It’s being reported that the Hawaii Community Development Authority has backed off its plans to widen Queen Street in Honolulu because of delays and increasing costs. The plans would have used the power of eminent domain to take the property of businesses on both sides of the street. More stories posted here and here (video). Update (2/8/2007) – the Star-Bulletin reports that the ID 11 project was killed by a unanimous vote by HDCA.
The widening project was thought by many to be a “done deal,” believing there was no way to stop the taking. But this just shows that even in a jurisdiction with fairly weak protections for owners whose property is targeted for acquisition by the government, there are ways to object and protect your property.