December 9, 2013
OCCC has outlived its location
The Star-Advertiser deserves praise in its stand that "OCCC has outlived its location." (Kalihi Prison 11/22/13) Whenever the topic of prisons come up, the "Not In My Backyard" opposition begins, and it is mostly expected. However, OCCC is not simply in the backyard of Kalihi, it is literally located in the middle of the peoples' living room.
Puuhale Elementary and St. Anthony schools are right down the road on either side of OCCC. The prison is surrounded by residential homes, small businesses, and other commercial establishments. In the future, the Middle Street rail transit station with its proximity to the bus facility is planned to be a major multi-modal hub which will bring an influx of travelers to the area. Anticipated zoning from Transit Oriented Development around the Kalihi station will breathe new commercial and residential life into the area: a reinvented community center where people can live, work and play.
This is hardly an appropriate location for a 16 acre prison that is almost a century old, has had multiple escapees, and an inadequate amount of beds and facilities. The inmates do not deserve that, and the people of Kalihi deserve that space to build something of their own. The sale or lease of the land can be used to offset the cost of a new facility, and if zoned appropriately, can be turned into a major center of economic activity generating tax revenue for the State and the City.
The development of land under OCCC will function as a magnet for future development. The Kalihi-Palama Action Plan has proposed facilities such as a marketplace, health and senior services, multi-purpose rooms, office space, and other revenue generating venues that would provide a one-stop shop to residents. While it is true that there will be costs up front, the lease or sale of the land and the economic payoff of future development insures that this will be a wise investment for the State.
When considering a new site, proximity to courthouses and drive time as well as proximity to the transit corridor, among other factors, should be taken into consideration. In fact, the Department of Public Safety's recent Request for Information (RFI) specifies, "The replacement facility(s) for the OCCC must be within a driving distance of no more than 30 minutes from the First Circuit Court in Honolulu. If a proposed replacement is not within 30 minutes of the First Circuit Court, alternative means of delivering programs in a timely manner may be proposed."
Kalihi is one of the oldest communities on Oahu and has produced many prominent businesspeople and leaders, at least three of which were governors (Ariyoshi, Waihee, and Cayetano who by the way supported moving OCCC to a more appropriate location). With its adjacency to downtown and the airport, Kalihi is a vital neighborhood in central Honolulu. It was once zoned as a primarily residential area but after rezoning, has become a place for commercial and industrial operations. It has also been a place with a high concentration of facilities for the homeless, halfway houses, and of course OCCC.
Community groups such as the Kalihi Palama Community Council, past and present elected officials like myself, and others have struggled for decades to move OCCC, but that plea has fallen on deaf ears. The Kalihi neighborhood has borne more than its fair share of hosting correctional facilities. I support the positions of the Star-Advertiser and the Department of Public Safety. It is time for the community at large to find a more appropriate location for OCCC.
I urge my fellow lawmakers to join with the people of Kalihi and join with the administration in its effort to find a suitable place for OCCC. The Kalihi community has waited for decades and can no longer wait. The time for action is long overdue. This time, let's make it happen.
View full article