Eviction of Kalaeloa Raceway Park? Support KRP!

Hi all,

I'm new to posting but I regurally scan the forums. I usually like to keep people in Hawaii updated on the status of our efforts to get a track. I'd like to make an announcement if I may.

Kalaeloa Raceway Park (KRP) is saddened to announce that earlier today, we received a 30-day Notice of Eviction from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) "Without Reason" per Linda Chinn.

Everyone on the Kalaeloa Raceway Park Project team is shocked by this letter. No reason or cause was given by DHHL on why we are being evicted nor have there been any indications that we were to be evicted or that our team has done anything to warrant this.

This comes on the heel of our inaugural events which were by all accounts very successful with over 4,000+ spectators in attendance in addition to the widespread acclaim and news coverage. DHHL attended our first SCCA Rally and indicated that no problems were noted during their "due diligence".

As a team, we have strived for the past three years to create a positive, community-driven facility that provides a much needed home for our displaced motorsports enthusiasts. Literally, thousands of volunteer man-hours and money as well as blood, sweat, and tears have gone into this project since the closure of Hawaii Raceway Park. In August, we were given the full go ahead by DHHL to open the park for business and did so with great joy in our hearts. To be evicted now, under two months from our grand opening has left us stunned.

We do not know if this is politically motivated or due to the constant harassment by a very small, minority group of individuals, but the loss of another motorsports facility after the closure of Hawaii Raceway Park is an idea we cannot bear to fathom.

As a team, we intend to fight this eviction notice, and ask that all supporters, enthusiasts, and fans to join with us in support of Kalaeloa Raceway Park. Due to this hostile climate, we have enlisted the services of an attorney and will be taking the steps necessary to protect this volunteer effort as much as possible in an effort to continue this public service for our community.

If you support Kalaeloa Raceway Park, please attend the DHHL Commission Meeting and voice your thoughts on this injustice. The date is yet to be finalized but we will have it announced once we get final clarification. It will be either the 18th or 19th of this month. An official press release will be sent out as soon as we confirm the date.

Their address is:
Hale Kalaniana'ole
91-5420 Kapolei Parkway
Kapolei, HI 96707

In addition, a Letter of Support can be sent or faxed to our attorney, Mr. Gary Shigemura at the following address:

Law Offices of Gary Y. Shigemura
Topa Financial Center
745 Fort St, Ste.700
Honolulu, HI. 96813
Fax # 537-9430

A template maybe found at the official KRP website (www.kalaeloaracewaypark.com) by clicking on the SUPPORT! banner on the homepage.

This is a very dark time for our motorsports community. We will meet this challenge head-on, and are committed to continuing our efforts to provide a place to race as we have every step of the way in this journey. We hope that our supporters will join us in defense of Kalaeloa Raceway Park. In the meantime, all events will continue as planned.

Mahalo,

Michael Kitchens,
Volunteer Track Coordinator
& Public Relations

 

No, we're not on any sacred ground. The entire area was bulldozed in the 60's to be used as a munitions dump and training area.

We're more along the lines of thinking it's a "who you know" sort of deal going on, and that apparently, someone they know has more power than us.

We would appreciate support or a letter. We can't get asphalt laid down unless we have a track still.

 

Of course we're well aware of that, Glassman. We have worked hand-in-hand with the State Historical Preservation Department, the Kapolei Hawaiian Civic Club as well as the DHHL regarding the land. We have treated it with dignity and respect, and have addressed all sensitive cultural issues.

This is not a sacred land issue...and by my description above, the land has already been bulldozed and cleared for use (IN THE 1960s by the US Army) as well as having an archaeological survey completed regarding it. There are no identified sites in our areas of use. We are doing no excavation nor any type of construction that will disturb the topography in a severe way.

We have already dealt with this issue well over a year ago, and are simply moving on with the other phases of the project. As I said, this is not that type of issue. It is a political, departmental issue and one that we are having to deal with in a much different way.

The word so far we've received from our Attorney is that DHHL is rescinding the letter of eviction due to a mis-communication. We are going to suspend events for November until we meet with DHHL per agreement.

As for now, though, we don't have any official papers in hand saying as such, so we're taking the same stance we've held for the majority of today in that we are being evicted. In addition, DHHL has canceled our appearance before Hawaiian Homes Commission, so we won't be able to address them on this issue publically. That's all we've gotten so far...I'll be posting more info as soon as we receive it. We're not sure why this has happened, only that we believe it has a lot to do with public pressure and for our benefit. Apparently, there was quite an uproar and the right people got a call.

We ask that everyone continue to send in letters of support, because this is not as straight-up as it seems, but we're very happy if a bit breathless at the sudden turn of events.

More to come...mahalo so much for your support, everyone. We'll keep moving forward.

 

Thanks for the constructive advice, Darryl!

We've actually got the KMNHB's full support. Before we started construction, we made sure to do a tour of the NHBs as well as the HCDA with our presentation. Maeda Timpson, Chair of the Kapolei/Makakilo Neighborhood Board even attended our Inaugural Sand Drags and untied the lei, so we're good on that route.

The first part is very interesting though...I'll have to mention it. Thanks!

 

We don't have asphalt down yet...just working on getting something going at the moment. The only fees you pay are the Spectator which is $10, or the event participant fee which varies. Still, it's great fun to watch. Our HulaX this Saturday is pretty crazy.

Not something you'd want to run a Ferrari in though..hahah.

 

Thanks for the memories...we're working really hard to get it that way once more. It's just going to take some time and money...