State Senate shelves measure to fast-track hospital in Waipio
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
The state Senate has decided to not hear a controversial House bill that would fast-track the Pacific Health Center in Waipio because of concerns that it would circumvent established land-use practices and the authority of the Honolulu City Council.
Sen. Cal Kawamoto said his Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee will not hear the measure because it would set a dangerous precedent by allowing the developer to bypass the city's land-use approval process.
Ethical questions also have been raised because House Bill 550 was introduced by Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa), an unpaid member of the boards of Pacific Health and partner Wahiawa General Hospital.
It also generated attention because the exemptions sought would have included residential and commercial portions of Castle and Cooke's Koa Ridge project. The proposed Pacific Health Center is part of the Koa Ridge project.
Both Oshiro and Castle and Cooke officials denied there was any intentional attempt to include other portions of the project under the bill.
The ages-old Wahiawa hospital would be relocated as part of the proposed health center on 210 acres near Ka Uka Boulevard and the Waipio Costco. The site would include high-tech medical components, including a sports medicine complex and a biotechnology institute.
Oshiro has lobbied hard for the bill, calling it essential because the city has been stalling the measure and endangering the future of the hospital. He did not think the bill needed to go to the Council Zoning Committee since most Council members had already expressed support for the project, Oshiro said.
Environmentalists challenged the bill, calling it a bow to special interests and a measure that would allow the city's land-use policies to be ignored.
Kawamoto, D-18th (Waipahu, Crestview, Pearl City), who also is a member of the Wahiawa hospital board and supports the construction of the medical facility, said he agrees with the environmentalists. Not only are the city's checks and balances being ignored, he said, it would not be fair to other developers that Pacific Health and Castle and Cooke would be granted exemptions not allowed to others.
Kawamoto said he believes Oshiro "means well" and that hospital officials simply got frustrated with the time it was taking. He said he did not believe there was a veiled attempt to include all of Koa Ridge.
Council Zoning Chairman Charles Djou said he is happy with the Senate's decision to shelve "a terrible bill" but remains nervous that it could be revived in conference committee.
But Oshiro said he has given up on the bill.
"At this point, it's all up to the city whether this project moves forward," he said, adding that he's buoyed by a recent commitment by Djou to move expeditiously.
The measure moved out of the House earlier this month by a contentious 35-14 vote with two members excused from voting. One of those excused was Rep. Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa), an attorney whose firm represents Pacific Health and asked to not be allowed to vote because he believed he had a conflict. House Speaker Calvin Say declared no conflict for Oshiro, who was allowed to vote.
