Waldorf School High School Expansion Opposed

Due to Negative Impacts on our Community

In a letter "To Our Neighbors", Waldorf School announced its plans to expand its Niu Estates campus to include a new four-year high school. This is a similar plan the school attempted to implement in 1991 and 1996, both ending in failure.

Two Niu Estates residents attended a parent and faculty meeting where the plans were detailed including a campaign to raise at least $12 million for the expansion. The school's Vancouver-based architect reviewed various site plans including an idea to create an entrance from East Halema'uma'u Street. The Niu Estates owners immediately began circulating a petition AGAINST the school's expansion and in less than a week, obtained more than 200 signatures. The Niu Valley Community Association has also taken a position against this expansion.

Neighborhood Board agrees

On June 2, 2005, the Kuli‘ou‘ou / Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board #2 voted 12 to 1 against plans by the Waldorf School to relocate its Kâhala high school with 130 students to its Niu campus based on testimony by the 50 Niu Valley residents who attended that were highly critical of the present traffic, noise, pedestrian safety, parking situation and lack of respect for personal property rights.

At the Board's February 2, 2006 meeting, Waldorf’s completed plans were presented as a requirement of its conditional use permit application. Winsel Elliott was introduced as the new community liaison and asked those with questions, comments or complaints to contact her at 377-5470. Although a Traffic Study had been prepared that would be turned in with the permit, it was not available for the Board nor the residents during the meeting.

The proposal was again overwhelmingly opposed by residents who attended as well as sent in their testimony. Therefore, NB#2 reaffirmed its opposition to Waldorf moving its high school to its Niu Valley campus and required that the Department of Planning and Permitting hold a well publicized public hearing before taking any action on Waldorf's application for a conditional use permit.

Waldorf sues its neighbors

During the first week of November, Waldorf served summons to 21 of its neighbors, and David Minkin, Chair of the zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), seeking to bypass the ZBA by having the Court determine that our residents’ request for a hearing was automatically denied. The lawsuit alleges the ZBA and our residents have delayed their building of a high school and caused Waldorf costs and expenses (including legal fees) for which they want reimbursement. Comments from those being sued include: “Waldorf's suit is absolute harassment and punitive and their arguments are without legal basis” and “We cannot believe that these people who have repeatedly said they wish to be a good neighbor are suing their neighbors who are only using their free-speech rights and legal rights.” Eric Seitz, President of our Association, has agreed to represent all the residents.

Email us
jeannine@hawaii.rr.com

Links

Read the first story in the Advertiser (June 4, 2005)
Waldorf Wants to Grow (Nov. 2, 2006)
Bigger Waldorf Campus Opposed (Dec. 9, 2006)
Limits on Niu Valley School Please Residents (July 1, 2007)