Good opening sentence, and a good description of the process. Kudos to the reporter. To be sure, this is a top down process, starting with legislators funding planners via an abstract request for proposal to plan something, such as the transition out of OCCC or the upgrade of the canal. Indeed, those selected then look at what can be, draw up the possibilities accordingly, and then parachute into the neighborhood with their ideas or 'plans' and see if the 'hood' buys into them. Clearly, this reporter had fun watching them while they looked for people from the hood to engage and get 'feedback' - so it doesn't help that this wasn't well attended. This 'hood' is a working hood, so the planners didn't meet and greet those with discretionary time on their hands, as in Waikiki or Waialae Kahala, only a few who didn't have to rush to a second job on this particular night. What's the answer? Talk to old-timers, to Romy who has been there for decades, or those with that stature. Then go plan.