Mayor Blangiardi acknowledges a "plan to work with Kualoa Ranch"
- News
- Apr 13, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 24, 2024
The City's plans to remove the Haʻikū Stairs have assumed a new twist. Evidence suggests there may be a secret backroom deal to transfer the Stairs to Kualoa Ranch. City attorneys and spokesmen have repeatedly denied such a plan exists. Yet, Mayor Blangiardi himself publicly acknowledged it in April 2023.
This video shows the mayor speaking at the Kalani Town Hall meeting on April 13, 2023. He describes a “plan to work with Kualoa Ranch” to move the Stairs there.
In court filings, City attorneys offered shifting explanations for the Mayor’s remarks. They first claimed the Mayor was referring to a different staircase. Then, they argued he was only speculating about a possible “aspiration.” Then, they argued that the City’s contract with Nakoa Company, the demolition contractor puts the issue beyond the City’s control. However, the City has failed to disclose the contract or address possible side-deals cut by City leaders. The City insisted, categorically, in a public court filing that the “Stair modules are not being installed at Kualoa Ranch” on September 5. As recently as November 3, the City continued to characterize any suggestions that the Stairs might end up at Kualoa as “absurd.” Finally, on December 5, the City conceded in court that a Kualoa deal “may” in fact have been agreed on.
City taxpayers will be asked to spend over $4 million to remove the Stairs, wreaking untold environmental harm while burdening residents with two years of helicopter overflights. By the City’s own account, the upside will flow to private companies. Nakoa will receive the proceeds from sale of the Stairs modules—the very same modules that City taxpayers paid Nakoa almost a million dollars to repair back in 2003. And Kualoa Ranch stands to gain a priceless, historic asset for its exclusive commercial use. A unique and world-class hiking experience accessed by the public for generations will be removed from its historic location and converted to a “visitor attraction” reserved for high-spending tourists.
All of this could take place without any scrutiny or public disclosure under Hawaiʻi environmental law. Hawaii residents deserve to know the true facts about the City’s plans for the Stairs. Friends of Haʻikū Stairs are fighting to uphold public transparency and oppose corporate giveaways.
Protect public property. Protect the Stairs. Please donate.
![[San Francisco Gate] The battle to save Hawaii’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’ is far from over](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c66b80_bf49f6a45cbb4862bdee5f8f7b5f0e77~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/c66b80_bf49f6a45cbb4862bdee5f8f7b5f0e77~mv2.png)
![[KITV] "Stairway to Heaven" stairs could stay](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c66b80_e4c595758c6646059b1c3c71b2b058d8~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/c66b80_e4c595758c6646059b1c3c71b2b058d8~mv2.png)
I've found the referral bonuses in the Tashan Win game to be a great way to earn extra money without having to risk more of my own. It's a smart way to incentivize users to invite their friends.
I've been using the Tashan Win login app to play some of the color prediction games, and so far, my experience has been positive. I like that it offers a variety of games to choose from, keeping the experience engaging.
The referral program for Okwin game is a great feature. I've been able to earn some extra rewards just by inviting my friends to join and play with me. It adds a social element to the game.
With OCLP, you can make your Mac new with OpenCore Legacy Patcher by running the latest versions of macOS. It refreshes old hardware with modern features, performance improvements, and security updates.
Honestly, the city's shifting narratives regarding the Haiku Stairs are deeply concerning. The blatant lack of transparency surrounding the contract with Nakoa and the potential deal with Kualoa Ranch raises serious questions about accountability. This whole situation seems like a disservice to residents, especially with the environmental impact and financial burden. It's vital that the Friends of Haiku Stairs continue fighting for disclosure and prevent what looks like Papa's games favoring private interests at the expense of the public good.