Kakaako Neighborhood in Honolulu - Development Plans Underway for Beach Park
Strong community opposition stopped plans to build condos and shops along the Kakaako Waterfront.
Now, four years later, there's another development effort underway for Kakaako Makai.
It's an area known to be popular for bodysurfing and its beautiful scenic views.
"I seen the park change a lot and just my concern is we want the park to be the best place it can be," said Kanekoa Crabbe with the Point Panic Bodysurfing Club.
Saturday, several community members voiced their concerns on making Kakaako Makai a gathering place while preserving Hawaii's culture.
"This park not only needs to serve not only Kakaako but the rest of Honolulu because the other parks are at capacity on the weekends," said Michelle Matson with the Community Planning Advisory Council.
Back in 2006, hundreds of community members rallied against the plan to build two residential units at the park.
The community's concerns were heard and a law was passed prohibiting the sale of state land while preventing residential development.
Now, the Hawaii Community Development Authority has hired several firms to help draft a plan with the community's input.
"We really want to stimulate the conversation at the community level and help them kind of dissect what the situation might be or what the ultimate plan might be," said Geoff Miasnik with MVE Pacific.
Some ideas presented Saturday include building a bike path, a facility for recreational sports and providing more open space at the park.
"To keep it open for all the people of Honolulu and the visitors as a recreational area with facilities that will serve the public," said Matson.
Some immediate changes already in the works at Kakaako are plans to develop a new cancer center at the U-H John A. Burns School of Medicine, improvements to Fisherman's Wharf and maintenance of the park's restrooms.
"We also believe that the agency in charge of this area has learned a lot in this process and has learned a lot in the value of community based planning," said Matson.
Another meeting to hear community input will be held Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the U-H John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Mahalo For Reading.
If you or anyone you know is thinking about buying or selling a condo in Honolulu, Hawaii, it would be my pleasure to help.
Douglas Fischer, R.A., REALTOR, ePro, C.D.P.E.
RE/MAX Honolulu
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Douglas is an experienced and respected Honolulu, Hawaii Realtor Associate, in partnership with his Japanese speaking partner, Christopher Sumida, who specialize in residential Real Estate and the sale of Condos in the greater Honolulu area including the neighborhoods of: Waikiki, Diamond Head, Ala Moana, Kakaako, Kapiolani, Makiki, Chinatown and Downtown Honolulu.
It would seem counterintuitive that any development to succeed and benefit Honolulu maximally would include housing projects. Are condos/affordable housing/mixed housing projects in the plans? Can there be a lottery for those?
Hoping for a beautiful resolution to this great opp for improving Honolulu!
Aloha, Frank Luke
Aloha Frank, All new condo projects in Honolulu, of a certain size or number of units, are now required to include a certain percentage of units that are referred to as "affordable housing". Income limits are stated and first come, first served buyers may qualify and purchase. The newest building under construction in Kaaako, the Pacifica, includes a large number of lower and middle floor units to affordable housing. I think this is good for everyone and also makes for a diverse and healthy neighborhood. Thanks for your comments.