Caldwell Press Release

Caldwell Press Release

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  PRESS RELEASE MAYOR KIRKCALDWELL CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, May 3, 2019 Press Office: (808) 768-5768 Statement on construction of multi-purpose field at Waimānalo Bay Beach Park Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell issued the following statement today about the construction of a multi-purpose field at Waimānalo Bay Beach Park after receiving a letter from City Council member Ikaika Anderson (letter attached): “City Council member Ikaika Anderson, a dedicated public servant who has consistently advocated for his Waimānalo community during all seven years I have been mayor, has requested the city halt all grubbing work for Phase 1 improvements at Waimānalo Bay Beach Park until September 15. This is out of understandable concern for the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat. As highlighted in the master plan’s Environmental Assessment (EA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service states the clearing of woody plants over 15-feet tall should not occur after June 1 to protect young Hawaiian hoary bats. The city has informed the contractor that all grubbing work for Phase 1 needs to be finished by the end of this month as mandated by the EA. We are relying on the findings of the final EA and not the draft EA, which is consistent with the policy for the EA process. Therefore, the city contactor will be proceeding with grubbing work until the end of this month and then such work will stop. However, canceling the contract for Phase 1 of the Waimānalo Bay Beach Park Master Plan, which has already been awarded and construction started, would cost taxpayers as much as $300,000. Therefore, the city will proceed with the completion of Phase 1, which includes a multi-purpose field, a play apparatus, and an 11 stall parking lot at a cost of $1.43 million. The city will thereafter review, in cooperation with Councilmember Anderson, whether to proceed with any additional work phases.” —PAU—