Development: Planning in Crisis
Chronicles the environmental and land-use crises, from the Waiāhole-Waikāne protests to the passage of the State Plan.
A Decade of Growing Pains
The 1970s were a time of rapid change in Hawai‘i, as urban expansion collided with environmental concerns and community frustrations over resource management. The state faced mounting pressure to balance growth with preservation, prompting new approaches to urban and regional planning.
Nationally, the environmental movement gained momentum with legislation like the Clean Air Act (1970) and the Coastal Zone Management Act (1972). Locally, Hawai‘i advanced its own priorities with measures such as Act 132, which established the Office of Environmental Quality Control and the University of Hawai‘i Environmental Center. These initiatives reflected a growing recognition that unchecked development could jeopardize Hawai‘i’s future.
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Waipi‘o’s Future in Question
Planning at the state and local levels became a pivotal issue as O‘ahu faced rapid urbanization. A proposal to redesignate 510 acres of Waipi‘o farmland for urban development ignited intense debates in Honolulu. Developer Gentry-Pacific’s plans for housing and industrial projects collided with concerns about preserving O‘ahu’s agricultural base and mitigating the strain on local infrastructure. The controversy exposed deeper conflicts among city planners, policymakers, and private interests.
Explore the full story and its impact on O‘ahu’s urban growth and land-use policies in the Hawai‘i Observer (1974): The Waipi‘o-Gentry General Plan Amendment.
The Open Space Plan and Early Reforms
One of the era’s landmark initiatives was the Open Space Plan, developed by Stewart Udall’s Overview Corporation. The plan called for a “special definition of progress” that prioritized farmland preservation and countered urban sprawl. Legislative reforms followed, including agricultural land banking and the creation of the Temporary Statewide Commission on Environmental Planning in 1973.
Despite these efforts, tensions mounted. The State Land Use Commission (LUC) became a lightning rod for controversy, with its decisions often criticized as opaque and inconsistent. The Waiāhole-Waikāne crisis on Windward O‘ahu exemplified the challenges of reconciling urban development with rural preservation.
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The Fight for Hawai‘i’s Agricultural Lands
In 1974, the McCandless family submitted a controversial proposal to rezone over 1,000 acres of agricultural land for urban development, sparking widespread resistance from tenant farmers and community advocates. The proposed project, which aimed to convert fertile farmland in the Waiāhole and Waikāne valleys into residential and commercial properties, raised alarms about the future of local agriculture, the preservation of open space, and the cultural significance of the land. As reported in the Hawai‘i Observer (1974): Preserving a Way of Life, the residents of Waiāhole and Waikāne Valleys united to fight against urban development, striving to protect their homes and community from encroaching suburban development.
The crisis also brought scrutiny to the Land Use Commission (LUC), which was accused of being overly influenced by developers and failing to uphold its responsibility to prioritize long-term public interests over short-term economic gains. Allegations of corruption and favoritism undermined public confidence in the agency, highlighting the lack of clear, enforceable standards for land use decisions and the absence of meaningful community input in the planning process.
View film footage of the Waiāhole/Waikāne march from the ‘Ulu‘ulu Moving Image Archive of Hawai‘i.
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The Waiāhole-Waikāne Crisis
In 1974, the McCandless family proposed rezoning over 1,000 acres of agricultural land in Waiāhole and Waikāne for urban development. This sparked fierce opposition from tenant farmers and community advocates, who feared the displacement of local agriculture and the loss of open space.
The rezoning proposal exposed weaknesses in Hawai‘i’s planning framework. Public trust in the LUC eroded amid allegations of corruption, and the absence of clear standards for land use decisions left communities feeling powerless. By December, the LUC rejected the proposal, but the crisis underscored the need for a more transparent and accountable planning process.
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Hawai‘i State Planning Act (1978)
Enacted in 1978, the Hawai‘i State Planning Act established a comprehensive framework for Hawai‘i’s development, ensuring the sustainable use of resources and fostering coordination between state and county agencies. The Act seeks to improve government effectiveness, enhance the planning process, and guide Hawai‘i’s long-term development. It emphasizes balancing economic growth with environmental preservation while addressing critical statewide concerns like affordable housing, quality education, and effective land use.
The Act’s emphasis on balancing economic development with environmental preservation created a more accountable planning process, one designed to meet the needs of future generations while protecting Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources. It remains a cornerstone of state policy, influencing decisions that shape the islands’ future and addressing the unique challenges of managing limited resources in a fragile island ecosystem.
Explore the Hawai‘i State Planning Act Overview for a deeper look at its goals, structure, and lasting impact.
Ariyoshi’s Response: A Unified Vision for Planning
Governor George Ariyoshi recognized the need for a cohesive, forward-looking approach to guide Hawai‘i’s growth and development. The islands were experiencing rapid changes in the 1970s, including population growth, tourism expansion, and increasing environmental concerns. Ariyoshi saw these challenges as opportunities to build a sustainable future, one that balanced economic development with the preservation of Hawai‘i’s unique cultural and natural resources.
In 1975, Ariyoshi established the Hawai‘i State Planning Policy Council (SPPC) to create a comprehensive State Plan. This initiative sought to align state and county policies under a unified framework, addressing a range of pressing issues, from housing and transportation to environmental conservation and economic diversification. The SPPC brought together government officials, community leaders, and experts, ensuring that the planning process reflected a broad spectrum of perspectives and priorities.
By 1978, Ariyoshi’s vision became institutionalized through the landmark Hawai‘i State Planning Act. This legislation created the State Plan, a dynamic framework designed to guide the state’s policies and investments in alignment with long-term goals. The Act emphasized collaboration between state and county governments, ensuring that local initiatives complemented statewide objectives. It also introduced mechanisms for public input, reinforcing Ariyoshi’s commitment to inclusive governance.
Ariyoshi described the State Plan as “second in importance only to our State Constitution,” highlighting its pivotal role in shaping Hawai‘i’s future. The plan not only provided a roadmap for sustainable development but also reflected Ariyoshi’s belief in proactive, participatory governance. His administration’s emphasis on planning set a precedent for future leaders, ensuring that Hawai‘i’s policies would be guided by a shared vision of economic, environmental, and social well-being.
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Redeveloping Kakaʻako
The Kakaʻako redevelopment project aimed to transform the area from an industrial hub into a mixed-use urban community, reintegrating residential, commercial, and public spaces. Led by the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority, the plan sought to promote efficient land use, reduce urban sprawl, and encourage public transportation.
Balancing the needs of renters, small businesses, and powerful landowners like the Bishop and Ward Estates proved challenging. Concerns over affordable housing, business displacement, and preserving Kakaʻako’s cultural character underscored the complexities of urban redevelopment and the risk of gentrification. Learn more about the promises and challenges of urban renewal in the 1978 issue of the Hawai‘i Observer: Pitfalls and Promises of Urban Renewal.
The 1978 Constitutional Convention: A Turning Point for Planning
While the State Plan represented progress, its limitations became clear. The 1978 Constitutional Convention aimed to address these shortcomings by embedding key planning principles directly into Hawai‘i’s constitution.
Delegates crafted amendments to safeguard agricultural lands, enhance public participation in land use decisions, and establish clearer standards for agencies like the LUC. These reforms marked a decisive shift toward a more transparent and sustainable planning culture.
