[Official press release as submitted by the Office of Senator David Y. Ige]
State Senator David Ige (16th District) and Deputy Director Laurence Lau (Department of Health) announced the creation of a task force on Waimano Ridge. They will serve as Co-Chairs of the task force. The task force is a collaborative effort to encourage communication, increase community involvement, and to develop consensus on the existing and future uses of one of the largest parcels of state land on Oahu.
The 242-acre Waimano Ridge, located in the Pearl City area, is in close proximity to schools and residences, and there is a heightened awareness and concern for the future development and use of the ridge. A master plan was created for the property in 1993, but changes in law and in treatment practices for the developmentally disabled rendered the plan unusable, leaving many of the buildings and facilities to fall into disrepair.
State and health department officials would like to reexamine the condition of the Waimano Ridge property and its facilities and help to develop a consensus between the state, various stake holders, and the community on the future of the area. They hope that the new task force will ultimately lead to an updated master plan and enhanced communication and understanding about the property.
"Our community has demonstrated that they are part of the solution, not the problem, when discussing issues that impact their lives," State Senator David Ige noted. "The task force will plan an important role in developing consensus on future uses and in recreating the image that Pearl city residents have about Waimano Ridge. We will also create a website that will serve to consolidate information about the ridge and allow us to provide current information about activities on the property."
Health Department officials are also optimistic about the task force and the results it will bring about. "The Task Force will help to focus and improve communication between the department and the community about Waimano Ridge," said Laurence Lau.
The task force's first meeting will be held at the Pearl City Cultural Center on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at 7PM, and the public is invited to observe this organizational meeting.