1. Page 1 of 2
O‘ahu and Ko‘olau Loa Community Values Survey
This memo outlines the key findings of the recently completed O‘ahu and Ko’olua Loa
Community Values Survey of 832 O‘ahu residents, including 157 residents from the
Ko‘olau Loa District. Ward Research, located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, completed all data
collection activities.
Individual quality of life and the direction of one’s community are generally thought to be
positive. Residents of the Ko‘olau Loa region are, overall, more positive about their
personal quality of life (mean 7.6 on 10-point scale) than residents of the island overall
(mean 7.1). Additionally, nearly two-thirds (63%) of Ko‘olau Loa district residents
indicate that things in their local community today are heading “right direction” as
compared with 56% of O‘ahu residents.
Across O‘ahu, residents place high priority on addressing three important issues facing
the people who reside in the Ko‘olau Loa region: education, jobs, and price to purchase
a home. Among Ko‘olau Loa residents, these issues are significantly more important
than to the balance of residents of the island. The level of crowding in households and
the increasing number of homes in the area being sold to outsiders are also important
priorities, particularly for the people of the Ko‘olau Loa region.
By a margin of more than 2:1, two-thirds of O‘ahu residents believe that “a moderate
amount of growth in the Ko‘olau Loa district is necessary for the communities in the
region to be vibrant and sustainable.” (O‘ahu 65%; Ko‘olau Loa 67%). Only one-quarter
hold the opposing view that “it is best if there is no growth in the Ko‘olau Loa district
because it is the only way to preserve the rural feeling of the area. If the communities
grow at all, they will lose their small town feel.”
Also by a margin of more than 2:1, two-thirds of O‘ahu residents hold the opinion that the
saying “Keep the Country, Country” means “ ‘no’ to any growth that attracts wealthy new
home buyers into the area or more tourists, but ‘yes’ to growth that improves the quality
of life for families that live here.” (O‘ahu 68%; Ko‘olau Loa 70%) Conversely, only one-in-
four believe that “Keep the Country, Country” means “no growth or development of any
kind.”
Three-quarters (74%) of Ko‘olau Loa residents say they are aware of the Ko‘olau Loa
Sustainable Communities Plan (KSCP). Nearly half (49%) say that they or a family
member have participated in the planning or envisioning process for the region by
attending meetings or speaking out on the issues they care.
A majority of Ko‘olau Loa residents support each of the land use strategies Included in
the KSCP, notably those that preserve natural beauty and positively impact housing and
jobs. [Each of the strategies is supported by at least 60% of respondents]. Additionally,
nearly two-thirds of Ko‘olau Loa residents (63%) support building “new affordable
community housing” in Malaekahana, including 875 new housing units.
Nearly two-thirds of (64%) Ko‘olau Loa residents support the proposed draft of the
KSCP, with more than half of these (37%) saying they “strongly” support it. Three-in-ten
oppose the plan, with opinions divided relatively evenly between those who “strongly”
oppose and those who “somewhat” oppose.

2. O‘ahu
and
Ko’olau
Loa
Community
Values
Survey
February
7,
2011
Heart+Mind
Strategies
Page
2
of
2
Approximately seven-in-ten residents (O‘ahu 69%; Ko‘olau Loa 72%) support building a
replacement hotel in Laie on land already zoned for resort use. Support is particularly
strong in Ko‘olau Loa with 46% “strongly” supporting the hotel, as compared to 23% in
the balance of O‘ahu.
Methodology: Survey results are based upon a mixed-mode (telephone and online)
survey of 832 residents of O‘ahu, including 157 residents from the Ko‘olau Loa district
(defined as Hauula, Kaaawa, Kahana, Kahuku, Kawela Bay, Laie, and Punaluu). All
data are weighted to reflect appropriate regional, age and education distributions. Data
were collected December 8-17, 2010.