The Robin Masters Estate (Pahonu)

[Sam]

http://www.kitv.com/clip/14248635/demol ... -waimanalo

[Steve]

I feel so empty. I just don't understand how that structure with it's famous architect, spanish colonial style and even the the Cox family owners wasn't on the Historic Register.......Damn you Nesbitt...

[Mad Kudu Buck]

This is tragic. It's the end of an era.

Well that's the end of the "pilgrimages". I had hoped to visit Hawaii one day and that's the main place I would have visited.

[terryfromkerry]

Thanks for posting Sam.

Its devastating news !

[Sam]

Thanks for posting Sam.

Its devastating news !

Hi terryfromkerry.... I imagine in the upcoming days we'll see photos or videos of the rubble being loaded into dump trucks headed for the scrap heap..

[Rembrandt's Girl]

The Historic Hawaii Foundation just put this up on their website about Pahonu, explaining why it could be demolished without review. Bottom line is that in July 2015 historic preservation laws changed. It used to be that a review was required prior to any work/demolition on a residential building older than 50 years, even if it wasn't on the historic register.

Here's a copy/paste of the pertinent parts:

“The historic preservation laws that require review prior to alteration or demolition were changed a few years ago,” said Kiersten Faulkner, executive director. “Although Historic Hawaii Foundation opposed the bills to remove the existing protections, the state legislature chose to exempt non-registered dwelling units from the protective measures provided to other property types.”

HB 830 was enacted as Act 224 on July 9, 2015. That measure amended state law to exclude privately-owned, single-family detached dwelling units and townhouses from historic preservation review (HRS 6E-42.2) unless they are listed on the state or national registers; nominated for the register; or located in a historic district.

Prior to the change, state law (HRS 6E-42) required that a county or state agency shall submit any project affecting a privately-owned property over 50-years old that is not listed on the state register of historic places for review and comment by the State Historic Preservation Division. SHPD would review the property to determine if it has historic significance, and review the project to see if it would affect the historic features or integrity. SHPD would then advise the agency of specific conditions for preservation or mitigation that should be part of any approval.

“As a result of the statutory change, there has been no historic preservation review for any permits of any magnitude for any privately-owned dwelling of any historic significance, regardless of how important or how impactful the project would be on part of Hawaii’s heritage,” Faulkner said.

“The only safeguard is to have owners who understand and care enough about Hawaii’s heritage to make efforts to preserve and protect it. That was insufficient in this case,” Faulkner said.

As Steve said, "Damn you Nesbitt"...

[KENJI]

I find it interesting that Nesbitt/Obama purchased Pahonu around the end of March 2015 and by July 09, 2015 the rules changed in their favor....hmmmm, perfect timing or??? What a shame this was passed the way it did....no protection whatsoever for the poor old girl!

[J.J. Walters]

The Historic Hawaii Foundation just put this up on their website about Pahonu, explaining why it could be demolished without review. Bottom line is that in July 2015 historic preservation laws changed. It used to be that a review was required prior to any work/demolition on a residential building older than 50 years, even if it wasn't on the historic register.

Here's a copy/paste of the pertinent parts:

“The historic preservation laws that require review prior to alteration or demolition were changed a few years ago,” said Kiersten Faulkner, executive director. “Although Historic Hawaii Foundation opposed the bills to remove the existing protections, the state legislature chose to exempt non-registered dwelling units from the protective measures provided to other property types.”

HB 830 was enacted as Act 224 on July 9, 2015. That measure amended state law to exclude privately-owned, single-family detached dwelling units and townhouses from historic preservation review (HRS 6E-42.2) unless they are listed on the state or national registers; nominated for the register; or located in a historic district.

Prior to the change, state law (HRS 6E-42) required that a county or state agency shall submit any project affecting a privately-owned property over 50-years old that is not listed on the state register of historic places for review and comment by the State Historic Preservation Division. SHPD would review the property to determine if it has historic significance, and review the project to see if it would affect the historic features or integrity. SHPD would then advise the agency of specific conditions for preservation or mitigation that should be part of any approval.

“As a result of the statutory change, there has been no historic preservation review for any permits of any magnitude for any privately-owned dwelling of any historic significance, regardless of how important or how impactful the project would be on part of Hawaii’s heritage,” Faulkner said.

“The only safeguard is to have owners who understand and care enough about Hawaii’s heritage to make efforts to preserve and protect it. That was insufficient in this case,” Faulkner said.]

"the state legislature chose to exempt non-registered dwelling units from the protective measures provided to other property types....

....HB 830 was enacted as Act 224 on July 9, 2015. That measure amended state law to exclude privately-owned, single-family detached dwelling units and townhouses from historic preservation review (HRS 6E-42.2) unless they are listed on the state or national registers; nominated for the register; or located in a historic district."

OMG! I'm so fuming mad right now!! Pahonu is being torn down because of more bureaucratic bullshit from a state legislature!! How about COMMON SENSE? How about DOING WHAT IS RIGHT BASED ON THE CIRCUMSTANCE? How about just doing the actual review, you know, doing some actual work?? Instead, they pass some law that says, you know what, we don't care "how important or how impactful the project would be on part of Hawaii’s heritage. We just don't want to take the time to review it. We need to take our 2-hour lunch and leave at 3."

[Rembrandt's Girl]

Right, JJ... plus you know there was some lobbying going on... $$$$$

“The Legislature followed the lead of the Building Industry Association, which argued that the review was stifling development and was too burdensome for contractors and homeowners."

[J.J. Walters]

Quite right there, RG!

I kind of got my thoughts mixed up there in what I said. It more has to do with why would the state legislature limit the review capabilities of the "historic preservation review"? I'm mean seriously, how many "reviews" do they have on any given day, or any given week or month for that matter? It can't be that much on such a relatively small land mass. Is it too much to ask them to review every case that comes before them? But you are so right... it all comes down to special interests and who's pocket is deeper! And now I'm mad all over again!!

[Rembrandt's Girl]

I'm mean seriously, how many "reviews" do they have on any given day, or any given week or month for that matter? It can't be that much on such a relatively small land mass. Is it too much to ask them to review every case that comes before them?

Well actually JJ, we do have to take into account that it IS Hawaii


youtu.be/Qqds8kM1xYo

[JungleBird]

I can't believe it.. what the hell!!?

Now I'm really f...ing mad!!!
I guess it wouldn't be perfectly legal so I'm not going to say what I think of you Mr Nesbitt.. let's say I don't really like you...!

Given the description from the historic foundation, the new owner's decision is just outrageous. But well, it's all about the $$...

Wtf. Tropical madness!

[J.J. Walters]

Yeah! You, Mr. Nesbitt, are destroying a beautiful piece of property, with a complete disregard of the history of the place! Shame on you!! Just squeeze every ounce of dollar you can out of the place and who cares about what it meant to millions of people! It's OUT-RAGOUS!!


youtu.be/UzdDAd9EBOI

[Rembrandt's Girl]

KHON finally has a story... I have to laugh because all they show is the gate house and the gate. Can't the tv stations that are actually there do any better with pics & video? Sheesh.

http://www.khon2.com/news/local-news/wa ... 1102377414

[Steve]

I find it interesting that Nesbitt/Obama purchased Pahonu around the end of March 2015 and by July 09, 2015 the rules changed in their favor....hmmmm, perfect timing or??? What a shame this was passed the way it did....no protection whatsoever for the poor old girl!

There is a book that just came out about the shady deals that Nesbitt's investment group, The Vistria Group engaged in. The Obama Administration would pass restrictions on industries such as for profit colleges causing their stocks to plummet, The Vistria Group would come in and scoop up the almost worthless stock, Obama would relax the restrictions and the group would turn around and sell at a huge profit. Smells to high heaven doesn't it.
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