2011 Chapter Awards

The 2011 APA Hawai‘i awards jury noted that implementation of a network of bicycle and pedestrian trails is important to Hilo citizens and other Big Island residents. Addressing the many issues and needs of a bayfront trail system requires an immense amount of input from a multitude of diverse stakeholders. This report could serve as a model for others to emulate in terms of local citizen and other stakeholder involvement. The plan contained effective use of photographs and sketches in the report to capture the workshop results. The plan included three public meetings over a one-year period with input from participants compiled, submitted to the advisory committee and presented in the report. The effort considered other existing plans such as the Hawai‘i Long Range Land Transportation Plan and the Beach Park Master Plans. The plan also provides for future recreational destinations beyond the immediate project boundary and is consistent with federal, state and county development requirements.

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The 2011 APA Hawaii awards jury noted this plan was a very comprehensive effort in citizen participation and development of all of the essential project elements necessary for master planning a functional community. The compact, mixed-use design incorporates sustainability throughout the transit-oriented design and pedestrian-friendly features. The project is designed to meet LEED-ND criteria. The use of planning workshops to involve key stakeholders with in-progress sessions with the public proved to be very effective. The project exemplifies sustainable development concepts for possible emulation by other neighborhood focused projects. The collaboration exhibited between the developer (Forest City) and HHFDC serves as an excellent example for how private-public partnerships can benefit the community.

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The 2011 APA Hawai‘i awards jury noted that although the focus of this project was the Lāwa‘i Bay, its overall approach was to develop a holistic and community-based process to balance resource preservation and public enjoyment of the many natural and cultural resources located in the Lāwa‘i ahupua‘a. Given that public access to Lāwa‘i Bay by land is already limited and the area is becoming more and more developed, it and NTBG’s Allerton Garden are being increasingly threatened with over-usage. This plan spells out what should be a highly effective tool — a Conservation District Special Subzone—for managing the use of critical environmental and natural resources while providing for an appropriate level of public access. The process of involving some 23 diverse stakeholders over three years in the preparation of this plan also represented an exemplary effort at establishing a level of community buy-in that will be key to its effective implementation.

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The 2011 APA Hawai‘i awards jury noted that this Corridor Management Plan presents a highly appropriate and effective way to address the many sensitive stakeholder issues relating to preserving and managing the scenic, historic and cultural resources along the seven mile stretch of Ali‘i Drive. Also noteworthy was the extensive collaboration between stakeholders (residents, businesses and government) that led to consensus building and overall buy-in on the project. The report is very well written and illustrated with maps and photos (both ground and aerial) that provide a strong sense of the historic/cultural value of the location and emphasize the scenic values of the byway. The report provided a very comprehensive cultural and visual context. It included several components of supporting processes such as meetings and technical analysis such as traffic and safety hazard analysis as appendices.

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The 2011 APA Hawai‘i awards jury noted that this project took advantage of the opportunity to develop modified design standards specific to this project. The concepts and standards proposed address urban development while maintaining the rural character by keeping energy conservation, pedestrian friendliness, appearance and function at the forefront. The jury also noted that the project reduces potable water use for irrigation and the amount of stormwater runoff with bioswales and underground catchment chambers. The project also went through an extensive community and public input process as part of the land use entitlement reviews. Other sustainable features include reduced utility requirements and reduced impacts to natural resources. Pedestrian and bike-friendly features will encourage mobility and independence for all age groups.

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