passenger capacity, lower operating costs and results in less traffic congestion than any alternative. Transit oriented development will help stem urban sprawl across Oahu’s agricultural and open lands, encourage the development of livable, walkable communities around transit stations and increase transit ridership. Honolulu’s transit plan includes protection of view corridors and street trees and a design that embodies Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage. TOC must take an active part in the planning and design phase to ensure that these principles are followed and that scenic beauty is not sacrificed but enhanced. We must also make sure that • there is no relaxation of Oahu’s strong sign control regulations • transit-oriented developments include open space such as pocket parks and plazas • utility lines are placed underground as part of the project • landscaping is well designed and maintained throughout the system. With strong participation by TOC, Honolulu can have a transit system that enhances the visual environment while conserving energy, reducing air pollution and avoiding the need for more highways. A Statement Opposing Transit By Jane Morris, Public Affairs Co-Chair, Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle I favor transit that allows more mobility for our citizens, reduces traffic congestion and is cost efficient. The City’s proposal will not meet these tests. Nor will it meet the goals that guide The Outdoor Circle: CLEAN We must maintain our communities and protect our view planes. Our parks and roadways are overgrown with weeds. Will there be money to clean these and other eyesores after we pay for Transit? The City says $1.2 Billion will be Federal money. The Feds say only $500 Million. The City increased the excise tax but will Transit costs cause city maintenance and other programs such as recycling to slide even further? GREEN How many of our beautiful, mature trees will be removed to construct the elevated guideway? Will this plan use less fossil fuel, show a net energy saving and be less polluting than the alternatives? BEAUTIFUL The elevated train and its 19 huge transit stations will be an ever-present eyesore as it snakes through communities; skirts along the waterfront; plows through downtown, Kakaako, Moiliili and ultimately over the H-1 freeway to the University. The Outdoor Circle must protect Honolulu from the visual blight and the many unintended consequences of Transit. Help shape public opinion. Tell us what you think by posting your opinion to this blog. 2008-03-17T19:10:00+00:00