The importance of planning to Waikiki : A history and analysis

• Main Author: Stephenson, Ross Wayland
• Language: en-US
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10125/20924

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2008. === At Waikiki, population growth doomed continued agricultural land use and private pro-growth interests wished to develop. Government, faced with the challenge of this lowland environment, created comprehensive plans that included the strategic use of a canal for drainage, complementary open space, public-private partnerships for infrastructure development, and walk able neighborhoods. Such plans were central to protecting Waikiki's assets while sustaining further growth. === Comprehensive planning is necessary to preserve a unique sense of place while urban districts undergo rapid increases in both population density and physical growth. Public participation in this planning process is vital to both the financing and completion of such long term plans. === The evolution of municipal planning in the United States was paralleled in Waikiki as judicial interpretations of public interest and private property changed during the study period. Planning focus and methodology also was predicated upon the context of the times. === Useful tools in promoting planning effectiveness were identified. These included the importance of early planning and land acquisition; periodic public re-envisioning to promote public ownership of plans and thus support; continued use of public-private partnerships to lessen costs to the community budget; and promotion of proactive public entrepreneurship to identify opportunities and challenges. Increasing density of development also illustrated the impact of access to land use, and the need to facilitate the consolidation of small lots. === Waikiki was employed as a case study because of its evolution from an agricultural district, to single family residential subdivision, then mixed business and residential area, and finally as a (mostly high-rise) international resort. Information was gathered from the Bishop Museum, City and County of Honolulu, Kawaiaha'o Church, Hawai'i State Archives, Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, University of Hawai'i, and other sources. Time lines were created for area reclamation; road, water, and sewer development; land use; and open space. === Includes bibliographical references (leaves 594-613). === Also available by subscription via World Wide Web === 613 leaves, bound 29 cm