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Residents at HCDA hearing urge reconsideration of park rules and warn of street-level retail losses in Ward Village
Summary
During the same March 4 HCDA hearing several residents raised concerns that recent park restrictions and security practices have hurt community trust and that ongoing construction has led to retail vacancies and reduced street-level vibrancy; supporters of the project emphasized jobs and housing benefits.
Several residents used the public-comment portion of the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority’s March 4 hearing to describe quality-of-life impacts in Ward Village amid ongoing construction and management changes.
Alan Salonski, a neighborhood resident, said he has seen “significant suffering” in the community related to construction impacts and that many street-level retail spaces appear closed or closing, a trend he said undermines the walkable, retail-rich environment residents were promised.
Other residents raised objections to restrictions on dogs in Ward Village parks. Leela Goldstein told the authority she and other buyers relied on Ward Village’s pet-friendly marketing when they purchased homes and said signage banning dogs and aggressive enforcement have left residents feeling surveiled and unwelcome. "The parks have become a meaningful part of my life...a full ban removes access to shared community spaces that residents have relied on," Goldstein said.
Supporters of the amendment — including representatives of construction unions, landscape contractors, local restaurateurs and development subcontractors — urged HCDA to approve the Mahana amendment, emphasizing job creation, economic activity and added housing close to transit.
HCDA staff recorded 110 written testimonies (64 in support, three opposed, and 43 comments-only) and allowed dozens of verbal remarks. The authority agreed to keep the record open for materials related to the applicant’s requested rule modifications and scheduled a modification hearing for March 5, 2026.
What happens next: Residents seeking changes to park rules or enforcement practices will need to pursue those issues through the HCDA record and through Ward Village management channels; HCDA will consider submitted modification materials before taking final action on the amended PDP.
