The state agency overseeing development in Kaka'ako and Kalaeloa has launched a Web portal for the public to review and comment on agency initiatives requiring public input, including the future use of state land makai of Ala Moana next to Kewalo Harbor known as Kaka'ako Makai.

The portal is an effort by the Hawai'i Community Development Authority to better involve the public in the community planning process.

To start, HCDA is accepting comments on Kaka'ako Makai planning, but plans to expand the coverage.

The portal is at www.hcda-public-consultation.org.

SBA HONORING 2 FIRMS FOR EXCELLENCE

The Small Business Administration will honor two local small businesses for their work in the federal government contracting arena.

The firms, Makai Ocean Engineering Inc. and Referentia Systems, will be recognized Friday at the 23rd Annual SBA Small Business Awards Luncheon. The two were nominated for their "outstanding performance, innovative solutions, professionalism, cost effectiveness and on-time delivery by the federal agencies that contracted their services."

Makai Ocean Engineering was named the Prime Contractor of the Year for the SBA's Western region. It was founded in Waimānalo in 1973 as a diversified ocean engineering firm serving Hawai'i and the Pacific.

The Administrator's Award of Excellence will be presented to Referentia Systems Inc. The company has worked with Lockheed Martin in the Department of Defense Mentor Prot g Program for the past two years. Founded in 1996, Referentia has offices in Hawai'i, California and Virginia.

MAUI DEVELOPER FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

Waiehu Aina LLC, a company that purchased more than 250 acres of undeveloped Maui land with the intention of selling farm lots, has filed for bankruptcy.

The Wailuku-based company managed by David and Donalee Singer petitioned for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy this week to stave off a foreclosure auction, said Joseph Toma, Waiehu Aina's bankruptcy attorney.

The filing listed $4 million in assets and $1.6 million in liabilities. But Toma said the filing will be updated with amounts owed unsecured creditors once the list is compiled.

Waiehu Aina felt a foreclosure auction might have produced a sale at a depreciated price. There is a chance the mortgage and unsecured creditors could be fully paid off through the bankruptcy proceedings, he said.