Posted on: Friday, March 16, 2001
Kahalu'u neighbors split over home plan
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward Bureau
Although once denied, a Kahalu'u couple will try again to convince the state land board that it should allow a second home on the couple's 1.5-acre Lulani Street property.
This time around, Richard and Betty Knake will also have to contend with two neighborhood groups that object to the Knakes' request on their split-zoned (conservation/urban) lot.
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources hearing officer, William Milks, last week granted Genesis Plus and Lulani Association the right to intervene in the Knakes' contested-case hearing for a conservation district use application.
Genesis Plus represents neighbors on each side of the Knakes. The Lulani Association is a loosely-knit neighborhood group that was formed about two years ago.
In the past, neighbors have opposed the Knakes' request because, they said, the second home would encroach on conservation land and potentially open the area to rampant development.
The contested-case hearing is set for December.
Richard Knake objected to the Lulani Association inclusion in the process, saying it was neither a public association of all residents on the street nor official.
"It's a secretive group," Knake said, explaining that he's been left out when notices of meetings about his project were called and has not been allowed to participate in the meetings.
John Goody, speaking for the association, said the group was formed to address such issues as traffic calming, speeding and beach cleaning. The Knakes always were invited to participate, he said.
Some 31 homeowners have asked Goody and three others to speak on their behalf concerning this issue, Goody said.
The Knakes have a home situated on 15,000 square feet of urban-zoned land, and want to build a second, smaller home on the conservation portion of the property.
The state allows reasonable use of conservation land, including building a home, but last year denied the Knakes' application, saying there were too many unresolved technical issues, said Sam Lemmo, a DLNR planner.
