Posted on: Monday, September 22, 2003

ISLAND VOICES
The Beast that roams over 'Ewa

By Glenn Oamilda
President of the 'Ewa Beach Community Association

When the 'Ewa Plain was designated the Second City, the city envisioned huge windfall profits from the booming housing construction along the Fort Weaver Road corridor in 'Ewa.

However, the city, by the mid-'90s, was completely overwhelmed by approval requests for land zoning and rezoning, waivers, amendments and permits for housing construction. Unable to control growth and development in the 'Ewa area, or even attempt to mitigate the mounting impacts, the city, it became clear, had yielded its inherent governing powers to the developers, landowner and politicians.

So, the thought of a "balanced growth" on the 'Ewa Plains spelled out in the 'Ewa Development Plan has all been for naught. When left dying, sapped of political power, the developers "morphed" into a beast with the landowner and politicians in its belly, moved in for the kill and strangled the city of its last breath, leaving it powerless in the region.

Now the Beast is loose and free to roam. It slithers along the 'Ewa landscape, showing no emotion. It hungers for profits.

The Beast has unleashed havoc on the residents. The mounting impacts have intensified to a point that living in the 'Ewa area has become unbearable — mentally, physically and financially. And, too, the Beast shows no compassion for 'Ewa's eroding quality of life and lifestyle.

Traffic for years had been a major problem; it continues to balloon. The two housing developers along Fort Weaver Road, Haseko and 'Ewa by Gentry, continue to build at a rampant, uncontrolled, fast-track pace.

This past 2003 legislative session, monies were appropriated through HD 200 CDI to add yet another light at Honowai Street and Kunia Road in Waipahu, about 100 yards makai to the entrance of H-1. If installed, it will result in total traffic chaos.

The 'Ewa community has asked Gov. Lingle to withdraw funding, but a fat chance she can do it. Sen. Cal Kawamoto, who wields considerable legislative power and political clout, will emerge from the belly of the Beast to squash her attempt to do so.

However, still hopeful, the people of 'Ewa continue to believe that a leader will emerge, freeing us from bondage by slaying this ugly Beast.