Committee advances Haleʻolipoa Aiea project after votes on SMA and 201H exemptions amid water and cultural concerns

The Committee on Zoning on Jan. 16 took consecutive actions on the Haleʻolipoa affordable rental housing project in Aiea, advancing both a Special Management Area (SMA) major permit (Resolution 25‑23 CD1) and reporting out HRS Chapter 201H exemptions (Resolution 25‑26 CD1) after committee debate and public testimony.

What the council acted on

Resolution 25‑23 CD1 (SMA): The committee amended the SMA resolution to a CD1 and, after a roll call, reported it out for adoption. Vote: Vice Chair dos Santos Tam — Aye; Council member Cordero — No (recorded objection); Council member Okimoto — Aye; Council member Weier — Aye; Chair Kia Aina — Aye (4 ayes, 1 no).

Resolution 25‑26 CD1 (201H exemptions): The committee amended the 201H exemptions resolution to CD1 and reported it out for adoption with a roll call. Vote recorded on the transcript: Vice Chair dos Santos Tam — Aye; Council member Cordero — No; Council member Okimoto — Aye; Council member Weier — Absent; Chair Kia Aina — Aye (3 ayes, 1 no, 1 absent). The committee noted a 45‑day statutory deadline for council action on 201H approvals and that the SMA permit must be granted before 201H exemptions are approved.

Project and developer presentation

Ikenakea Development (presenters Keegan Flaherty and Nainoa Watson) described Haleʻolipoa as an…