Do you agree with the following vision element? "Maintain the Community Growth Boundary to Protect Agricultural, Open Space, and Natural Resources"   View the 2011 NSSCP description of this vision element below: The North Shore is characterized by vast tracts of agricultural lands, open spaces, and natural and cultural resources. To protect these resources from development, the Community Growth Boundary was established to guide development and preserve open space and agricultural areas. It has remained fixed since it was first established in 2000, and no new development has occurred outside the Community Growth Boundary. The Community Growth Boundary has served as a valuable tool to guide resource management, future development or redevelopment within existing zoning designations or future zoning designations, and other standards or guidelines that have been developed in response to plan provisions, other established entitlements, or in accordance with pertinent policy and character described in this plan. The Community Growth Boundary defines, protects, and contains communities in areas which the General Plan designates “rural” and which exhibit the physical characteristics of rural lifestyles. The boundary provides adequate lands for facilities needed to support established communities, and protects such communities from more intense land uses and patterns of development associated with more urban areas. The Community Growth Boundary also preserves areas outside the boundary for agriculture or other resource or open space values. Where appropriate, the area within this boundary also contains open space elements considered essential to the character of the rural community being defined. Open space elements within the Community Growth Boundary may include lands designated “Park,” “Agriculture,” “Preservation,” or areas with development-related hazards such as steep slopes or unstable soils. Rural communities defined by this boundary consist of residential communities and towns that are smaller, more dispersed, and less intensively developed than those in O‘ahu’s urban or urban fringe areas. Development character is generally low density, low rise, small scale, and reflective of a “country” setting. Within residential areas, the landscaping and front yards which provide the foregrounds to their respective residences are the principal visual elements. In commercial areas, the pedestrian environment and associated amenities predominate, and storefronts are typically found on both sides of the street. Commercial buildings are oriented principally toward the street, relate readily to the human scale, and are organized to encourage interaction between the public and private domains. As shown on Exhibit 2.1, the Community Growth Boundary on the North Shore conceptually defines the limits of residential, commercial, industrial, or other similar uses. As no proposals for these types of uses can be considered outside the Community Growth Boundary, this boundary also prevents the encroachment of development onto agricultural lands and open space resources. Areas outside the Community Growth Boundary include agricultural lands as well as preservation lands with important open space, scenic, or natural resource values. Uses such as commercial and industrial development, public and private schools, and residential subdivisions with no bona fide agricultural activities are not permitted in these areas. Permissible land uses outside the Community Growth Boundary include agriculture and limited low-intensity types of outdoor recreational uses where appropriate, such as on nonagricultural lands or agricultural lands that are not suitable for intensive cultivation, provided they do not diminish the agricultural potential of these sites or jeopardize the open space, natural and scenic character of these resources. Other permitted uses outside the Community Growth Boundary include environmental and educational programs and facilities that are resource compatible, such as a high technology learning center that uses existing facilities at Camp Mokulē‘ia and Camp Erdman in Mokulē‘ia. Rural communities within the Community Growth Boundary include concentrations of residential, commercial, and industrial uses as well as the network of roads, parks, and open spaces which define their edges or give them character. Relative to the State Land Use District boundaries, the Community Growth Boundary generally circumscribes built-up sections of Mokulē‘ia, Waialua, Hale‘iwa, Kawailoa, and Sunset Beach that are within the State Urban District. It also includes portions of the State Agricultural District in Sunset Hills and Pūpūkea that are zoned Country, as well as portions of the State Agricultural District makai of the highway in Hale‘iwa and Waialua that are designated and zoned for agricultural use. However, except for limited “infill” areas in Hale‘iwa and Waialua Towns that are contiguous to lands designated for residential and commercial use, agricultural lands within the Community Growth Boundary continue to remain in the State Agricultural District and continue to be designated and zoned as Agriculture, so as to maintain the agricultural uses and/or open space value within the Community Growth Boundary.  Within this boundary, open space continues to define communities, and significant natural resources (such as streams, natural drainageways, wetlands, and fishponds) are protected. New development within the Community Growth Boundary has been limited to infill low-density, low-rise development contiguous to existing built areas, to promote a compact form of development with lower development costs and more efficient utilization of existing infrastructure systems. The infill areas within the Community Growth Boundary have had ample capacity to accommodate residential, commercial, and industrial needs to the year 2035. 

Do you agree with the following vision element? "Enhance the Region's Recreational and Educational Potential"   View the 2011 NSSCP description of this vision element below: The North Shore is known for its numerous beach parks, world famous surf spots, and abundant mauka and makai resources. Recreational resources along the shoreline are preserved and enhanced, and access to the shoreline has been expanded. Facility improvements such as bathrooms, showers, and parking have been completed, and beach parks were expanded to meet island-wide demands on these resources. Maintenance and improvements to existing beach parks, additional access to the shoreline, and acquisition of beach right-of-ways continue to be a priority. Access to the mauka areas has been expanded for appropriate forms of recreational opportunities that do not compromise significant environmental resources or important agricultural activities. Above Mokulē‘ia, Hale‘iwa, and Pūpūkea, mauka access has been expanded for hiking, camping, hunting, and horseback riding and other resource-compatible forms of recreation within the context of sound resource management. Low-impact, resource-sensitive environmental, educational, and cultural interpretive programs are being accommodated at Ka‘ena Point and in the mauka areas of Mokulē‘ia, Hale‘iwa, Waimea and Pūpūkea. While promoting expanded access and recreational opportunities to coastal and mauka resources, the value of the resources remains protected from overuse. A high technology learning center is operating at Mokulē‘ia, and a resource center for technology training and long-distance learning serves Waialua schools. More community-based parks for area residents with better maintenance and amenities to support the community’s recreational needs are being provided. As new housing areas were developed in Waialua, Pu‘uiki Park was acquired to serve as a community-based park for area residents. In Hale‘iwa, the Hale‘iwa Beach Park Mauka (commonly known as the Hale‘iwa Regional Park) provides facilities for both active and passive recreational pursuits. In addition, an integrated system of pedestrian paths and bikeways links the parks, schools, and town centers in Waialua and Hale‘iwa.

Do you agree with the following vision element? "Support Waialua as the North Shore's Industrial Center"   View the 2011 NSSCP description of this vision element below: The Waialua Mill site has been reinforced as the industrial center for the region. In addition to industrial uses that support the agriculture industry, general industrial uses such as boat and car repair, surfboard manufacturing and repair, manufacturing of crafts and island products, and warehousing are thriving. Development of the former Mill and expansion makai of the Mill site has encouraged more commercial activity and enhanced the physical connection between the Mill and Waialua’s town core. 

Do you agree with the following vision element? "Provide Adequate and Appropriately-Sized Public Infrastructure, Facilities, and Services"   View the 2011 NSSCP description of this vision element below: Public agencies and private developers work together to provide adequate infrastructure and needed public facilities and services. Considering the large number of nonresidents that visit the North Shore and partake in the region’s assets, additional resources to upgrade and adequately maintain existing infrastructure systems and public facilities are being provided. Infrastructure does not detract from scenic amenities, recreational opportunities, open space, or other amenities. Adequate, environmentally sensitive wastewater treatment systems that minimally impact groundwater and ocean resources and are consistent with the North Shore’s rural character have replaced outdated and ineffective wastewater systems. The quality of the North Shore’s ground, surface, and nearshore waters is vital for ensuring public health, providing outdoor recreation, sustaining the integrity of ecological systems, and maintaining general environmental quality. In addition to drainage system improvements to mitigate storm runoff and regional flood hazards, adequate infrastructure for drainage systems has been established and is being maintained to ensure continuous runoff and protect the quality of coastal waters. Agricultural uses are implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs), including those recommended in the State Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, to minimize soil erosion. An adequate circulation network that allows for efficient and safe travel supports all modes of transportation. Traffic on Kamehameha Highway between the heart of Hale‘iwa Town and Waimea Bay flows freely since safety and operational deficiencies along the aged highway system were corrected. Kamehameha Highway remains a two-lane highway; no additional through lanes have been constructed, although improvements to reduce traffic impediments (for example, bicycle/pedestrian facilities to encourage the use of alternatives modes of transportation, dedicated storage/stacking turn lanes to minimize bottlenecks affecting emergency vehicle response time, turnouts and facility improvements to reduce the number of cars parked along the highway) have been completed. The provision of secondary/emergency access into and out of the region is also available. The transportation system encourages reduced automobile dependency, and includes an integrated network of bus routes, and pedestrian paths and bikeways that link the various residential communities, parks, schools, and the town centers of Hale‘iwa and Waialua. Other priority needs that have been addressed include retention of the public library in Waialua, maintenance of existing parks in the region, and adequate staffing and resources to ensure quality public safety services and protection from natural hazards. Use of proven renewable energy and energy conservation measures, including the use of solar energy systems and sustainable building technologies, is encouraged. 

Do you agree with the following vision element? "Adapt the Ahupua'a Concept as a Framework for Land Use and Natural Resource Management"   View the 2011 NSSCP description of this vision element below: Traditional Hawaiian life was based on the ahupua‘a system of land management. An ahupua‘a, or land division, was typically wedge-shaped and extended from the top of the mountain into the outer edge of the ocean reef. Defined by the natural geographic formations such as mountain ridges, gulches and streams, ahupua‘a were complete ecological and economic production systems that provided all the resources to sustain the community living within the ahupua‘a. Fish and marine resources were harvested from the ocean, kalo (taro) and ‘uala (sweet potato) were raised in the lowlands, and upland areas provided trees and other forest products. The mokupuni, or island, of O‘ahu is made up of six moku, or districts. There are two moku in the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan area – the entire moku of Waialua and a portion of Ko‘olau Loa. Waialua, the northwestern moku, extends from Ka‘ena Point in the west to Kapaeloa at Waimea in the east. Ko‘olau Loa is the northeastern moku that stretches from Waimea Bay to Ka‘a‘awa. The eighteen ahupua‘a in the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan area include: Ka‘ena, Keālia, Kawaihāpai, Kikahi, Auku‘u, Mokulēi‘a, Kamananui, Pa‘ala‘a, Kawailoa, Lauhulu, Kuikuiloloa, Punanue, Kāpaeloa, Waimea, Pūpūkea, Paumalū, Kaunala and a portion of Waiale‘e. While the communities in the various ahupua‘a may be diverse, they share a common desire to preserve the natural, cultural and historical heritage of the region. The ahupua‘a concept is a holistic approach to land management that recognizes the connections between land-based and marine-based natural resources and the dependent relationships between ecological functions. Resources were managed for the collective good of all living within the ahupua‘a, based on the principle that activities in one part of the ahupua‘a affected all other parts (for example, inappropriate management of forestry and agricultural uses in the upland areas can negatively affect the quality of streams and coastal waters). Adapted to the context of today’s community needs and technology, the ahupua’a concept provides useful principles for guiding the use and management of the North Shore’s resources. The application of these traditional values to current land use activities and environmental regulatory and management practices promotes effective management of the North Shore’s natural resources and deters land-based activities which contribute to their degradation. In keeping with this approach, the planning and implementation of land use decisions and land-based actions considers related effects on coastal waters and the nearshore environment. Moreover, all development and infrastructure improvement decisions recognize that the changes to one segment of the community will have consequences that extend beyond that particular action. Utilizing this approach, a relatively minor project involving a small segment of land or a short stretch of roadway could have significant implications on other parts of the community when the various systems that make up the community are considered as a whole. On a broader scale, there is a need to recognize the connection between the North Shore and its neighboring regions (i.e., Central O‘ahu, Ko‘olau Loa and Wai‘anae), and the many ways that events and activities occurring in one region may affect the others.