Community CDC pitches park, preschool and a 12‑acre boat storage plan to ease neighborhood congestion

Bo Cahooi, interim executive director of Laipo Community Development Corporation, presented a package of community proposals on May 19 asking DHHL to (1) approve or review a right‑of‑entry for a village park and preschool, (2) extend malama and repairs under an existing ROE on a GNLIS‑owned site, and (3) consider a 12‑acre boat and vehicle storage facility at the Honokah harbor access to reduce unsafe street parking.

Cahooi said the CDC is a qualified 501(c)(3) and has prepared a budget estimate for the storage facility (approximately $1.184 million) including civil work, fencing and engineering. He proposed a potential arrangement in which an engineer would take a 2‑acre sublease in exchange for discounted engineering services, reducing net capital needs. "One million bucks to get a facility that could generate income both for the CDC as well as the association," he said.

Commissioners asked about liability, insurance, community priority and traffic; Cahooi said the CDC would carry insurance, install fencing and card‑controlled gate access, and give priority to beneficiaries in initial allocation. Staff discussed the need for master planning and traffic flow considerations and noted any ROE or long‑term sublease would require commission approval and environmental and civil work.

The item was informational; commissioners encouraged the CDC to continue refining plans, engage with adjacent county park negotiations, confirm insurance/indemnity structure, and return with a detailed proposal and potential funding sources (CIP, GIA, grants).