HONOLULU | Projects Thread [Archive] - Page 3

Urbanguy

Jun 20, 2008, 6:53 PM

^Oh yeah, it's going to spur massive redevelopment along the route once this thing gets going although the rise in construction costs might deter or delay it for a while. :( I just hope that everything goes as planned because there's so much potential for this city.

I'm not a fan of malls/lifestyle centers but this is going to be a huge project.

Deal finalized for West Oahu center
Ka Makana Ali'i is to be larger than Pearlridge and will include a hotel

Source: Honolulu Advertiser (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080620/NEWS25/806200370/1318/LOCALNEWSFRONT)

The shopping center in East Kapolei is expected to open in late 2009 on 67 acres near the planned University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu campus and will have 1.6 million square feet of commercial space.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/2669/kamakanaaliikapoleisb5.jpg
*It will be the 2nd largest shopping center in the metro area.

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser West O'ahu Writer

A final lease agreement has been signed that will bring O'ahu's largest shopping center west of Pearlridge between 'Ewa and Kapolei.

The agreement was announced yesterday by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Tampa, Fla.-based Hawai'i DeBartolo LLC.

At the key intersection of Kapolei Parkway and the upcoming North-South Road, the center, dubbed Ka Makana Ali'i, will have 1.6 million square feet of commercial space.

Size-wise, that's between the newly enlarged Ala Moana Center at 2.1 million acres and Pearlridge Center at 1.4 million acres.

Additionally, the agreement allows DeBartolo to put up to 300 hotel rooms in two towers and a third high-rise that will be an office building with up to 100,000 square feet of space.

The lease agreement is for 65 years, with DeBartolo expected to shell out $142 million over the first 25 years, starting with $4.7 million annually in lease rent the first 10 years and going as high as $7 million annually from the 21st to 25th years. The lease to be paid after that will be determined later.

DeBartolo estimates the project will help bring 4,000 jobs to West O'ahu. It is on Kapolei Parkway and the upcoming North-South Road and will have almost a straight shot with the H-1 Freeway-North-South Road interchange scheduled to open in 2010.

Kane said the additional jobs in the area will mean fewer cars on the road, providing traffic relief for long-suffering 'Ewa and Kapolei residents.

DeBartolo said it will invest more than $400 million on the site over the first 25 years.

pdxman

Jun 30, 2008, 6:42 AM

Hey urbanguy, sorry it took ME so long to respond this time. I will most likely be going to UH at Manoa possibly by next spring but most likely the following fall. I'd be over there now if I could! I'll be living in Honolulu in the kahala area, so not far from Manoa.

Thanks for all the posts as well! Its good to keep up on all the goings-on in hawaii :)

Jai

Jun 30, 2008, 7:19 AM

Urbanguy

Jun 30, 2008, 7:44 PM

^Wahiawa as well. ;)

Honolulu skyline expands with taller buildings

Proposed Makiki project is 70 feet above area allowance

Okay, I have to admit that the title is a little misleading because the height's that are being allowed in certain parts of the city aren't all that high but the good news is that the city council knows that its the smart thing to do especially because of the high construction costs and finite land available. So who know's we may see the city finally exceed the 500 ft. level in the near future as the demand for affordable housing continues to grow. :D

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/7963/makiki1cy9.jpg

Source: Honolulu Advertiser (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/NEWS01/806300352&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL)

A proposed Makiki residential high-rise would exceed the height limit in the neighborhood by 70 feet, the latest of several projects to seek height exemptions in what experts say could be a trend as condominium developers counter rising construction costs by building higher.

The developers of Holomua, planned for 1315 Kalakaua Ave., say the high-rise project wouldn't make economic sense at 150 feet — the height limit for the neighborhood — so they are proposing to build to 220 feet and offer 51 percent of the for-sale units at affordable prices.

"It all boils down to economies of scale," said Serge Krivatsy of THM Partners, developer of the project. "The cost of land, especially in urban Honolulu, means the more units you can get on a parcel, the more you can reduce the selling price."

Though Holomua won't be the only high-rise towering over the area — the nearby Banyan Tree Plaza on Punahou Street soars to 350 feet and another nearby project hits 220 feet — dozens of Makiki residents oppose the 176-unit project, saying its height exemption translates into more people, more cars and more problems.

"The density factor would greatly increase," said Francis Soon, board president of One Kalakaua, a nearby condominium for seniors.

Height Fights

The tension isn't unique to Makiki. Communities around the island are grappling with height limits as developers and planners try to find a balance between keeping housing development on pace with the growth of the population and preserving the feel, view planes and skylines of neighborhoods.

In recent years, residents have come out against height exemptions or zoning changes for high- and mid-rise projects in Waipahu, Wai'anae, Nanakuli and Hawai'i Kai. All of those exemptions or zoning changes were approved, including a 10-story luxury condo in Hawai'i Kai and the twin 105-foot Plantation Town Apartments in Waipahu.

Experts expect more high-rises to push the height limits in the coming years.

"The cost of construction has gone up 50 percent in the last year alone with fuel charges and just getting material over here, and the cost of land has almost doubled in the last three years," said Stephany Sofos, a real estate analyst. "What the developers are doing is they want more density. The way to get more density is go higher."

Allen Leong, of KC Rainbow Development, which built the Moana Pacific towers in Kaka'ako, added that more people are looking for deals in the housing market. And some high-rise developments just don't pencil out at set height limits.

"I think the whole issue is the market and what the market is willing to pay," he said. "Lately, we have seen a trend of developers trying to lower their square foot costs. I believe they're reacting to market demand."

And especially for affordable projects, building higher has become one way developers are able to make a return.

Reasonable Concerns

Of the eight development projects since 2006 filed under a state law that allows certain exemptions in exchange for affordability, four projects have gone over the height limits in their areas. The projects include the Plantation Town Apartments in Waipahu; Hale Wai Vista in Wai'anae, which exceeded the height limit by 20 feet to go to 60 feet; and Mokuloa Vista in Waipahu, which went to 73 feet, exceeding the limit by 25 feet.

Holomua is also applying under the state law, and plans to keep 51 percent of its units affordable for a decade. Residents at One Kalakaua, a 138-foot high-rise, and others who live nearby say they see the need for affordable housing, but question why the project should be granted an exemption and then not be required to retain affordability for more than 10 years.

"After 10 years, it doesn't have to be affordable anymore," said Dee Robinson, administrator for One Kalakaua, across the street from Holomua.

More than 40 people have written letters against the project, and 30 more turned out to oppose the project at a Makiki/Lower Punchbowl/Tantalus Neighborhood Board meeting this month. The board has not yet taken a position on the project, but board chairman John Steelquist said he understands where both sides are coming from.

"The neighbors are understandably concerned," Steelquist said last week.

Developers hope to start construction on Holomua in December and open its doors in June 2010.

Opposition to the project comes as planners and policymakers have expressed support for building higher.

In January, the City Council approved an urban plan for Kapolei that would allow developers to build to 150 feet on 13 city blocks in downtown Kapolei, and to 120 feet on an additional 10 blocks. Previously, only six blocks in the area were allowed to go as high as 150 feet. Though no residential high-rises are under way in the area, several office and retail high-rises are. And developers say it won't be long until condos move in.

Council Supportive

The City Council, which must approve height exemptions, has largely supported projects going over height limits — within reason. Last year, the council passed a resolution urging the city Planning Department to recommend the "maximum appropriate height limit for all future zone changes" in Honolulu and Kapolei.

City Councilman Charles Djou, whose district stretches from Waikiki to Hawai'i Kai, introduced the resolution in hopes of preventing another urban problem — sprawl.

"We have a very clear finite amount of land," he said. "People don't want to see paradise paved over. So what my resolution seeks to do is encourage the department to look at allowing buildings to go even higher."

He said taller high-rises are more efficient, more environmentally sustainable and, if built correctly, can be aesthetically pleasing for neighborhoods.

And he pointed out that compared to other cities, Honolulu has very low height limits.

Height limits in urban Honolulu vary widely, from 400 feet in Kaka'ako to 150 feet in areas such as Makiki to 45 feet in the Sheridan Street area, where there are mostly residential homes and low-rises. Over the past few years, Honolulu residents have seen a flurry of residential high-rises going up. Hokua at 1288 Ala Moana, the Ko'olani, the Moana Pacific towers and Keola La'i are all about 400 feet — right to the limit — in Kaka'ako.

The growth has angered some residents.

Partly because of that community opposition, the Hawai'i Community Development Authority is proposing in its new Kaka'ako mauka plan to lower height limits from 400 to 200 feet along a section of Ala Moana boulevard.

The plan comes as HCDA is also reviewing the 20-year Ward Neighborhood master plan, which proposes constructing as many as nine residential high-rises — including five on Ala Moana opposite Kewalo harbor. Some of the condos are proposed to hit 400 feet.

Anthony Ching, HCDA director, said he can understand why residents don't want to see more tall buildings going up and he added skylines shouldn't be uniform, but show off a variety of heights. But he said space is a premium, and building higher sometimes makes sense.

"It's all a balancing act," he said. "We need housing. We need neighborhoods to be developed. At the same time, you don't want it to be too congested."

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/assets/jpg/M1111806629.JPG

Jai

Jul 7, 2008, 2:49 AM

^Wahiawa as well. ;)
That's a good kind of run down. Gives the tourists a bit more excitement on the trip to the north shore ;)

bunt_q

Aug 16, 2008, 4:46 AM

You guys want to do one final update for me? I leave here Tuesday to move there. I imagine I'll print out this whole thread and do a full blown block by block walking/photo tour of the whole city. Get myself good and oriented, get to know every project, and make the best of my unemployment :)

bunt_q

Aug 31, 2008, 8:26 PM

^Wahiawa as well. ;)

Honolulu skyline expands with taller buildings

Proposed Makiki project is 70 feet above area allowance

Source: Honolulu Advertiser (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/NEWS01/806300352&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL)

A proposed Makiki residential high-rise would exceed the height limit in the neighborhood by 70 feet, the latest of several projects to seek height exemptions in what experts say could be a trend as condominium developers counter rising construction costs by building higher.

The developers of Holomua, planned for 1315 Kalakaua Ave., say the high-rise project wouldn't make economic sense at 150 feet — the height limit for the neighborhood — so they are proposing to build to 220 feet and offer 51 percent of the for-sale units at affordable prices.

"It all boils down to economies of scale," said Serge Krivatsy of THM Partners, developer of the project. "The cost of land, especially in urban Honolulu, means the more units you can get on a parcel, the more you can reduce the selling price."

Though Holomua won't be the only high-rise towering over the area — the nearby Banyan Tree Plaza on Punahou Street soars to 350 feet and another nearby project hits 220 feet — dozens of Makiki residents oppose the 176-unit project, saying its height exemption translates into more people, more cars and more problems.

"The density factor would greatly increase," said Francis Soon, board president of One Kalakaua, a nearby condominium for seniors.

Height Fights

The tension isn't unique to Makiki. Communities around the island are grappling with height limits as developers and planners try to find a balance between keeping housing development on pace with the growth of the population and preserving the feel, view planes and skylines of neighborhoods.

In recent years, residents have come out against height exemptions or zoning changes for high- and mid-rise projects in Waipahu, Wai'anae, Nanakuli and Hawai'i Kai. All of those exemptions or zoning changes were approved, including a 10-story luxury condo in Hawai'i Kai and the twin 105-foot Plantation Town Apartments in Waipahu.

Experts expect more high-rises to push the height limits in the coming years.

"The cost of construction has gone up 50 percent in the last year alone with fuel charges and just getting material over here, and the cost of land has almost doubled in the last three years," said Stephany Sofos, a real estate analyst. "What the developers are doing is they want more density. The way to get more density is go higher."

Allen Leong, of KC Rainbow Development, which built the Moana Pacific towers in Kaka'ako, added that more people are looking for deals in the housing market. And some high-rise developments just don't pencil out at set height limits.

"I think the whole issue is the market and what the market is willing to pay," he said. "Lately, we have seen a trend of developers trying to lower their square foot costs. I believe they're reacting to market demand."

And especially for affordable projects, building higher has become one way developers are able to make a return.

Reasonable Concerns

Of the eight development projects since 2006 filed under a state law that allows certain exemptions in exchange for affordability, four projects have gone over the height limits in their areas. The projects include the Plantation Town Apartments in Waipahu; Hale Wai Vista in Wai'anae, which exceeded the height limit by 20 feet to go to 60 feet; and Mokuloa Vista in Waipahu, which went to 73 feet, exceeding the limit by 25 feet.

Holomua is also applying under the state law, and plans to keep 51 percent of its units affordable for a decade. Residents at One Kalakaua, a 138-foot high-rise, and others who live nearby say they see the need for affordable housing, but question why the project should be granted an exemption and then not be required to retain affordability for more than 10 years.

"After 10 years, it doesn't have to be affordable anymore," said Dee Robinson, administrator for One Kalakaua, across the street from Holomua.

More than 40 people have written letters against the project, and 30 more turned out to oppose the project at a Makiki/Lower Punchbowl/Tantalus Neighborhood Board meeting this month. The board has not yet taken a position on the project, but board chairman John Steelquist said he understands where both sides are coming from.

"The neighbors are understandably concerned," Steelquist said last week.

Developers hope to start construction on Holomua in December and open its doors in June 2010.

Opposition to the project comes as planners and policymakers have expressed support for building higher.

In January, the City Council approved an urban plan for Kapolei that would allow developers to build to 150 feet on 13 city blocks in downtown Kapolei, and to 120 feet on an additional 10 blocks. Previously, only six blocks in the area were allowed to go as high as 150 feet. Though no residential high-rises are under way in the area, several office and retail high-rises are. And developers say it won't be long until condos move in.

Council Supportive

The City Council, which must approve height exemptions, has largely supported projects going over height limits — within reason. Last year, the council passed a resolution urging the city Planning Department to recommend the "maximum appropriate height limit for all future zone changes" in Honolulu and Kapolei.

City Councilman Charles Djou, whose district stretches from Waikiki to Hawai'i Kai, introduced the resolution in hopes of preventing another urban problem — sprawl.

"We have a very clear finite amount of land," he said. "People don't want to see paradise paved over. So what my resolution seeks to do is encourage the department to look at allowing buildings to go even higher."

He said taller high-rises are more efficient, more environmentally sustainable and, if built correctly, can be aesthetically pleasing for neighborhoods.

And he pointed out that compared to other cities, Honolulu has very low height limits.

Height limits in urban Honolulu vary widely, from 400 feet in Kaka'ako to 150 feet in areas such as Makiki to 45 feet in the Sheridan Street area, where there are mostly residential homes and low-rises. Over the past few years, Honolulu residents have seen a flurry of residential high-rises going up. Hokua at 1288 Ala Moana, the Ko'olani, the Moana Pacific towers and Keola La'i are all about 400 feet — right to the limit — in Kaka'ako.

The growth has angered some residents.

Partly because of that community opposition, the Hawai'i Community Development Authority is proposing in its new Kaka'ako mauka plan to lower height limits from 400 to 200 feet along a section of Ala Moana boulevard.

The plan comes as HCDA is also reviewing the 20-year Ward Neighborhood master plan, which proposes constructing as many as nine residential high-rises — including five on Ala Moana opposite Kewalo harbor. Some of the condos are proposed to hit 400 feet.

Anthony Ching, HCDA director, said he can understand why residents don't want to see more tall buildings going up and he added skylines shouldn't be uniform, but show off a variety of heights. But he said space is a premium, and building higher sometimes makes sense.

"It's all a balancing act," he said. "We need housing. We need neighborhoods to be developed. At the same time, you don't want it to be too congested."

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/assets/jpg/M1111806629.JPG

Okay, so I walked by this site yesterday, and I just don't see what the problem is. This building isn't all that tall, and the stuff around it is already pretty dense (and the stuff that isn't tall isn't all that nice). I'm pretty confident this project will get the green light, especially with the affordable concessions.

Urbanguy

Sep 3, 2008, 4:59 PM

^it's one ugly building.

BTW where did you move from?

Here are some updates:

Keehi Lagoon future could include adding an industrial island

Plans could include big man-made island with an industrial park

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

Picture a man-made, triangle-shaped island more than double the size of Ala Moana Beach Park in the middle of Ke'ehi Lagoon. Throw in 600 to 1,000 new boat slips along Lagoon Drive, dozens of moorings for larger, multimillion-dollar yachts and a light industrial park as the island's showcase development.

Sound far-fetched?

That's one of several ideas Gov. Linda Lingle's administration is looking into as part of its long-term redevelopment of the Ke'ehi Lagoon and Sand Island area.

Officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the Department of Transportation said they recently formed an informal group to study development potential of the Ke'ehi area.

While state officials stress that they have no firm development plans, the study could set the stage for the selection of a private developer to finance and build the large-scale undertaking.

Proponents say the development is long overdue, given the rundown state of the harbor facilities and festering crime problems in the area.

But critics say the redevelopment could displace local boating residents, alter an ocean ecosystem that houses O'ahu's only remaining traditional fishing village and disrupt a popular venue for paddlers.

Mike Formby, director of the DOT's harbors division, said the group's studies are in early stages of collecting data. He said the study group is looking at a number of past development plans, including a late 1980s effort to build a ocean recreation complex within the Ke'ehi and Sand Island area.

That proposal, which was spearheaded by Gov. John Waihee, was part of a failed effort to attract the America's Cup yacht race to Hawai'i in 1991. A 450-page environmental impact statement conducted in 1990 called for a massive dredging of the lagoon and the use of nearly 3.8 million cubic yards of landfill to create a 250-acre island.

"It's something we considered in the past," Formby said. "Now the working group will revisit the ideas."

Here's an aerial view of what it looks like today.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1537/keehilagoonuy6.jpg

Here's the proposal.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/assets/gif/M111693692.GIF

Kyo-ya plan to reshape heart of Waikiki

Source: Pacific Business News

Kyo-ya plans to demolish the eight-story, 140-room beachfront tower Diamond Head of the Moana Surfrider Hotel and replace it with a new 23-story, 200-room hotel that would open a narrow corridor providing ocean views from Kalakaua Avenue, according to plans created by WCIT Architecture, which also designed the renovations currently being done at Kyo-ya’s Sheraton Waikiki and The Royal Hawaiian hotels.

The new hotel would be physically separate from the Moana, which recently came under the Westin flag, and its top five floors would contain 25 residential condominiums.

http://cll.bizjournals.com/story_image/203470-0-0-1.jpg

Jai

Sep 3, 2008, 9:10 PM

Keehi Lagoon future could include adding an industrial island

Plans could include big man-made island with an industrial park

Source: Honolulu Advertiser
It's probably necessary, but would be a pity. Lagoon Dr. is an awesome place to run, and plus there are some great views toward downtown:
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2585/01gr4.jpg

edit- plus, what will happen to all the seaplanes?

bunt_q

Sep 7, 2008, 9:08 AM

Oh thanks for the aerial, I was wondering what the middle of the lagoon looked like today. I moved from Denver... got my bus pass, and I've spent the last couple weeks wandering around checking out the city (ah, the joys of being an unemployed planner geek :))

MasonsInquiries

Sep 23, 2008, 11:46 PM

It's probably necessary, but would be a pity. Lagoon Dr. is an awesome place to run, and plus there are some great views toward downtown:
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2585/01gr4.jpg

edit- plus, what will happen to all the seaplanes?aww man!! this view is AWESOME!!:notacrook:

Urbanguy

Oct 13, 2008, 5:25 PM

I wonder how the possible changes to the lagoon may affect the people that live on the little islets in the lagoon? One of my dad's good friend's and family lives out on one of those little islands.

bunt_q, how's life going for you so far? BTW, don't miss Halloween in Waikiki--it's a blast and goes all night long to the break of dawn.

Plan to cool downtown by sea water advances

Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin (http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081013_Plan_to_cool_downtown_by_sea_water_advances.html)

With an eye toward laying a pipe to deep water offshore, Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning has contracted with Fugro Seafloor Surveys for detailed data using this autonomous underwater vehicle, shown off Honolulu with Koko Head in the distance.
http://media.starbulletin.com/images/20081013_A6-AUV.jpg

Plans are moving forward on a project that intends to help the state take a huge step forward in its ambitious goal of energy independence.

Under the renewable energy project being developed by Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, dozens of downtown buildings would be cooled by chilled deep-ocean water pumped to the surface and circulated throughout their cooling systems.

Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, which has secured a commitment of $10.75 million in investments from about two dozen Hawaii companies, plans to break ground in June, and filed the draft environmental impact statement for the project last week.

"That is a huge milestone," said William Mahlum, the company's president and chief executive officer.

The draft EIS means processing now can begin on the project's various permits to move the plans forward.

State officials are keeping a close eye on how the project proceeds.

The deep sea water cooling system is one of the "top projects" being watched by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which is charged with implementing the state's energy strategy.

"I am truly looking forward to them proving this concept in Honolulu," said Ted Liu, director of the department. "There are several other dense, urban areas that I think are extraordinarily appropriate for us to roll out this technology.

"In particular, I'm thinking Waikiki."

The concept is nothing new.

Chilled deep water has been used for two decades to cool buildings at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii at Keahole Point on the Big Island. Other systems have been in place for years at other areas - including Cornell University, Toronto and Scandinavia - where the location provides a deep-water source.

The Honolulu project - estimated at about $152 million - is perhaps one of the most ambitious.

Local investors include Makai Ocean Engineering, Yogi Kwong Engineers LLC, Ace Land Surveying, Lyon Associates Inc., InSynergy Engineering Inc. and The Environmental Co. Inc., among others, according to Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning. An additional $100 million is coming from tax-exempt bonds authorized by the state Legislature, and $22 million is taxable debt, with the balance to be covered by construction equity.

The system would draw water from the ocean floor four miles off the Kakaako coast at a depth of 1,600 feet, where water temperature is 45 degrees year-round.

That water would be sucked up to a 25,000-square-foot pumping station, to be located near the Gold Bond Building in Kakaako, where it then would be distributed to the air-conditioning systems of public and private buildings in an area roughly bounded by Nuuanu Avenue, Vineyard Boulevard and Ward Avenue along the Kakaako shoreline.

Water is then pumped back out to sea to a warmer, shallower depth.

About 40 clients have stated an interest in converting to the sea water cooling system, officials say. Service would begin in November 2010.

The company estimates that converting to the renewable energy system could cut electrical use by as much as 75 percent.

"It's a very attractive thing to convert your building," Mahlum said. "Under our current presentation to customers, all customers save money the first year. They leave the electricity-intensive project, and they join our system and they save money."

The amount saved depends on the size and type of structure and its existing efficiency standards, he said.

Mahlum said the Public Utilities Commission recently approved a request by Hawaiian Electric Co. to provide a rebate of $300 per ton to help customers convert buildings to accommodate the system. For example, a 1,000-ton building would receive $300,000 to make renovations and improvements to handle the sea water system.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona recently toured one such sea water air cooling station, during a break from activities at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., last month. Aiona toured the Ever-Green Energy cooling station that provides service to utility company District Energy St. Paul. Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning is an affiliate of District Energy.

"It's an impressive use of technology, very efficient, so I'm excited," Aiona said after touring the plant. "To think that it will be online, hopefully within a couple years, is even more exciting."

[]<< Updates to some of the city's projects >>[/b]

High rises, low sales

It's not good news obviously but it's to be expected in this economic downturn.

Source: Honolulu Advertiser (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081012/BUSINESS/810120310/-1/BACKISSUES)

Some highlights

Two years ago, a planned residential tower makai of McKinley High School was virtually sold out after experiencing a rush of demand that included a lottery where buyers far outnumbered available units. But today, with tower construction nearing the halfway point, fewer than half the units still have committed buyers.

The market turmoil, which over the last few weeks has become uglier and uglier, is icing sales at nearly a half-dozen major Honolulu condo projects — planned, under construction or complete — with significant inventories to sell.

One high-rise planned in Kaka'ako between Pi'ikoi and Kamake'e streets has been put on hold, and analysts say it has become more difficult for any new plans to get out of the ground.

Moana Vista, a planned 492-unit condo at 1009 Kapi'olani Blvd. makai of McKinley, appeared it would be among the batch of Honolulu's home-run high-rise projects. Two years ago, 466 prospective buyers entered a lottery to buy 192 units reserved at Moana Vista for owner-occupants. Strong investor interest resulted in the balance of units being nearly sold out, save 126 units being kept as rentals under an affordable housing requirement.

But today, only 160 nonbinding reservations remain for the 366 for-sale units. That's 44 percent of the inventory before buyers are asked later this year to sign binding purchase contracts requiring a 10 percent deposit.

Projects in Limbo

1. A California company that bought 5.2 acres in Kaka'ako nearly two years ago said last September it intended to begin building a 295-unit tower between existing luxury high-rises Hawaiki and Ko'olani just 'ewa of Ala Moana Center by the end of this year.

But that project has been put on hold, according to D. Scott MacKinnon, a Honolulu attorney representing landowner Woodridge Capital LLC.

"Credit is basically unavailable," he said. "There are no plans right now to proceed."

2. Another previously announced project, a 120-unit condo at 1700 Kalakaua Ave. in Pawa'a, was called off earlier this year after the developer sold the land in February.

3. A third potential project is a luxury condo up to 250 feet high envisioned by Sam House Development LLC, which bought a lot on Kapi'olani fronting Ala Moana Center in June 2007, though no timetable for proceeding has been announced.

Moving forward

1. 1723 Kalakaua, a 120-unit condo in Pawa'a near the Hawai'i Convention Center planned by a San Francisco construction company.

2. 176-unit high-rise at 1315 Kalakaua Ave. in Pawa'a. That project, called Holomua, is trying to obtain county approval to exceed the area's building height in return for offering 51 percent of the units at affordable prices to buyers with low to moderate incomes.

Urbanguy

Oct 13, 2008, 5:26 PM

Oops double post. :(

Jai

Oct 15, 2008, 5:10 PM

$2.5B estimate for Kobayashi's mass-transit plan (http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081015_25B_estimate_for_Kobayashis_mass-transit_plan.html?page=all&c=y)
Mayor Hannemann's campaign criticizes it as badly thought-out

Mayoral candidate Ann Kobayashi unveiled her new mass-transit plan yesterday to build elevated three-lane highways for zipper lanes and buses that she says would be 62.5 percent of the cost of Mayor Mufi Hannemann's proposed rail transit system.

Kobayashi has been working with Panos Prevedouros and says their project costs 60 percent less than the mayors steel on steel plan.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4238/20081015kobayashitransiqx7.jpg

Her plan would cost $2.5 billion, as opposed to Hannemann's projected cost of $4 billion, to build a 15-mile elevated highway beginning at the H-1 and H-2 freeway merge in Waipio to downtown Honolulu.

"It's realistic, it's practical, it's sensible," Kobayashi said. "There's no irresponsible spending."

She said construction could start right away if she is elected, but had no estimate of a completion date.

Kobayashi's proposal comes three weeks before the Nov. 4 general election in a mayoral race that has focused primarily on Hannemann's planned rail transit system from Kapolei to Ala Moana.

Kobayashi clashed primarily with Hannemann on the technology of the system, with him favoring a "steel wheel on steel rail" system while she pushed for "rubber-tire bus on concrete" - basically, a sleeker-looking express bus.

Kobayashi pushed for the bus technology but came up with this plan after receiving the endorsement of former mayoral candidate Panos Prevedouros two weeks ago. She rejected claims yesterday that this was political maneuvering to capture Prevedouros' supporters, though many of them did attend her news conference yesterday.

The major part of Kobayashi's elevated "guideway" would have two zipper lanes for carpoolers and one lane for buses, which would be reversible depending on the traffic flow. Her plan also calls for:

» Bus-only lanes for expanded shoulders into Ewa Beach.

» "Bus Rapid Transit" system for buses to run on King and Beretania streets to the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

» Downtown "underpasses," or mini-tunnels, on Alakea and Halekauwila streets in downtown Honolulu for buses.

The only way for Kobayashi's plan to be implemented is if she wins as mayor and if Oahu voters reject a proposed City Charter amendment to build Hannemann's system on the November ballot.

"We have three weeks," said Kobayashi's campaign manager, City Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz. "We want to make sure that the voters know the alternatives."

Kobayashi boasted that this system would alleviate traffic congestion and cut drive times significantly. For example, she estimated that a drive from Ewa Beach to Honolulu would take 33 minutes and from Mililani to Honolulu would take 26 minutes during rush hour. Typically during rush hour, those drives can take more than 90 minutes and 60 minutes, respectively.

Hannemann's campaign was quick to criticize Kobayashi's proposal, calling it unrealistic. Pro-rail advocates, including Hannemann ally state Rep. Kirk Caldwell, called it an "11th-hour, half-baked" idea and a "flip-flop," part of her "inconsistent" voting record.

"This so-called blueprint is one of the worst and least well-thought-out ideas to come down the pike in a long time," Hannemann campaign manager A.J. Halagao said in a statement. "It's BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) all over again, something Councilmember Kobayashi strenuously opposed and with good reason. It's hard to believe that she changed her position once again."

The campaign is referring to a 2004 proposal by then-Mayor Jeremy Harris for a 12.8-mile Bus Rapid Transit system that would have used existing lanes for hybrid buses. Kobayashi rejected the plan, which was later scrapped completely, but said her new proposal is nothing like Harris' project.

"The reason I voted against BRT previously is that it would have gone along Dillingham (Boulevard) and Kapiolani (Boulevard)," she said. "In this plan, it uses the parking lanes of King and Beretania during rush hour and that's all. This is elevated. The other wasn't. There's a big difference."

Kobayashi has repeatedly criticized Hannemann for his confidence in receiving up to $900 million in federal funding for his project, as promised by ranking U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar last year. She said because of the declining economy, the federal government wouldn't have those kinds of funds to disperse.

With her plan, however, she said there is more likelihood of receiving nonlocal funding because it is eligible for money from the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Highway Administration. Kobayashi said she hopes to receive up to $1.2 billion from each agency.

The Hannemann campaign viewed it differently, questioning whether the plan would be eligible to receive local funding from a half-percent increase in the state general excise tax that says the money can't be used to build or fix highways.

"The plan will not qualify to use the GET, and with no local funding mechanism, it will also fail to qualify for FTA funds," Halagao said.

Here's a link to the video presentation (http://www.kitv.com/video/17718409/index.html)

Urbanguy

Oct 17, 2008, 2:48 AM

^I don't like that idea at all and am surprised that she changed her position on this, perhaps, it's because of Panos? I'm also not a fan of the elevated rail proposal. I think that it would be better and probably more cost effective at ground level. However, I do like the idea of a tunnel downtown, an idea that has been kicked around for years.

Here's another update:

I'm not a fan of this but it will be a fairly major construction project.

Disney unveils plans for Hawaii

Source: Pacific Business News (http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2008/10/13/daily41.html)

Wing Chao, executive vice president of master planning of architecture and design for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, shows a model of Disney’s planned Oahu resort to Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Disney resort chairman Jay Rasulo and Djuan Rivers, Disney’s vice president of vacation club resorts in Hawaii.
http://cll.bizjournals.com/story_image/208820-0-0-3.jpg

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts on Thursday unveiled a model of a resort scheduled to open on Oahu in 2011.

The mixed-used resort includes 350 hotel rooms and 480 vacation villas for Disney Vacation Club members.

The family-focused resort will be located on 21 acres at Ko Olina Resort & Marina in West Oahu.

The resort will feature two towers, gardens, pools, water slides, a fake volcano caldera, spa, banquet and meeting space, and wedding facilities.

Disney film characters played by humans, such as mermaids, are expected to play a regular role at the resort.

This is Disney’s first vacation club-hotel venture to be separate from its theme parks in California, Florida and Japan. Disney also operates vacation clubs in Vero Beach, Fla., and Hilton Head, S.C.

Jai

Oct 17, 2008, 8:30 AM

Local realtors are claiming house prices will go up as far away as Waianae because of the Disney resort

M1EK

Oct 17, 2008, 5:14 PM

The elevated roadway plan is just so incredibly stupid, there's no way anybody who actually wants transit to succeed would ever vote for it unless they're criminally misinformed. The whole point of projects like those is to be a Trojan Horse for cars.

Rail would work like a charm in Honolulu with very little effort. LRT in Houston (that's right, HOUSTON) is a flying success - Honolulu's residential and employment density is so much higher it ought to be a no-brainer.

bunt_q

Nov 5, 2008, 7:27 AM

Looks like the rail won - thanks to Mufi for letting it ride his coattails! This will be very good for the island. It will also be the premier new rail project in the entire country (and I'm not sure many folks realize this around here...yet)

Rail wins 51% to 46%

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

A referendum on Honolulu's planned elevated commuter rail passed in the third printout of election results.
Advertisement

Some 51 percent of voters favored a city Charter amendment authorizing the construction of a steel-wheel on steel-rail train and 46 percent of votes were against.

A "yes" vote allows the city to begin construction on the 20-mile rail project, while a "no" vote all but kills the $4.3 billion project.

The early results showing a majority of voters for rail indicates that residents appear committed to the project despite concerns caused by the recent global economic downturn. The favorable rail results likely were bolstered by Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann's strong advocacy for the project and a recent major pro-rail ad campaign.

Jai

Nov 6, 2008, 1:58 AM

Thank God for that

I stumbled onto a pro-rail rally disguised as local festival last week. I've always been pro-rail, but the over emotional almost visceral arguments of some people against rail surprised the heck out of me.

Urbanguy

Nov 10, 2008, 5:58 PM

I'm really glad that rail passed although those against it wont' stop yapping. Here's how they voted and as you can see geography had a lot to do with the results. :)

http://media.starbulletin.com/images/20081031_A1-transit.jpg

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/assets/gif/M1122161119.GIF

Sources: Honolulu Advertiser and Star Bulletin

Factoids:

TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS*

Salt Lake Route
$5.2B

Airport Route
$5.4B

Combined Route Yikes! :stunned:
$6.4B

*Amount estimated after the system is built. City officials have used other construction cost figures as low as $3.9 billion for the Salt Lake route. However, that is in current dollars and does not include inflation or interest the city will have to pay.

OPERATION, MAINTENANCE ANNUAL COSTS**

Salt Lake Route
$109M

Airport Route
$119M

Combined Route
$172M

**Amount the city is estimated to spend on the rail system, not including TheBus and HandiVan costs. City officials have said the operation and maintenance costs are about $60 million, but those figures also do not include inflation.

NOTABLE PROPERTIES POSSIBLY AFFECTED BY THE RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT

Pearl City
» Banana Patch, a multigenerational community with 10 homes and Alpha Omega Christian Fellowship Church, to be fully acquired.
» Solmirin House, a one-story plantation-style house built in 1937, to be fully acquired.

Along Dillingham Boulevard
» Boulevard Saimin Restaurant, a two-story building from the 1960s, to be partially acquired by losing its parking lot.
» Afuso House, a one-story plantation-style home built in the 1960s, with the home to be acquired.
» Higa Fourplex, a historic, two-story plantation-style home on Dillingham Boulevard developed in the 1940s before World War II, to be fully acquired.
» Texeira House, a one-story plantation-style home built in the 1940s, to be fully acquired.

Schools
» Radford High School, a small area of the parking lot to be acquired.
» Waipahu High School, some of its buildings might be displaced.
» Honolulu Community College, with a small area of land to be acquired.
» Aliamanu Elementary and Middle School, with a small area of land to be acquired.

Miscellaneous
» Kanpai Bar and Grill, 404 Ward Ave., to be fully acquired because of an unidentified hazardous material on its site.

Urbanguy

Nov 21, 2008, 2:02 PM

This is potentially some great, great news for the city of Honolulu! The reason why I say potentially is because it's just a proposal in need of approval but it look's like it may move forward!

Kakaako rebirth pushes forward

A $233.6 million project is expected to create 1,200 jobs

Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin (http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081121_kakaako_rebirth_pushes_forward.html?page=all&c=y)

:)

BTW, this appears to be a separate proposal than the other massive one in the same area with as much as 20-30 new highrises. I cannot remember exactly but I posted information on it somewhere in this thread.

This artist's rendering depicts a pedestrian mall within the proposed Kakaako redevelopment.
http://media.starbulletin.com/images/20081121_news_kakaako2.jpg

This rendering shows an overview of Kamehameha Schools' Kakaako redevelopment plans.
http://media.starbulletin.com/images/20081121_news_kakaako1.jpg

Map of development -- makai (towards the sea), mauka (towards the mountains)
http://media.starbulletin.com/images/20081121_news_kakaako_ch.jpg

GETTING A MAKEOVER

Highlights of Kamehameha Schools' 29-acre Kakaako revamp:

» A 400,000-square-foot Asia Pacific Research Center, the first phase of which, expected to cost $80 million, could break ground as early as the end of 2010 and create 1,200 new jobs

» 2,750 homes on 29 acres mauka of Ala Moana Boulevard, to break ground at the same time as the Asia Pacific Research Center

» Kamehameha is requesting approval for a maximum 4.6 million square feet of density, which would include commercial space, pedestrian walkways and bike paths.

Kamehameha Schools is forging ahead on a new master plan intended to propel the rebirth of Kakaako into a long-awaited hub for Hawaii's high-tech industry.

The revised plan, which comes as many developers scale back in the down economy, includes the building of 2,750 homes on 29 acres mauka of Ala Moana Boulevard and a 400,000-square-foot Asia Pacific Research Center -- the first phase of which, expected to cost $80 million, could break ground as early as the end of 2010, according to a proposal the $9 billion trust expects to file next week with the Hawaii Community Development Authority. The total cost of the center, assuming the cost per square foot for the rest of the project remains the same, is estimated at $233.6 million.

The vision is to create a "vibrant, pedestrian-friendly and environmentally sustainable urban village" over the next 15 to 30 years so that the next generation can secure high-wage jobs at the innovation center and live in a neighborhood populated by restaurants and businesses.

The center will be built on five acres behind the former Gold Bond Building at 677 Ala Moana Blvd. adjacent to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the proposed cancer research center. The former CompUSA site is expected to be one of the first areas to be redeveloped.

Kamehameha is request- ing approval for a maximum 4.6 million square feet of density, which could change depending on what is actually built in the district.

Bordered by Ala Moana Boulevard, Halekauwila Street, South Street and Ward Avenue, the revitalized neighborhood would be a mix of low-rise apartment buildings and commercial space and include pedestrian walkways and bike paths. The city also is planning its transit line at Halekauwila Street. At least 20 percent of the residential development is expected to meet affordable-housing requirements.

Updates:

1. The new Disney Hotel (two towers 15 flrs) recently broke ground.
2. University of Hawaii-West Oahu gets crucial zoning change
3. Hawaii making plans for larger, modernized emergency center - The state wants to build a $70 million emergency operations center on Diamond Head Road that could withstand a Category 4 hurricane or a powerful earthquake, comfortably accommodate dozens of representatives from state and federal agencies in one control center and run on a generator for at least 15 days. Construction starting as early as 2010.

Urbanguy

Nov 21, 2008, 2:51 PM

Here's a more detailed map of the proposed development in Kaka'ako.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/assets/jpg/M11229271121.JPG

Urbanguy

Nov 26, 2008, 6:13 PM

I may have posted this already somewhere in this thread but i'm posting it again because this proposal is near the Kaka'ako Redevelopment Plan posted above. I'd love to see both projects realized but i'm sure it will meet a lot of resistance and well financing is a problem these days.

Sources: Honolulu Advertiser, Star Bulletin and Ward Neighborhood

Ward Neighborhood envisioned as ‘urban village’
Owner General Growth unveils a 20-year plan for the 60-acre area

-Includes 4,000 residential units

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2008/Feb/07/hawaii802070358AR_b.jpg

Pedestrian Mall
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2008/Feb/07/hawaii802070358V2_b.jpg

The Ward area of Kakaako would get a major makeover starting in about three years under tentative plans unveiled yesterday by General Growth Properties, which owns 60 acres in the district. Plans call for pedestrian-friendly plazas oriented mauka to makai, more housing and more retail and dining options.
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/02/07/news/art1e.jpg

http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/02/07/news/art1c.jpg

Possible future skyline of the area.
http://www.midweek.com/images/uploads/2008/080917/justthoughts_2.jpg

The skyscrapers in colour
http://www.wardneighborhood.com/App_Images/bg_vision05.gif

http://www.wardneighborhood.com/App_Images/bg_vision04.gif

Ward makeover
General Growth Properties has unveiled tentative plans to redevelop its 60-acre holdings in the Ward area of Kakaako over the next 20 years, including:

» Creation of a 3.25-acre central plaza, stretching mauka to makai through the current Farmers Market and part of Ward Warehouse.
» Auahi Street would become a main boulevard lined with trees, open seating areas, outdoor art.
» Two additional public plazas, along Ward Avenue and Kamakee Street.
» More housing, ranging from affordable to upscale.
» Underground utilities, lush landscaping, lampposts and benches.
» 100-plus more businesses.
» A variety of transportation options, including a transit station on Queen Street and bike paths.

Map of area - The development looks to be on the property where Marukai and the Fish Market, etc are located. Now, a proposal to redevelop this chunk of land has been mentioned nearly 8 1/2 years ago but there were never any real details until earlier this year.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2008/Feb/07/M19909926.GIF

For more information about the proposal and pdf files go here >> Ward Neighborhood (http://www.wardneighborhood.com/Vision.aspx#FullRangeofResidentialOptions) <<

Any thoughts?

Urbanguy

Dec 4, 2008, 3:43 PM

Here's what the skyline (towers coloured in) may look like in the future for the Kaka'ako area owned by Kamehameha Schools.

Source: Kaka'ako | The Project (Kamehameha Schools) (http://kakaakomp.ksbe.edu/project.aspx)

There are at least 7-8 additional skyscrapers in this rendering.
http://kakaakomp.ksbe.edu/data/uploads/birdsViewW.jpg

Park Diagram
http://kakaakomp.ksbe.edu/data/uploads/parkDiagram.jpg

Map of various Districts in and around the CBD
http://kakaakomp.ksbe.edu/data/uploads/home_text2_001.jpg

<< News >>

Kamehameha Schools presents its vision to HCDA

Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin (http://www.starbulletin.com/business/20081204_Kamehameha_Schools_presents_its_vision_to_HCDA.html?page=all&c=y)

The master plan echoes an earlier proposal by General Growth Properties

Kamehameha Schools yesterday presented its vision for Kakaako lands it owns to the state yesterday afternoon, eight months after General Growth Properties presented its master plan.

Many elements of the plan sound similar to General Growth's master plan - it, too, is a pedestrian-friendly urban village offering tree-lined boulevards. But Kamehameha Schools believes its plan puts more emphasis on education and living, calling it a progressive, new-era community for Honolulu.

Besides an innovation technologies center, Kamehameha Schools is also seeking to build up to 2,750 additional residences in Kakaako.

HCDA will have a 200-day timeline in which to decide whether to approve the master plans.

The Kaiaulu 'o Kakaako (meaning Kakaako community) Master Plan

» Concept: Mixed-use urban village

» Acres: 29

» Residential units: 2,750

» Timeline: 15-plus years

At the centerpiece of the trust's plan is the Asia Pacific Research Center on five acres next to the medical school, which is expected to create up to 1,200 high-wage jobs.

The first phase of the "innovations technologies" center, which measures 137,000 square feet, and is estimated at a cost of $80 million, could begin in late 2009 or early 2010.

Kamehameha Schools is speaking with local life sciences and alternative energy companies, as well as venture capitalists and firms in Asia and Australia to fill the center.

Residents are a key component of the plan, and thus, Kamehameha Schools envisions building up to 2,750 more units along nine blocks.

A mix of mid-rises and high-rises would be offered at various price points, as well as rentals, which Kamehameha Schools is exploring. Luxury condos would also be a part of the plan.

Combined with General Growth's master plan, Kakaako would be home to up to 7,000 for residential units if both were approved.

The entire master plan would be carried out in 15 years or more.

Urbanguy

Jan 8, 2009, 5:33 PM

Here's some good news and an update:

Affordable housing project is back on track in Kaka'ako

Source: Honolulu Advertiser (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090108/BUSINESS04/901080318/-1/BACKISSUES)

The Halekauwila Place project, announced two years ago, was stalled by financing problems until the Hawai'i Community Development Authority stepped in.
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4962/halekauwilaplaceprojectnf2.jpg

Quick Stats:

1. 201-units
2. 18 stories

A developer and the state have revived an affordable housing project in Kaka'ako stalled by financing troubles, but only after a state agency guiding development in the area took the unusual step of lending money for the planned rental tower on state land.

Directors of the Hawai'i Community Development Authority yesterday agreed to make a $15 million loan that will allow local developer Stanford Carr to proceed with the $86.2 million Halekauwila Place project announced two years ago.

The deal is being hailed as a creative approach that will produce jobs, capital investment and affordable housing as growing numbers of Hawai'i residents face employment and housing struggles in a declining economy.

Urbanguy

Jan 19, 2009, 2:27 AM

Smaller Honolulu Construction Projects

Haumea Tech Center (http://www.haumeatechcenter.com/) in Kapolei (Suburb)

http://www.haumeatechcenter.com/haumea_tech_center002001.jpg

Location:
http://www.haumeatechcenter.com/haumea_tech_center006005.jpg

Kapolei Pacific Center (http://www.kapoleipacificcenter.com/)

http://www.kapoleipacificcenter.com/images/portal-2x3.jpghttp://www.kapoleipacificcenter.com/images/portal-4x3.jpg

MayDay

Feb 10, 2009, 3:01 PM

Aloha, I had the pleasure of visiting Oahu last week and snapped a few pics of the Trump building - check the "City Photos A-M" section for more Oahu pics:

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/hawaii09/hawaii09_91.jpg

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/hawaii09/hawaii09_124.jpg

Urbanguy

Mar 12, 2009, 10:51 PM

Here's a huge project that look's likely to be built. It is another one of those liefstyle malls but the plan does include 4 towers around 120 ft. two of which will be hotels and the other two--office towers.

Sources: Honolulu Star Bulletin (http://www.starbulletin.com/business/20090312_Kapolei_mall_development_on_track.html) and Debartolo Development (http://www.debartolodevelopment.com/storetrax/ka-makana-alii)
http://www.debartolodevelopment.com/files/pics/kma.jpg

A few facts:

» Developer: DeBartolo Development LLC of Tampa, Fla.
» Mall: Ka Makana Ali'i
» Cost: $500 million
» Size: 1.5 million square feet including mall (including 1 million square feet of retail), two office towers (measuring about 200,000 square feet) and two hotels (300 to 500 rooms).
» Parking stalls: About 4,000
» Location: Kapolei Parkway and North-South Road
» Groundbreaking: 2010
» Ultimate buildout: 2013

cata77

Mar 24, 2009, 1:56 AM

Honolulu is looking good!

kaneui

Aug 3, 2009, 5:34 AM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/Allure-Waikiki.jpg
Kahu Richard Kamanu, left, watched as Alan Schachtman
and Don Carp untied a maile lei at yesterday’s Allure Waikiki
topping-off ceremony and blessing.
(photo: Craig T. Kojima)

Upscale Waikiki condo tops off at 35 stories
The developers are upbeat about sales despite tough times

Honolulu Star-Bulletin
By Nina Wu
June 18, 2009

Developers of Allure Waikiki, a 35-story upscale residential project, topped off the tower yesterday morning, marking its completion. Chicago-based Fifield Cos. considered the topping off a milestone after breaking ground at the 2.2-acre site — once home to the Wave Waikiki — in January 2008. "We're doing what we said we would do," said Alan Schachtman, Fifield's senior vice president. "We'll be in a good position when we deliver next year."

Allure Waikiki is slated for completion in mid-2010. The project offers 291 units ranging from one to three bedrooms, along with an infinity-edge pool and waterfall. Two years ago, the units were priced between $750,000 to $1.75 million. Today they're in the $500,000 to $2 million range. The real estate market has shifted, and Allure Waikiki earlier this year reduced prices on some of the units by 20 percent. Schachtman said the price reduction here boosted sales. Prices for the now-complete Allure Las Vegas were reduced 25 percent, he said. "The market is lousy everywhere, but we're doing better here than in other markets," he said. "Waikiki has done better than average. I think it has to do with the scarcity of the product."

Fifield declined to disclose the number of units sold, but several buyers were on hand to celebrate the topping off yesterday. Edwin Dang and his wife are downsizing from a multi-level Moanalua townhome for a two-bedroom at Allure Waikiki. "We like what's happening in Waikiki," he said. "We thought the location was excellent, and we like to get out and walk." While the Allure Waikiki and nearby Trump International Hotel & Tower (a 38-story ultra-luxury tower slated for completion by the end of this year) appear to be on track, other projects have been stuck in limbo due to financing issues. The Moana Vista on Kapiolani Boulevard, for instance, has since the beginning of this year been stalled on the 27th floor, which is only about halfway complete.

kaneui

Aug 3, 2009, 5:47 AM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/MoanaVista.jpg
A San Diego-based developer, OliverMcMillan,
has a contract to buy the partially built 46-story
Moana Vista high-rise in Kaka'ako.
(photo: Deborah Booker)

Obstacle cleared in sale of stalled condo
Moana Vista's development plan modified; work could resume by end of the year

By Andrew Gomes
Honolulu Advertiser
July 4, 2009

Construction of the Moana Vista condominium tower in Kaka'ako may resume by the end of the year if a proposed purchase of the stalled project is completed by a California development firm. An affiliate of San Diego-based OliverMcMillan has a contract to buy the partially built 46-story tower at 1009 Kapi'olani Blvd., makai of McKinley High School. A state agency on Wednesday approved changes to the tower's development plan that would allow the purchase to proceed.

The approval from the Hawai'i Community Development Authority clears a major obstacle that could have derailed the deal, though it's still not certain the sale will go through. Dan Nishikawa, OliverMcMillan's director of development, yesterday would not comment on the deal because it is still pending. If the sale closes, OliverMcMillan anticipates completing Moana Vista by the end of 2011, about 18 months later than planned by present owner KC Rainbow Development Co. The potential sale and resumption of work on the 492-unit condo comes about seven months after KC Rainbow halted construction because it couldn't obtain financing to complete the project.

KC Rainbow, headed by high-tech entrepreneur and University of Hawai'i graduate Fred Chan, had funded construction up to November following its successful development of a nearby pair of oval high-rise towers called Moana Pacific, completed in early 2007. Moana Vista appeared positioned to be another success for Chan in May 2006 when 466 people entered a lottery to buy 192 units reserved for owner-occupants. Investors reserved nearly all remaining units available for purchase, and construction began several months later. But since then, buyers canceled most of their nonbinding reservations as the local real estate market and economy deteriorated. KC Rainbow tried to bolster sales by cutting prices about 20 percent in December, but the move failed to generate enough new sales to obtain financing.

OliverMcMillan, a 30-year-old private firm, has developed a variety of residential and commercial real estate projects. The company on its Web site said it has $2 billion worth of projects in its development pipeline, including a $700 million urban redevelopment plan in Houston, residential lofts in San Diego and a mixed-use project involving a historic winery in Ontario, Calif. A purchase price hasn't been disclosed for the Moana Vista deal. Allen Leong, project operations director for KC Rainbow, couldn't be reached for comment yesterday. To clear the way for a sale, KC Rainbow sought to amend its development agreement with HCDA, the agency governing redevelopment in the area. KC Rainbow previously agreed to provide 124 units as rentals affordable to tenants earning no more than 140 percent of Honolulu's median income. OliverMcMillan seeks to sell the 124 units at prices affordable to buyers with the same maximum income.

Anthony Ching, HCDA executive director, said rental and for-sale units are both options under agency rules for providing moderate-priced housing, and that agency staff supported the change in the interest of reviving the project. "The state doesn't lose," he said. "We still get (moderate-priced) housing." Ching also said OliverMcMillan may increase the number of moderate-priced units in the tower beyond what is required. Dexter Okada, an agency board member, said the board approved the change to allow the sale to proceed. "The intention was to get the construction started again," he said.

Another development plan amendment approved by the agency's board allows OliverMcMillan to decide the location of all 124 of the moderate-priced units in the tower. Previously, KC Rainbow planned to include most of the units in a building planned for an adjacent parcel separated by Waimanu Street. Under the revised plan, HCDA is seeking to purchase the separate parcel from a KC Rainbow affiliate to develop public parking. Previously HCDA had an option to buy parking stalls from KC Rainbow in the project.

kaneui

Aug 3, 2009, 6:16 AM

The plummeting Trump brand now faces buyer lawsuits at the Trump Tower Waikiki, which supposedly set a world real estate sales record when it initially sold out in seven hours in November, 2006:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/TrumpTower.jpg
Above is the Trump International Hotel & Tower at Waikiki Beach Walk.
(photo: Cindy Ellen Russell)

Trump Tower might not really be a Trump
The builder is sued by buyers who say the name was just licensed

By Nina Wu
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
July 14, 2009

Call a spade a spade, but a lawsuit brought by several buyers alleges that the Trump International Hotel & Tower at Waikiki Beach Walk is not really a Trump. Honolulu attorney Warren Price III filed suit in state Circuit Court yesterday on behalf of the buyers of 11 units, alleging that Los Angeles developer Irongate did not disclose that Trump was merely licensing its name to the project and could terminate that deal at any time. "Our clients intended to invest in an exclusive, one-of-a-kind Trump project in Waikiki," said Price. "They were making an investment in a Rolls-Royce. They weren't told there's a license and it can be terminated, at which time the Rolls-Royce turns into a Ford."

Price says Irongate concealed the terms and conditions of the Trump license agreement, including whether it could be assigned to the buyers. These material facts should have been provided before buyers signed their sales contracts. Without the Trump name, said Price, the plaintiffs would be buying just another off-beach 'Brand X' condo/hotel in Waikiki -- not the investment they intended to make. The suit seeks the cancellation of the 11 sales contracts, with a full return of the plaintiffs' deposits, plus interest. The buyers were required to pay the remainder in full by cash or committed loan tomorrow to meet a target September closing deadline. Trump Tower Waikiki is still on track for completion by fall, and set to open by the end of this year.

Irongate principal Jason Grosfeld declined to comment on the suit personally. But Irongate issued a statement yesterday saying, "A small group of individuals filed suit today. We believe that all of the claims are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves. Furthermore, we intend to pursue all of our own claims against these individuals. The vast majority of buyers are moving towards closing and are looking forward to their first visit to Trump Tower Waikiki Beach Walk later this year."

Price says he plans to add more plaintiffs to the suit in the next 10 days. He will also file a federal suit on behalf of Japanese buyers who bought units through Seven Signatures Corp., which handled sales in Tokyo. In November 2006 all 464 units in the 38-story tower were sold for more than $700 million, according to a media release sent out by Irongate touting it as "the biggest one-day sale in real estate history in the world." But Irongate called real estate mogul Donald Trump a "co-developer" in the same release, when he is not, alleges the suit. Only recently did a brochure go out to buyers, with micro-script at the bottom of a page disclosing that the tower is not owned, operated, developed or sold by Donald Trump, the Trump Organization or any of its affiliates.

Hawaii real estate analyst Ricky Cassiday said the Trump Waikiki units -- although marketed as ultraluxury -- have shifted to a lower value compared with three years ago. A beachfront project would have retained more value, he said. "If I was a betting man, I'd say there's trading going on, and futures of a Trump unit are much lower than 12 to 18 months ago," said Cassiday. The current plaintiffs include a mix of Hawaii and California residents; Morris Peterson, a guard with the NBA's New Orleans Hornets; and a business by the name of Trump Four LLC.

Buyers were required to put a 20 percent deposit down for the units, which had an average price of $1.5 million but also ranged up to $9 million for a penthouse. Price says buyers have good reason to be wary of the license terms, particularly when there is ongoing litigation between Irongate and Trump for another project in Baja. "The law is you need to tell the buyer all the facts so the buyer can make an informed decision," said Price. "All we're asking for is our money back."

kaneui

Oct 23, 2009, 2:30 AM

The unfinished Moana Vista condo tower has been renamed Pacifica by its new owners and will have 46 stories and resort-level amenities upon completion:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/MoanaVistacondos.jpg
San Diego-based OliverMcMillan has bought the partially
built Moana Vista condo tower from the original developer
for an undisclosed sum, averting a foreclosure auction.
(photo: Honolulu Advertiser)

Kaka'ako condominium tower sold
New owner plans to resume building early next year

by Andrew Gomes
Honolulu Advertiser
Octob er 22, 2009

The partially built Moana Vista condominium tower in Kakaako, makai of McKinley High School, has been renamed Pacifica by a development firm that completed its purchase of the stalled project yesterday. San Diego-based OliverMcMillan said it expects to resume construction early next year and will give buyers who previously held reservations to buy units from the original developer priority to buy units in the revamped project. OliverMcMillan has not set prices for Pacifica. Some changes to the 46-story tower are planned besides the name, including exterior design, unit interiors and the addition of resort-level amenities. The number of units may change slightly from the 492 originally planned.

OliverMcMillan acquired the project for an undisclosed price from original developer KC Rainbow II LLC, which ran into financing trouble late last year. That led to construction being halted in November and a foreclosure lawsuit filed by general contractor Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. The sale averted a foreclosure auction of the project, which is about 40 percent complete, with the tower's structure rising up to the 26th floor.

OliverMcMillan is a 30-year-old privately held firm that has developed a variety of residential and commercial real estate projects. The company said it has $2 billion worth of projects in its development pipe-line, including a $700 million urban redevelopment plan in Houston, residential lofts in San Diego and a mixed-use project involving a historic winery in Ontario, Calif.

kaneui

Dec 16, 2009, 8:08 AM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/Pacificacondos.jpg
Plans for the new Pacifica tower in Kaka'ako call for changing
exterior colors and features to give the project a more upscale look.
(render: OliverMcMillan)

Condo tower gets new name, new money
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)
by Janis L. Magin
December 15, 2009

The San Diego development company that bought the unfinished Moana Vista condominium tower plans to spend $110 million to restart and upgrade the project, now known as Pacifica. Pacifica will create work for dozens of local companies and generate 400 construction jobs over the next two years, its new owner says.

OliverMcMillan is redesigning the 46-story building’s exterior, unit mix, layout and ground-floor retail space to give it a higher-end feel, and adding 4,000 square feet of amenities on a fifth-floor recreation deck. The firm is working on obtaining approvals for the changes from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and expects to restart work on the project in March.

kaneui

Jan 21, 2010, 4:57 AM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/AulaniDisneyResort.jpg
A view of the construction of Disney's new resort at the Ko Olina Resort & Marina.
It's scheduled to open in fall 2011.
(photo: Walt Disney Co.)

Disney resort named 'Aulani'
Hiring for the West O'ahu complex is slated to start in the middle of next year

By Robbie Dingeman
Honolulu Advertiser
January 20, 2010

The new Disney resort being built in West O'ahu will be named "Aulani," officials with the company said yesterday. The first phase of the resort is scheduled to open in fall 2011. Disney officials said they expect to start filling most of about 1,000 jobs in the middle of next year. A handful of specialized job openings in Hawai'i already are posted at www.disneycareers.com. Disney officials said the new resort's name reflects "the company's deep commitment to celebrating the Islands' rich history and traditions." "We want this resort destination to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it. The name 'Aulani' expresses a connection to tradition and deep story-telling — and its roots are here in this land," said Joe Rohde, a senior vice president. The English translation of Aulani is "messenger of a chief," according to the Hawaiian Dictionary by Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert.

Aulani will be located on 21 acres of oceanfront property in the Ko Olina Resort & Marina development. Plans for the resort call for 360 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom time-share units, as well as an 18,000-square-foot spa. The resort, built adjacent to a lagoon and a white-sand beach, is planned to include two restaurants, a 14,545-square-foot conference center and 48,685 square feet of outdoor venues. The plan is unusual for Disney in that it does not include a theme park.

Disney has launched a new Web site, www.DisneyAulani.com, to provide updates and background information on the resort now under construction. "We are looking forward to welcoming guests to Aulani to share the fun, immersive family vacation experiences Disney is known for, combined with the beauty and culture of Hawai'i," said Djuan Rivers, vice president of Disney Vacation Club and Resort, Hawai'i. "We are turning to the Hawaiian culture for inspiration in everything we are doing at Aulani, and we hope our guests will not only enjoy the Disney experience, but will also embrace the unique culture of Hawai'i and its diverse people."

kaneui

Jan 24, 2010, 7:52 PM

A proposed 26-story beachfront tower for the Princess Kaiulani Hotel in Waikiki will face some opposition from the adjacent Hyatt hotel:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/PrincessKaiulaniTower.jpg

Hotels ready for extreme makeover
Last phase of $1B project will upgrade Kaiulani and revamp beachfront site

By Robbie Dingeman
Honolulu Advertiser
January 24, 2010

Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts — owner of such Waikīkī landmarks as The Royal Hawaiian and Moana hotels — is gearing up for the final phase of a $1 billion upgrade project that would build the first new oceanfront hotel along the fabled beach in more than 30 years. The aging Princess Kaiulani hotel also will gain a new tower, demolish two other hotel buildings and revamp an existing hotel tower in an extensive facelift. The resort company expects to file the final environmental impact statement for the project this week, according to Kyo-ya executive vice president Greg Dickhens. The new 26-story beachfront hotel would be built on the site now occupied by an eight-story hotel that is part of the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort. Dickhens said the new hotel would be managed as a separate entity. It's likely that Starwood Hotels would continue to manage the property, which could be run under a luxury hotel brand, such as St. Regis or W Hotel, he said.

The resort company has been talking publicly about the extensive renovation project for the past two years and has won the support of the Waikīkī Neighborhood Board. Dickhens said most of Waikīkī's hotels were built in the 1960s and 1970s. "It's tough to be competitive when your product is 30, 40, 100 years old." Since the makeover plans first emerged, the company has changed from including a timeshare component to a hotel/condo-hotel/residential mix that includes 61 residential units in the top part of the new Pikake Tower at the Princess Kaiulani site. The number of traditional hotel rooms would decline from a total of 1,140 to 937; the retail space would go from less than 25,000 square feet to 82,000; and the number of parking spaces will increase by 167.

This is the latest in a series of extensive renovations of the aging resort area, which anchors the state's No. 1 industry. Kyo-ya recently completed a makeover at the Sheraton Waikiki, and had previously done extensive renovations at The Royal Hawaiian and Moana. Other large-scale projects in recent years include Outrigger's Waikiki Beach Walk, developed at a cost of $535 million, and Kamehameha Schools' $115 million remake of the Royal Hawaiian Center. Other new construction included the Trump Tower and Hilton's Grand Waikikian timeshare resort.

After the final environmental study is reviewed, Dickhens estimates an 18-month process to get the necessary government review and permits. Waikīkī Neighborhood Board Chair Robert Finley said the project got approved by the citizen board because it proposes knocking down older buildings and simplifying traffic in a congested part of Waikīkī. "During the recession, it's nice to see them spending money," Finley said. And those who live and work in the area said they like the idea of reducing traffic congestion on busy Ka'iulani Avenue. He added that the buildings targeted for demolition won't win much support. He said the Princess Kaiulani redesign gets rid of older buildings and moves the hotel entry traffic onto the property.

Finley said there are more questions and concerns about the new tower proposed along the shore near the Honolulu police station. "That old building is so nasty looking," he said. "Getting it gone would be nice." But Finley said people are watchful of whatever will be built beachfront and will be paying attention during the government approval process. "It's going to be right on the water, it's going to be taller than what's there now," Finley said. He said he could understand some concern from the nearby Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. "It would block part of their ocean view much like the Hyatt blocked part of the PK's view," Finley said.

Hyatt General Manager David Lewin said his company does not oppose the plan at the Princess Kaiulani part of the project: "It would be a great addition to Waikīkī. While the new tower will impact our 'ewa views, it is a good use of the lot and an upgrade to Kalākaua." However, Lewin said Hyatt doesn't support the tower next to the Moana for two reasons. "It does not meet the design requirements of the special district. The height and setback are in direct violation, especially the height," he said. Dickhens said Kyo-ya is asking for approvals for variances for the project but proposing a taller, thinner design that includes a two-story, open-air entryway that it says will provide ocean views and other amenities that make it worthwhile and an improvement over the shorter "lot line to lot line" footprint of the old building.

Lewin said he thinks the tall tower won't win friends for the visitor industry. "If approved, it will be another poor reflection on the industry in the eyes of the public," he said. But Dickhens said the modern design, landscaped green space and increased areas accessible to the public make the overall project an improvement that is winning support. If approved, Dickhens said he expects the net number of unionized employees to remain about the same in the future because running a new separate high-end hotel will require more workers while the residential units would eliminate positions. Finley said Kyo-ya has been open to questions and concerns about the project and is proposing a plan that adds some elements that the community likes, including another public pedestrian access from Kalākaua Avenue to Waikīkī Beach; and a $500,000 contribution to the state's plan to replenish sand along the beach.

Dickhens said working with the community, including descendants of the Native Hawaiian families of the area, has been rewarding. And that's how the project has evolved. "You can't just draw up a lot of pretty pictures and get it approved," he said. Dickhens also highlighted the new public surfboard racks — about 100 — planned and the opening up of the view of the ocean views from Kalākaua.

kaneui

Feb 18, 2010, 6:08 AM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/USSMemorialVisitorsCenter.jpg
A large map of the Pacific region during World War II is part of the new
USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center at Pearl Harbor.
(photo: Bruce Asato)

Pearl Harbor opens new visitor center for the USS Arizona
Second phase of $58 million project to be done by Dec. 7

By Dan Nakaso
Honolulu Advertiser
February 17, 2010

PEARL HARBOR — Thousands of visitors today are expected to pour into the first phase of a new USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center, designed to replace the old buildings that have sunk nearly three feet into the unsteady ground around Pearl Harbor. Herb Weatherwax, a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor that launched America into World War II, sat in a motorized wheelchair yesterday as he helped untie a maile lei to open the new visitor center at a ceremony for VIPs. At the age of "92 1/4," Weatherwax hopes to be around when the second — and final phase — of the center opens Dec. 7 on the 69th anniversary of the Japanese attack. "I hope to live that long," said Weatherwax, who was an Army private stationed at Schofield Barracks during the attack.

Weatherwax looked around the new visitor center yesterday and proclaimed it "outstanding." It offers a new bookstore that's nearly twice the size of the old one, an education and research center, a snack bar, administrative offices and a centralized ticketing operation so visitors can more easily attend the other World War II-era attractions around what's commonly referred to as the USS Arizona Memorial: the USS Bowfin Museum, USS Missouri Memorial and Pacific Aviation Museum-Pearl Harbor.

For Weatherwax, the critical part for tourists will be the addition of more and larger bathrooms. "That's very, very, very important," Weatherwax said. "The older place was so cramped up, and there's always a big line-up at the bathrooms." By congressional proclamation, the USS Arizona Memorial has been renamed the "World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument." Its land-based visitor center also will get a new name, but for now it's being called the "USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center replacement and expansion project."

2nd phase to start

As the new, unnamed center welcomes its first visitors today, construction will simultaneously begin on the second phase — on the grounds of the old center — for a total cost of $58 million. The actual memorial that straddles the remains of the USS Arizona was built in 1962. The original visitor center opened in 1980 on 11 acres of soil that had been dredged to expand the Halawa Basin area. When it opened, the center was designed to sink no more than 18 inches into the reclaimed soil, but instead it dropped more than 30 inches, causing water to seep into the basement and erode the concrete structure. It also was designed to accommodate only 2,000 visitors each day — not the 4,500 tourists and residents who actually show up at Hawai'i's No. 1 tourist attraction, which does not charge for admission.

The new center was built on top of 180 pilings driven 200 feet into the soil; the pilings are designed to keep the new facility stable, said Tom Fake, regional project director for the National Park Service, which runs the USS Arizona Memorial. When the second phase is finished, the 23,600-square-foot visitor center will be almost twice as large as the old one and will sit on 6 additional acres, for a total area of 17.4 acres. The second phase will include exhibits aimed at looking beyond the Japanese attack, with titles such as "Road to War," "O'ahu 1941," and "Attack and Aftermath." It's intended to open in time for the annual anniversary commemorating the Japanese attack, which has been held at Pearl Harbor's Kilo Pier. This year, the ceremony will return to the visitor center's back lawn, which will be three times larger.

What's in store

Until the visitor center is complete, tourists who begin arriving today will view a 23-minute movie about the Pearl Harbor attack outdoors instead of in the old theater, which will be renovated and upgraded with digital equipment. An undulating roof design that's part of the first phase is intended to improve the air flow outside for visitors, who will look beyond an outdoor exhibit of the Arizona's anchor out toward Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial. "We designed it with comfort in mind for the visitors," Fake said. "We provided lots of shade, lots of seating areas.' U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai'i, was instrumental in securing both federal and private money for the new visitor center and attended yesterday's ceremony. "We've been waiting for this a long time — a building that we hope will never sink," Inouye told The Advertiser after the ceremony. "More importantly, this building will bring all the forces together — not just the Arizona, but the Missouri, the Bowfin, all the heroes. That's the way it should be."

Before the start of yesterday's ceremony, Inouye — a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in World War II — greeted survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, many of whom will continue to greet visitors and share their individual stories. "I'm glad I'm here to witness this event," Inouye said. "It's a day we won't forget."

kaneui

Feb 18, 2010, 7:35 AM

Hawaii to get $24.5M to repair, expand Pier 29
Honolulu Advertiser
February 17, 2010

The state Department of Transportation will get $24.5 million in federal stimulus funds to repair and expand Pier 29, the federal government announced today. About 80 percent of all commercial goods in Hawai'i are imported and 98 percent of these goods go through the port.

The Pier 29 container yard at Honolulu Harbor suffered structural failures in 2008 that displaced an international freight carrier. Stimulus funds will be used to reconstruct Pier 29 and add about 12 acres of upgraded cargo yard. The improvements also are aimed at increasing efficiency and safety in Honolulu Harbor. Overall, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $1.5 billion in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery awards today.

kaneui

Feb 21, 2010, 6:20 PM

Honolulu rail-transit schedule slips again
City doesn't expect groundbreaking until late this year

By Michael Tsai
Honolulu Advertiser
February 21, 2010

Hope that recent delays in the timeline of the city's proposed rail project would quickly be resolved are giving way to the realization that construction probably won't begin anytime soon. City officials have acknowledged in recent weeks that release of the project's final environmental impact study and groundbreaking have been delayed indefinitely, but new dates posted on the city's Web site for the project are the first recognition that it may take longer than even they had anticipated.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann said yesterday that the rail transit project has fallen behind schedule due to a prolonged environmental impact study process but said that he still hopes to have construction under way sometime this year. The projected schedule for rail transit posted at www.honolulutransit.org indicates that groundbreaking and start of construction are now expected late this year. That would put the project as much as a year behind schedule. Groundbreaking, originally planned for December 2009, had to be put off when federal review of the project's environmental study took longer than expected. As recently as January, city officials were saying that federal approval of the final environmental review was expected in February, with groundbreaking to start soon thereafter. A draft of the EIS is under review by the Federal Transit Administration. Wayne Yoshioka, director of the city Department of Transportation, said the report is "99.5 percent done," although concerns regarding the protection of historical sites near Pearl Harbor and the system's alignment are still being addressed.

The project ultimately requires the governor's approval, and once the FTA releases the study it will be up to Gov. Linda Lingle whether to accept it. And therein lies the concern, according to Hannemann. The governor, who was given an administrative draft of the study, said she intends to conduct a thorough review to make sure the study meets all of its legal requirements. Lingle also said she plans to conduct an independent analysis of the city tax revenue forecasts that are the basis of the project's financial plan. Calls to Lingle's representatives were not immediately returned. Lingle is in Washington, D.C., for the meeting of the National Governors Association. She is also expected to meet with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Hawai'i transportation issues.

Hannemann will be in Washington next week for a regularly scheduled meeting with the FTA. "We wanted to (break ground) ... in December 2009 but everything right now is being held up by the EIS," Hannemann said. "The goal is still to break ground this year. The problem is that all (Lingle's) messages have been very negative regarding her timely acceptance of" the EIS. Hannemann chafed at Lingle's public assessment of the project's financial plan as "shaky," and he cited the FTA's recent commitment of $1.55 billion toward the $5.3 billion system. "That's even before we go into final design or release the EIS," he said. "This is a great position for us, and for the governor to continue to put up roadblocks when she has no other job stimulus projects that will create jobs now nor any project that will bring about traffic relief is dumbfounding. "Her assessment of our financial plan being shaky goes against what the FTA told her, which is that they review us every step along the way. The final EIS is not at her desk, but 13 state agencies have already reviewed this and nobody is raising major concerns that this is not going to be done." Hannemann has previously said that delaying the rail project could cost taxpayers an additional $200 million per year. The project calls for an elevated rail line that will run 20 miles from East Kapolei to Ala Moana.

City Council chairman Todd Apo said the delays are not a reflection of problems with the project itself. "Overall, the project is not starting as soon as we would have liked, but this does not show that there is a problem with the project itself," Apo said. "The FTA has already committed $1.55 billion to it. They have a draft of the EIS and they consider it a good project. "Obviously we don't want it delayed, but the governor has a role and an independent look at it can be helpful as long as it's done in a timely manner. Obviously there is some back and forth between the mayor and the governor, but hopefully that won't get in the way of the process."

City Councilman Charles Djou, an outspoken opponent of the rail plan, said that the delay in breaking ground is a result of complications arising from Hannemann's "my way or the railway" approach to pushing the project. "After the vote in 2008, what he should have done was build consensus in the community and reach out to opponents," Djou said. "He continued to refuse to hold public hearings, and as a consequence there is a lack of public confidence. These are self-inflicted wounds. "This is bad for everyone. His bullheaded style is unhealthy. Even though I opposed rail, the voters voted to do it. So if we're going to do it, let's do it right and not waste the taxpayers' money."

Onieros

Mar 11, 2010, 10:23 AM

I love how they plan to tax the workers to create a transit system so the workers can get to work in order to continue paying taxes.

Urbanguy

Mar 27, 2010, 8:55 PM

Mahalo Kaneui for all the updates! I've been a total slacker for the past several months or more! Well, ever since moving back to Honolulu! Been so busy but i'm glad that someone has been posting. :)

Urbanguy

Mar 27, 2010, 8:57 PM

I should ask my buddy what he thinks about the proposals for Waikiki--he's one of the board member's there.

kaneui

Apr 4, 2010, 5:36 AM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/HiltonHawaiianVillage.jpg
The two-tower expansion won't reduce the amount of green space in the area, since the
structures will be built on existing lots. The project will also add retail space and swimming pools.
(render: Honolulu Advertiser)

Hilton commits 2-tower expansion to timeshares
By Alan Yonan Jr.
Honolulu Advertiser
April 1, 2010

Hilton has seen the future, and it is timeshares. The global resort company said yesterday its planned two-tower, 550-room expansion at the Hilton Hawaiian Village will be devoted entirely to timeshare units, a fast-growing sector of the lodging industry. Hilton officials cited the success of the company's Grand Waikikian Tower, a timeshare project completed in late 2008 on the 22-acre campus of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The tower, operated by Hilton Grand Vacation Club, recently eclipsed $1 billion in sales, and the company said it is looking to get more supply in the pipeline while demand is strong. "This expansion will give us enough product to sell well into the next decade," said Ted Middleton, Hilton's senior vice president of development, the Americas. "It's very important to have new inventory to dovetail into the growing demand," he said at a news conference to announce the project.

Construction on the first tower, a 37-story, 300-unit building to be built on the site of a bus-loading area along Kalia Road, is expected to start sometime in 2013 and be completed in 2015. Construction on the second tower, a 25-story, 250-room building, is projected to start five years later on the site of the current Rainbow Bazaar shopping area next to the resort's parking garage. The project also will include additional swimming pools and retail space. The project meets all current zoning and density requirements, but will have to undergo an environmental review, said Jerry Gibson, area vice president and managing director for Hilton Hawaii. When completed, the expansion will result in 700 new jobs at the hotel, Gibson said. It also will generate an undetermined number of construction jobs as it is being built.

Rising popularity
Hotel companies have been shifting their room mix to include a larger share of timeshare units in recent years. Because they are prepaid, timeshare memberships provide hotels with higher occupancy rates and a more steady stream of revenue, even during times when the visitor industry is slumping. The Disney resort being built at the Ko Olina Resort will have a mix of 480 timeshare units and 350 traditional hotel rooms. And Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts says its redevelopment of the Princess Kaiulani hotel in Waikīkī will include a timeshare component.

The growth trajectory of Hawai'i's timeshare sector over the past decade has been steep. The number of timeshares has risen sharply from about 4,815 units in 2002 to more than 8,000 units today. "Timeshare obviously is one of the growth areas for the state," said Joseph Toy, president and chief executive officer of Hospitality Advisors LLC, a local visitor industry consulting firm. "Previously most of the timeshare inventory had been concentrated in Kaua'i, and indeed we're now seeing the expansion of the timeshare market to the other islands." Toy said the the trend is healthy for the industry and the overall economy because it "diversifies our product base for the growing diverse demand from the visitor market." The project will cost in the "hundreds of millions of dollars," Middleton said, but he did not provide a specific amount.

There will be no net loss of green space because the new towers will be built on existing developed areas, said Norman G.Y. Hong, chief executive officer of Group 70, the firm that is designing the project.

Latest upgrade
The new rooms will be added to the resort's current inventory of 3,627 rooms. Existing floor space will increase to 3.8 million square feet from 3.2 million square feet. The density will increase, but will not exceed limits under Waikīkī Special Design District rules, Hong said. Hilton executives are scheduled to make a presentation on May 11 to the Waikīkī Neighborhood Board. "I'm very pleased it will be creating 700 new jobs," said Bob Finley, Waikīkī Neighborhood Board chairman. "I'm very pleased that the labor unions will have work for the next 10 years. I'm very pleased that we will be expanding the tax base. People are finally beginning to understand that Waikīkī businesses contribute so much to our vital services."

The Hilton facelift is the latest in a series of large-scale upgrades in Waikīkī over the past five years, including Outrigger's Beachwalk project along Lewers Street, Kyo-ya's renovation of the Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Waikiki hotels, and the Royal Hawaiian Center. Additionally, Kyo-ya is preparing to launch a $700 million overhaul of its Princess Kaiulani complex that will include a new beachfront hotel.

kaneui

May 23, 2010, 9:04 PM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/MaukaConcourse-HNL.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/MaukaConcourseInterior-HNL.jpg
Illustrations of new Mauka Concourse expansion for interisland flights at Honolulu International Airport.
(renders: HDOT)

Expansion takes flight
Honolulu airport's old commuter terminal will be replaced in modernization plan

Honolulu Advertiser
May 23, 2010

The state is set to begin preliminary work next month on a major expansion of the Interisland Terminal at the Honolulu International Airport, the first significant piece of a $2.3 billion statewide airport modernization plan. The Mauka Concourse, a 220,000-square-foot L-shaped structure with 12 gates, will replace the old commuter terminal currently used by go! Mokulele, Island Air and other smaller carriers. The new concourse, which will be able to accommodate the new Airbus widebody jets that Hawaiian Airlines is adding to its fleet, is scheduled to be completed by 2013. The concourse will have five new security screening lanes, two restrooms each for men and women, four family restrooms, restaurants, information kiosks and a premier club.

Island Air and go! Mokulele will move into the Interisland Terminal this summer to make way for demolition of the commuter terminal. "This relocation will be a tremendous benefit for the traveling public because of the convenience of accessible parking and check-in, as well as having many more passenger amenities in the IIT," said Brian Sekiguchi, the state Department of Transportation's deputy director of the airports division. "In addition, passengers connecting to or from Mainland flights will have significantly less walking distance and do not have to undergo additional security screening as they do now at the remote commuter terminal," he said. The Mauka Concourse is the first of several major upgrades at Honolulu International Airport expected to total $1.7 billion through 2021. The plans also call for replacing the 'Ewa and Diamond Head concourses and renovating the main concourse, all of which are in the main terminal. The DOT website calls the project a "multi-year effort to transform Honolulu International Airport into a distinctive, functional airport, worthy of a first-class visitor destination, to meet the growing needs of residents and visitors alike."

The Department of Transportation estimates that the statewide modernization effort will generate 40,000 jobs over the life of the project. Pasadena, Calif.-based Parsons Aviation is the program manager for the airport project. Parsons has managed dozens of airport projects in recent years, including ones in Abu Dhabi, Athens, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles. Some smaller elements of the airport modernization program are already underway. The DOT last fall completed the first section of an enclosed, air-conditioned corridor with a moving walkway for international arrivals. The first phase of the project serves gates 26 to 30 in the 'Ewa Concourse, where Japan Airlines lands most of its jets. When the $37 million project is completed later this year, it will have three sections of moving walkways totaling 2,100 feet, and result in a reduction of Wiki Wiki buses to eight from 13. In preparation for construction of the Mauka Concourse, the DOT next month will begin renovating the Interisland Terminal to accommodate the commuter airlines that will move there. Work will include new ticket counters, baggage claim offices and signage for the commuter airlines, according to a newsletter from the DOT's Airports Division.

Airport modernization projects are also moving forward on the Neighbor Islands. At Kahului Airport, installation of an explosive detection system is expected to be completed this summer. A new baggage carousel was recently installed at Kona International Airport's South Terminal. And work is continuing on a new $30 million cargo building at the Hilo International Airport. The 60,000-square-foot building will include cargo space for 10 tenants, office space, laboratory and inspection facilities, climate-controlled areas and an animal quarantine area. It is expected to be finished by the end of 2011.

kaneui

Jun 9, 2010, 3:47 AM

In Kailua town on O'ahu's windward side, landowner Kaneohe Ranch is currently constructing Phase III of Kailua Town Center, which will feature a 31,000 sq.ft. Whole Foods Market and 12,000 sq.ft. of additional retail, scheduled to open in 2011:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/KTC-Ph3WholeFoodsMkt.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/SitePlanforKailuaTownCenterPhase3--.jpg
Kailua Town Center, Phase III - rendering and site plan
(courtesy: Kaneohe Ranch)

For more info.: http://www.kaneoheranch.com/projects/kailua-town-center.cfm

big T

Jun 20, 2010, 2:03 AM

That doesn't look too bad. Kaneohe is a nice town, definitely my favourite place in Hawai'i.

kaneui

Jun 26, 2010, 2:06 AM

That doesn't look too bad. Kaneohe is a nice town, definitely my favourite place in Hawai'i.

Although owned by Kaneohe Ranch, Kailua Town Center is actually in Kailua, next to Kaneohe. Although the two towns are adjacent to each other and about the same size (50,000 each), Kailua and Kaneohe definitely have their own distinct look and feel.

kaneui

Jul 10, 2010, 4:50 AM

Owner Kyo-ya now has the support of the local neighborhood association and numerous Waikiki business groups to replace an aging 8-story hotel wing fronting Waikiki Beach with a new 26-story tower, although it will require variances from height, building setback, and shoreline encroachment laws established in 1976:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/DiamondHeadwing-MoanaSurfriderHotel.jpg
The Moana Surfrider Hotel's Diamond Head wing slated for demolition.
(photo: Shelly Bonoan)

Ka halekui o Waikiki
A beachfront landmark wants to raise the roof with its new addition

by Curt Sanburn
Honolulu Weekly
July 7, 2010

Perhaps you’ve seen those sleek and ubiquitous commericals airing during local TV newscasts lately? The ads trumpet Waikiki’s future while showing marvelous architectural drawings, then vaguely asking for your support. What those ads are about: plans are afoot to demolish an eight-story hotel on the beach at Waikiki and replace it with a 26-story condo/hotel tower. This summer, the project’s sponsors are asking the Honolulu City Council to grant four different exemptions to the law regarding building height, density and shoreline setback.

The stakes are high. The beach tower is a relatively small but important part of hotel owner Kyo-ya’s $700 million redevelopment plan for its Princess Kaiulani and Moana Surfrider properties in the heart of Waikiki. Located at the spot where Kalakaua Ave.’s canyon of high-rises opens up to Kuhio Beach Park, the redevelopment site has been dubbed “Ka Piko Waikiki” by Kyo-ya, the longtime hotel owner and leaseholder of several former royal properties owned by Kamehameha Schools. Since 2004, Kyo-ya has been controlled by New York-based Cerberus Capital Management, one of the world’s largest private investment firms.

The Diamond Head Tower, as it’s called, would be squeezed into the last private lot along the beach, the narrow lot adjacent to Kuhio Beach Park currently occupied by the 52-year-old, 141-room Diamond Head wing of the Moana Surfrider Hotel. The lot is so narrow, in fact, that Kyo-ya is asking for a variance to the state’s 40-foot waterfront setback law in order to accommodate a beachfront pool. About 40 private residences would occupy the higher floors in the tower, stacked atop 185 hotel rooms that reportedly might be marketed and managed as a W Hotel. There’s only one catch: The tower is a direct challenge to well-established city law...

To read more: http://honoluluweekly.com/cover/2010/07/ka-halekui-o-waikiki/

kaneui

Oct 10, 2010, 10:06 PM

The former Ilikai Yacht Harbor Tower has been transformed into the 353-room Waikiki Edition, the first hotel in Marriott's new boutique brand:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/MarriottWaikikiEdition.jpg
The pool at the Waikiki Edition is dubbed Sunset Beach
and is surrounded by 100 tons of sand from the neighbor
islands to give guests that beach feeling.
(photo: Cindy Ellen Russell)

Waikiki Edition opens
By Allison Schaefers
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
October 5, 2010

The Waikiki Edition, the first hotel in Marriott International's long-awaited boutique brand, is open for business after three years in development. Guests began arriving last Tuesday to fill the hotel's 353 rooms and suites. It's so new that pictures of the property have not been posted on the company's website, and there has been worldwide clamoring for a look at what Marriott expects will become an iconic hotel and brand.

The Waikiki Edition, which was created by boutique hotel maven Ian Schrager in partnership with Marriott International, has transformed the former Ilikai Yacht Harbor Tower into a private oasis. There's no sign of the Ilikai's famous aqua exterior on the former annex, and the interior has morphed from tired '80s into something more reminiscent of a private beachfront home owned by someone young, posh and modern. "People do not want something derivative. They want the real thing and this is the whole idea behind Edition," Schrager said in a statement. He is expected to be at the property's Oct. 15 grand opening along with Arne Sorenson, Marriott International's president and chief operating officer.

Conceived in collaboration with architects George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg and landscape designer Deborah Nevins, the Waikiki Edition is high-energy yet relaxing. "It was refreshing. It felt like an extension of a luxury residence," said Myra Brandt, principal broker at Kahala Associates, who attended a party at the Edition on Friday night. Guests who book rooms by Oct. 15 can stay in city-view rooms for $195 nightly, said Mark Aldridge, the Waikiki Edition's director of sales and marketing. Later, rates will range from $345 for a city-view room to $9,995 for a 1,400-square-foot penthouse with a 1,500-square-foot lanai, he said.

Guests will delight in the property's exclusive Sunset Beach, which comes complete with its own lagoon surrounded by 100 tons of neighbor island sand. The lobby, which is surfer chic by day, transforms into an elegant bar by night with the slide of a bookshelf. The hotel's Surf and Bikini Boot Camps offer customized physical fitness, health and weight loss packages. There's a full-service spa, a Crazybox nightclub and a signature restaurant developed by television's famous "Iron Chef" Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Notable amenities include 24-hour room service, twice-daily housekeeping and an outdoor movie theater, which will play first-run movies on Thursday nights. The second Edition will open in Istanbul, Turkey, later this year. The concept is coming soon to Mexico City; Barcelona, Spain; Bangkok; and Miami's South Beach.

kaneui

Dec 7, 2010, 11:51 PM

After two years of construction, the second phase of the new $56M Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is now complete, with the dedication held on today's anniversary:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/PearlHarborVisitorsCenter-render.jpg
(render: www.pearlharbortour.com)

Pearl Harbor Honors Survivors With New Center
Hundreds Attend Ceremony Marking Attack
KITV.com
December 7, 2010

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- Tuesday was the 69th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. About 2,500 people attended the ceremony. It was a time to honor those who died and those who survived. Speeches were laden with tales of heroics. A moment of silence was held at the exact time the attack started, followed by a missing man flyover. After the commemoration ceremony, the National Parks Service held a dedication of the new $56 million Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and museum.

The survivors, other veterans and their families took part in a walk of honor with members of all branches of the military, with the National Parks Service saluting as the walked by. That group was the first to officially experience the new interactive exhibits. "It creates a new opportunity for understanding that day of infamy, because we have multiple voices, multiple perspectives. We're not just telling one side of the story. We're telling a broader story," Pearl Harbor historian Daniel Martinez said.

The park service built the new center because the old one, which was built on reclaimed land in 1980, was sinking into the ground. The old facility was also overwhelmed by its popularity: It received about 1.6 million visitors each year, about twice as many as it was designed for. People often had to squeeze by one another to view the photos and maps in its small exhibit hall. In comparison, the new center has two spacious exhibition halls with room for more people, as well as large maps and artifacts such as anti-aircraft guns.

"I was right in here, between torrent 3 and the main one," USS Arizona survivor Lou Contor said, pointing at a picture. Of the 2,300 sailors killed that day, half were on the Arizona. "I think the most dramatic was the men were coming out of the fire," Contor said. "We had to grab them, hand them, any way lay them down, and their skin was burned and it would come off in your hands. That was probably the worst part of that." Contor said the museum is well done. "It's open and you can walk around and you're not cramped anywhere, and you can look at all of the things and different points of view," Contor said. Many of the survivors took the time to check out a new point of view of the date that continues to live in infamy. "Long after the last veteran of the war in the Pacific is gone, we will still be here telling their story and honoring their dedication and sacrifice," National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis told about 120 survivors who traveled to Hawaii from around the country for the event.

For more info.: http://pearlharbortour.com/

Lipani

Dec 22, 2010, 8:50 PM

Glad to see the rail system moving forward. When I lived in Makiki, the H-1 was always packed. Hopefully this will help alleviate some of that:

Abercrombie's EIS approval green-lights rail construction
By Star-Advertiser Staff
POSTED: 06:28 p.m. HST, Dec 16, 2010

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has approved an environmental impact statement for Oahu’s rail transit project, a step that will allow construction of the $5.5 billion project to begin.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye had said the state could lose a promised $1.55 billion in federal funds if construction doesn't begin soon on the 20-mile, east Kapolei to Ala Moana elevated rail line.

Abercrombie’s predecessor, Gov. Linda Linge, had declined to sign off on the EIS until an independent financial review was performed.

That review was released two weeks ago. It said the project could cost $1.7 billion more than projected and that tax revenues and ridership could fall short of expectations.

But Abercrombie and new Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle said they believe the project remains on sound footing. Abercrombie signed off on the EIS and forwarded it to the mayor’s office, Abercrombie spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz said.

Abercrombie issued this statement:

“The role of the state in this step of approving the environmental impact statement for Honolulu’s rail transit system is to ensure that all economic, social and environmental risks have been properly addressed under law. After a thorough review by and consulting with the state Office of Environmental Quality Control, I conclude the City and County of Honolulu has met these obligations.

“I continue to support a transit system in Oahu. Projects associated with it will be central to Oahu’s future development.

“Now is our opportunity to strengthen our commitment to ensuring that the project is done right, without delay, and with a vision of Oahu’s future clearly in mind. Unresolved issues will need to be addressed with dispatch.

“The City and County has the lead responsibility in the implementation of this project. I pledge continuing open communication at the state level with the city authorities and communities across Oahu and all the islands.”
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/112045384.html

Mike K.

Jan 5, 2011, 7:14 PM

Could I ask for some assistance with the Honolulu Skyscraper Map?
http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/maps/?cityID=421

Only several proposals remain to be marked on the map.

If anyone knows the "exact" positioning of the towers, it would be much appreciated.

In a Google map to select the "exact" position of a tower, right click on the map, then select "Center map here." Then, in the top-right of the map, click the "Link" button which displays a URL. Editors use this URL to insert into the Skyscraper Map system to indicate the exact location of a building on the Skyscraper Map.

The buildings that we require coordinates for are:

2121 Kuhio
Na Hale Kai Tower I
Na Hale Kai Tower II
Na Hale Kai Tower III
Iwelei Elderly Housing

Also, if anyone notices any highrise proposals that are not listed on the map and therefore missing from our database, please confirm.

Your help is much appreciated! :)

Map: http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/maps/?cityID=421

Urbanguy

Sep 15, 2011, 6:28 PM

Sorry for not updating this thread for a while but here's a major update.

The Kakaako 'urban villages' plan approved in 11-0 vote:

Streets and skylines will evolve much differently in Kakaako over the next few decades under new development rules approved Wednesday by a state agency regulating development in a 450-acre portion of the urban Honolulu area.

An artist’s illustration shows how future redevelopment in Kakaako might look under new state rules, with low-rise buildings lining streets and taller buildings set back deeper on street blocks. Streets also would be made more inviting to pedestrians with medians or wide sidewalks and lots of trees.
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/1035170.jpg

MEDIAN GROWTH
Ward Avenue and Auahi streets would be divided by a median planted with trees under planning guidelines for Kakaako. The median on Ala Moana Boulevard, above, also would be extended ewa of Ward Avenue.
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/1035167.jpg

TREE CANOPY
Five wide streets — Punchbowl, South, Piikoi, Pensacola and King — would be lined with monkeypod or shower trees on opposing sidewalks to create green canopies similar to what exists on Kapiolani Boulevard, above.
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/1035166.jpg

http://hcdaweb.org/Central%20Kakaako%20sketch.jpg/image_large
http://hcdaweb.org/promenade%20street.jpg/image_large

http://cms.johnsonfain.com/photos/KAK-KEY1.jpg
http://cms.johnsonfain.com/photos/KAK-021.jpg

Sources: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/), Hawaii Community Development Authority or HCDA (http://hcdaweb.org/) & Johnson Fain (http://johnsonfain.com/)

There are other proposals & updates for the city so I'll try to add more in the near future! :)

Lipani

Sep 15, 2011, 7:03 PM

Wow! That looks very impressive -- and much better planned than the recent developments in Ala Moana.

Urbanguy

Oct 27, 2011, 1:15 AM

This is potentially big news if this ever becomes a reality for the city of Honolulu!

State plans workforce housing development in Kakaako

By Star-Advertiser staff

The state wants to develop a 650-foot tower, two smaller residential and commercial buildings, a parking structure and civic/commercial center at 690 Pohukaina St. in Kakaako, calling it a workforce housing development.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today said the development is expected to create 1,500 jobs, and include 204 affordable rental housing units, 300 affordable housing units, and 500 other units that will be priced at market value.

"This development will provide housing choices and opportunities for a variety of people and families," Abercrombie said in a press release.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority is estimating the development will pump $500 million into the economy, bringing more than 500 construction-related jobs.

The project would be completed in phases, with groundbreaking in February on an affordable rental housing complex, and an estimated completion for all phases in 2019.

The project has been categorized as mixed-use Transit Oriented Development.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/132663243.html)

There are no further details at the moment but a 650 foot tower would be amazing & the city would finally have a building over 500 ft.!!!! *fingers crossed*

===================

Here's an update for the Aiea area.

Robertson Properties Group unveils revised plan for Aiea

Pacific Business News by Duane Shimogawa, Reporter

Plans call for up to 1,500 residential homes and an estimated 220,000 square feet of commercial space, including retail, office, hotel or senior residences.

Key changes to the master development plan include:

• A change in the proposed residential buildings. The original plan proposed three 350-foot-high buildings and two 60- to 80-foot buildings. The revised plan now proposes only one 350-foot building with four shorter buildings ranging in height from 150 feet to 300 feet.

• The residential buildings are also slimmer with more perpendicular orientation to the shoreline, an attempt to reduce the project’s visual impact.

• The number of residences has been reduced from 1,800 to 1,500.

• A traffic study revealed that the proposed mixed-use development would have less impact on traffic than a commercial-only development, which current zoning already allows.

*This rendering shows a portion of Los Angeles-based Robertson Properties' plan to redevelop the former Kamehameha Drive-in property in Aiea on Oahu into a mixed-use development.
http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/KamDrive_InMainStreet_Story.jpg?v=1

Source: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/10/24/robertson-properties-group-unveils.html)

:)

Urbanguy

Oct 27, 2011, 1:35 AM

Here's a rendering (fresh off the press) of the proposed 650 foot tower in Central Honolulu city (Kaka'ako).

http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20111026_br_kakaako.jpg

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/132663243.html)

bobdreamz

Oct 27, 2011, 2:30 AM

^ very nice! The building sort of reminds me of the Gas Company tower in LA & it's nice looking for your first tallest. One question I did have though, the article states that this will be a "transit oriented development" so is it going to be the new rail line being built?
Anyways I hope this gets built!

Urbanguy

Oct 27, 2011, 3:23 AM

^I agree -- it does look like the Gas Company Tower and yes I think that this will be near the new rail line (which will make for a very cool sight when riding through the city!). :D I really hope that this thing actually get's built though, you just never know with this crazy economy!

Illithid Dude

Oct 27, 2011, 4:57 AM

I don't think that is real. It looks too similar to the Gas Company tower.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/download?mid=ff92bdf339ce61593783eea36adc828e&rtyp=lt&ctyp=other&ts=1275883997000

Urbanguy

Oct 27, 2011, 5:14 AM

^There are some minor differences but yeah it's almost a carbon copy. It's highly possible that it is the same architectural form that made the rendering. It's also possible that the design will change which would not be unusual.

Urbanguy

Oct 27, 2011, 5:34 AM

Here's a slightly larger pic from Pacific Business News:

http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/690Pohukaina%20board_story.jpg?v=1
*Courtesy HCDA
This conceptual rendering shows the Hawaii Community Development Authority's plan for 690 Pohukaina, which includes a 650-foot residential tower that would be the tallest building in Hawaii.

A bit more detail about the project from Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/10/26/kakaako-project-would-include-hawaiis.html)

Kakaako project would include Hawaii’s tallest building
Pacific Business News by Janis L. Magin, Managing Editor of Digital Content

The state plans to issue a request for proposals in January for a developer to build two residential towers in Honolulu’s Kakaako neighborhood, one of which would be the tallest building in Hawaii.

The plans for 690 Pohukaina call for one tower with 300 affordable for-sale units and a second tower with 500 market-priced units. The second tower would be 650 feet high, nearly 250 feet taller than the First Hawaiian Center.

The project is slated for a parcel at 690 Pohukaina St., adjacent to developer Stanford Carr’s planned Halekauwila Place project, which is scheduled to break ground next year on 204 affordable rentals.

The Halekauwila Place project’s design has been integrated into the 690 Pohukaina conceptual plan since the two projects abut each other, said Anthony Ching, executive director of the Hawaii Community Development Authority, the state agency that has jurisdiction over and administers zoning regulations for the Kakaako district.

The increased height for the market-priced residential tower — Honolulu has a 400-foot height limit — would come out of the rules for transit-oriented development, which are being revised to increase density in anticipation of Honolulu’s rail transit project, Ching said.

The agency estimates that the project will mean $500 million for the state economy over seven years and create 500 construction jobs and 1,000 more indirect jobs.

“This development will provide housing choices and opportunities for a variety of people and families,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said in a statement. “But the first thing 690 Pohukaina does is create jobs in construction and business sectors.”

The request for proposal will require a developer to design, build and finance the two residential buildings, as well as a commercial and civic building in between that will house retail and restaurant businesses, a business innovation incubation space and offices for the state’s library system and Friends of the Library, which currently occupies a building on the site, Ching said.

The HCDA likely would choose a developer by the end of 2012, and construction of the two residential towers, considered the second phase of the project after the Halekauwila rentals, likely would start in 2015 or 2016 with completion in the summer of 2019, Ching said.

The Halekauwila rentals will be completed by early 2015, he said.

Some excerpts from KHON News:

Honolulu's rail is planned to pass nearby.

690 Pohukaina is currently the address of the Friends of the Library Hawaii filled with books, but many more stories will fill this block. The new height allows a 650 foot tower -- around 60 stories, far taller than anything else in Hawaii. The Hawaii Community Development Authority voted on new transit-oriented development rules to allow the height and density.

"This will be a signature development in Hawaii," said HCDA's Anthony Ching."You will have unobstructed views, and that you clearly are a one of a kind situation."

The suggested positioning of the market-rate condo tower is supposed to work in tandem with current sightlines.

http://www.khon2.com/media/lib/128/7/6/9/769188d4-c00a-41bd-b122-be31d92f23cc/Story.jpg

"As a resident in Kakaako, Keola Lai, I live on the 28th floor and when I took a serious look at this, it doesn't block our view," said the governor's Chief of Staff Bruce Coppa.

The state will provide the land, while private developers will build it out. The library nonprofit will still have a home in the new block. An area small businessman expressed concerns about the transit-oriented rules saying the higher density could backfire on smaller landowners.

"Because of the fact that you're small you can't use the density, all that happens is the city based on best use the city will increase the valuation of property and increase your property taxes," said Kakaako business owner Dexter Okada.

The HCDA says its transit oriented overlay will still allow for the character of the surrounding area to remain.

"Please be assured that areas such as Sheridan Tract and central Kakaako in particular will not be affected by transit oriented development," Ching says.

Rentals will go for about $900 a month up to $1,370 a month, ready by the year 2015. Today's HUD affordable threshold for condos would sell for $350,000, that will be different by the time that project wraps up in 2019.

Source: KHON2 News (http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Skyscraper-planned-for-Kakaako/vORFcxNUBk6ZZ11uqt5ZSQ.cspx)

Urbanguy

Oct 28, 2011, 6:41 AM

Tallest buildings over 350 ft. in Honolulu (Built, Approved or U/C)

Honolulu city
1 690 Pohukaina 650 ft *Proposal (2015-2019?)
2 First Hawaiian Center 438 ft
3 Pacifica Honolulu 425 ft *To be completed November 2011
4 Moana Pacific East Tower 423 ft or 422 ft?
5 Moana Pacific West Tower 423 ft or 422 ft?
6 Hokua 416 ft or 418 ft?
7 Nauru Tower 416 ft or 418 ft?
8 Hawaiki Tower 400 ft
9 Imperial Plaza 400 ft
10 One Archer Lane 400 ft
11 One Waterfront Makai Tower 400 ft
12 One Waterfront Mauka Tower 400 ft
13 Ko'olani 400 ft
14 World Trade Center Hawaii 400 ft *Proposal
15 Ala Moana Hotel 397 ft
16 1132 Bishop Street 387 ft
17 Keola Lai 387 ft
18 The Watermark Waikiki 374 ft
19 Discovery Bay Center 351 ft
20 Hawaii Monarch Hotel 351 ft
21 Hilton Grand Waikikian 351 ft
22 The Windsor 351 ft
23 Trump International Hotel and Tower 351 ft
24 Yacht Harbor Towers 351 ft
25 Canterbury Place 350 ft
26 Century Center 350 ft
27 Endeavor Condominium [Discovery Bay] 350 ft
28 Executive Center 350 ft
29 Franklin Towers 350 ft
30 Honolulu Park Place 350 ft
31 Honolulu Tower 350 ft
32 Hyatt Regency Waikiki Diamond Head Tower [Hyatt Regency Waikiki] 350 ft
33 Hyatt Regency Waikiki Ewa Tower [Hyatt Regency Waikiki] 350 ft
34 Island Colony 350 ft
35 Ohana Maile Sky Court 350 ft
36 Pacific Monarch 350 ft
37 Pauahi Tower 350 ft
38 Regency Tower [Regency Tower] 350 ft
39 Regency Tower 2 [Regency Tower] 350 ft
40 Resolution Condominium [Discovery Bay] 350 ft
41 Royal Iolani Diamond Head Tower [Royal Iolani Condominiums] 350 ft
42 Royal Iolani Ewa Tower [Royal Iolani Condominiums] 350 ft
43 Tapa Tower [Hilton Hawaiian Village] 350 ft
44 The Aqua Waikiki Marina Towers 350 ft
45 Waikiki Banyan Makai Tower [Waikiki Banyan] 350 ft
46 Waikiki Banyan Mauka Tower [Waikiki Banyan] 350 ft

*A Few Proposals just west of the Honolulu area.
[b]Aiea/Pearl Ridge/Pearl City
Robertson Properties Group 350 ft
Robertson Properties Group 300 ft
Robertson Properties Group 250 ft

http://www.liveworkplayaiea.com/img/aerial_view_with_outline.jpg
http://www.liveworkplayaiea.com/img/location_diagram.jpg
http://www.liveworkplayaiea.com/updates/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/lwpa_infosheet_1110.png
Source: LiveWorkPlayAeia.com (http://www.liveworkplayaiea.com/index.html)

Sources: Emporis, Honolulu Star Advertiser, DBEDT, Hawaii News Now

*Sadly, there are many tall buildings through out the city & surrounding areas that have the floors listed but no official height. :( My guess is that there are more over 350 ft.

Urbanguy

Nov 1, 2011, 12:43 AM

Here are some more updates & exciting news! :D

A plan for a tower in Kakaako to stand 650 tall would allow other lofty buildings

By Andrew Gomes

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 31, 2011

When Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced plans last week for soliciting a developer to build Hawaii’s tallest building — a 650-foot residential tower that would be 50 percent higher than the current record holder in Honolulu — he was talking about just one building.

But the state agency promoting the project is proposing to raise the existing 400-foot height limit throughout a much broader area in urban Honolulu.

http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20111031_extended.jpg
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20111031_TRANSIT_graphic_2.jpg

*There are at least 7-8 others that I did not list under the over 350 ft. list that are currently proposed in the 350-400 ft range that the newly proposed transit oriented development maximum height limit of 650 ft could be affected. If it does get the approval there it's possible that Honolulu could have at least 8-9 buildings over 500 ft in the near future!!! :)
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20111031_roof.jpg

Changes coming to Kakaako

Big changes are in the works for Kakaako including new senior affordable apartments, new restaurants and retail space, and harbor improvements.

Parts of Kakaako are slated for a facelift and redevelopment, and some of the changes have already happened.

This block of Pensacola Street sure looks different from what it looked like earlier this year.

There's now a kaiseki restaurant, a chic salon, and a boutique clothing store.

And across the street, Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory is moving in, and building a parking lot.

"We're glad we can finally get retail into the Ala Moana Kakaako area. It's really up and coming. The development there is exciting," said Elliott Chun, Chun Wah Kam General Manager.

And this is just the start of major changes slated for the area, with industrial space being converted to commercial space.

"This area has been poised for that kind of development for some time and we have just passed some new rules," said Anthony Ching, Hawaii Community Development Authority Executive Director.

New zoning rules that encourage land and business owners in Kakaako to build active storefronts.

In addition, plans are in the works to build 68 senior affordable rentals in this space on Kona street between Pensacola and Piikoi.

And just around the corner, on Waimanu Street ...

"Kewalo Basin LLC is going to be developing 345 market but moderate residential condos at that site," said Ching.

Then over at Kewalo Basin Harbor, the HCDA has come up with plans to renovate the docks, and build new ones, adding up to 107 new slips.

"So we're really excited because the EIS has been approved by the Governor for that repair project, and the shoreline management area permit was just issued," said Ching.

The HCDA is currently in talks with a potential private partner, and hopes the project can be finished within three to five years.

"Preference given to commercial fishing and tour and excursion then if available then recreational vessels," said Ching.

And this piano shaped lot near the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center, which is currently used as a parking lot, could become the home of a new performing arts center -- a place of learning, practicing, performance and exhibition.

"So we think it's actually pretty exciting," said Ching.

And the HCDA is currently working on the design of the performing arts center. Then once that's done, plans to take it to the community for input.

Hawaii Real Estate – Stanford Carr’s 690 Pohukaina Will Be Tallest High-rise Condominium Tower in Hawaii

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Jeff and Cathi

The Hawaii Community Development Authority has just granted developer Stanford Carr the right to proceed with building 690 Pohukaina, located in Kakaako. The property will become the tallest high-rise condominium tower in the state of Hawaii, and will stand 650 feet in height. Currently the state’s tallest building is the First Hawaiian Bank Tower downtown, which is 438 feet high. According to plans, 690 Pohukaina will be a mix of condominium units, commercial units, community office spaces, and affordable housing and will cost approximately $500 million to build.

Governor Neil Abercrombie supported the plan and stated, “This is housing for our people and, at the same time, provides a development opportunity for a true public-private partnership. The key to ending urban sprawl, ending arguments about where we’re going to build, is to have urban density in the urban core that makes sense in community terms and Kakaako is the ideal laboratory for this to take place.”

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-27-11

Sources: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/) & KHON2 News (http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Changes-coming-to-Kakaako/KEa2jS2mQ02-0rNcI9SL_Q.cspx)

Urbanguy

Nov 1, 2011, 1:16 AM

Another article:

New rules could mean more taller buildings for Honolulu

Source: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2011/10/new-rules-could-mean-more-taller.html)

Date: Monday, October 31, 2011, 7:22am HST

A 650-foot residential tower planned for a state project in Kakaako would be Hawaii's tallest building, but not for long if the 400-foot height limit is lifted for a larger part of urban Honolulu.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that new rules being drafted by the Hawaii Community Development Authority could result in many more buildings 650 feet high. The newspaper reports that while some environmental groups are concerned about what such skyscrapers could do to Honolulu's view planes, state officials say its a way to increase the amount of affordable housing while increasing density near planned mass transit stations.

Urbanguy

Nov 1, 2011, 3:26 AM

Kamehameha Schools to Build $30 Million Retail Complex in Kakaako

http://www.beyondhonolulu.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Kamehameha-Kakaako.jpg

Kamehameha schools is planning to build a yet to be named retail center in Kakaako. The plan calls for construction of the retail center and is estimated at a cost of $30 million. This project is considered to be the largest project so far out of all the projects that are planned to help redevelop the urban Honolulu area.

The pan alls for a 60,000-square-foot specialty retail center to be built on the block bordered by Coral, Keawe and Auahi streets and Ala Moana Boulevard. The plan also includes a 225-stall parking garage along Keawe Street. Groundbreaking of the project is scheduled for January 2013, and is expected to be completed by the fall of 2014.

“This is a big milestone. It’s our first major retail component and our first full-block project,” said Erin Kinney, a Kamehameha Schools spokeswoman.

“It’s also really built around the pedestrian spaces and courtyard and will have outdoor seating and live music to really take advantage of the atmosphere of the place,” Kinney said. “We’ll have restaurants and stores that will spill over into the common courtyard area where people will be able to sit, eat and gather and just be able to experience and explore.”

The planned shops and restaurants will surround about 10,000 square feet of an open courtyard. There will be space for between 20 and 30 tenants, not including artisan kiosks, with an “eclectic mix of entertainment, restaurants and retail.” Sounds very intriguing. 40 percent of the gross leasable area is slated for retail, 40 percent for restaurants, as well as 10 percent for artisans and 10 percent for offices.

Kamehameha is the states largest private landowner, and this project is part of their master plan to redevelop 29 acres it owns in Kakaako. The nine-block master plan, approved by the Hawaii Community Development Authority in September 2009, envisions a vibrant, artsy urban neighborhood that includes condominiums, town homes and lofts.

http://www.ksbe.edu/images/articles/20111019105505960_2.jpg

Source: Beyond Honolulu (http://www.beyondhonolulu.com/kamehameha-schools-to-build-30-million-retail-complex-in-kakaako) & KSBE.edu (http://www.ksbe.edu/article.php?story=20111019105505960)

New Marina, park improvements planned for Sand Island *located just across from Honolulu's CBD

http://www.khon2.com/media/lib/128/d/6/0/d601260f-d189-4796-bbd7-5ac97f5e6dd6/Original.jpg

A major change could be coming to a big stretch of shoreline at Sand Island.

The state is planning a new marina as part of an ocean recreation park concept.

The plan calls for a private developer to take on the almost $30 million cost while upgrading public access features for ocean users.

Past the warehouses and shipping ports, the industrial facilities and other assorted commerce along Sand Island is an area of sandy beach many Kalihi-Kapalama residents prize.

"That is one of the last beach areas we have as a resident of the Kalihi area," said Healani Pale of Kalihi.

"It's one of the few protected waterways that we can actually waterski, tube and tow our kids around at high speed," said Mark Kimura, who works in the area.

It could become the site of a new marina as part of a proposed Sand Island Ocean Recreation Park.

"Hawaii needs more marina space because there is more demand," said Department of Land and Natural Resources Director William Aila."The Ala Wai Boat Harbor is a prime example where the waitlist for different categories are anywhere from one to two years, up to five years."

The plan calls for much more than just the 400 to 500 slip pier arrangement

"We plan to require the developer to make sure that the canoe storage, the canoe facilities are always open to the public, of course we have the fishing pier, we plan to have accesses on both sides of the facility for kayakers, for standup paddlers," Aila says.

The recreational and park focus includes improvements to the east edge where crescent-shaped canoe and kayak beaches are envisioned

But frequent users of the area see a potential for concern

What they're proposing is nice, but it's going to turn the whole area into another Ala Moana Beach Park, with a lot of people, a lot of congestion, the infrastructure has to be all maintained so it comes up to snuff," Kimura says.

That would largely be the responsibility of the private entity that would develop and operate this site with more public ocean access in mind

"Immediately mauka of this site. we have lots of people living in an area that does not have many opportunities for recreation, especially ocean recreation," Aila says.

The first public hearing was held on Wednesday, another takes place Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at The Marine Education and Training Center on Sand Island Parkway.

Source: KHON2 News (http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/New-marina-park-improvements-planned-for-Sand/CA4NSxUgTEOHRpgk0y4SWg.cspx)

Urbanguy

Nov 1, 2011, 4:17 AM

I. Honolulu Advertiser Redevelopment *This looks like a really cool proposal. I don't have any building heights yet but hopefully more information will be rolling out soon.

Developed and constructed in 1929, the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper operated on this 3.5 acre site in the Kakaako area of urban Honolulu for 80 years. Today, MVE Pacific is providing an adaptive reuse and complete renovation of the historic press building that will anchor the mixed-use redevelopment of this vital site in the community. In accordance with recently updated development rules, established using form based planning principles, the property will establish a new example of sophisticated urban design, blending office, retail and commercial opportunities with much needed affordable housing in the heart of Honolulu and adjacent to the City civic center. Consisting of nearly 500,000 square feet of total improvements in renovated and new buildings, the project expects to contribute to neighborhood redevelopment and support the goals of transit oriented mixed uses that will foster critical urban renewal.
http://www.mve-pacific.com/images/pr/MVEpacific_Advertiser.jpg

======================================

II. Live Work Play 'Aiea *Another look at the proposed project in Aiea (just west of Honolulu near Pearl Harbor) that I posted recently.

This 14-acre site located adjacent to the Pearlridge Shopping Center was the former site of the Kamehameha Drive-In Theatre. Robertson Properties, the landowner and developer, along with the project team have collaborated with the State Department of Transportation and City and County of Honolulu in establishing the vision of a transit-ready master plan and a community gathering place.The proposed village will provide 200,000 square feet of retail and commercial uses along with nearly 1,500 affordable and workforce housing units. With multi-modal access and direct connections to neighboring properties, the village is organized along a pedestrian scaled “main street” while also providing internal public open space This thoughtful mixed use urban transit village is an early pacesetter for vibrant livable neighborhood-focused developments along Honolulu's transit guideway system.
http://www.mve-pacific.com/images/pr/MVEpacific_Aiea.jpg

Source: MVE Pacific (http://www.mve-pacific.com/)

Urbanguy

Nov 2, 2011, 5:27 AM

More updates & Projects.... :)

University of Hawaii Cancer Center - recently topped off
http://www.prlog.org/11641203-of-hawaii-cancer-center.jpg
Image Source: PRLOG (http://www.prlog.org/)

The University of Hawaii Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated center in Hawaii and the Pacific. The Center’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer through research, education and patient care with an emphasis on the unique ethnic, cultural and environmental characteristics of Hawaii and the Pacific. The Center is a research organization affiliated with the University of Hawaii at Manoa with facilities located in downtown Honolulu and Kaka‘ako. A new world-class cancer center is being constructed in Kaka’ako, with a scheduled opening in early 2013. The Center directly employs 300 faculty and staff, with another 200 affiliate members through the UH Cancer Consortium.

Source: UH Cancer Center (http://www.uhcancercenter.org/index.php/about-us/about-us)

Hale Ka Lae in Hawaii Kai (East Honolulu area) *U/C Anticipated completion is the end of 2013

http://hawaiirealestatesite.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Image1.jpg
http://hawaiirealestatesite.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Map-copy.jpg
http://www.halekalae.com/images/gallery/image13.jpg

Source: HawaiiRealEstate.com (http://www.hawaiirealestatesite.com/halekalae) & Hale Ka Lae (http://www.halekalae.com/)

Hilton Project Reaches Major Milestone -- After issuing the project a finding of no significant impact, the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting on July 8 accepted the final environmental impact statement for Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa's $760 million master redevelopment plan.
The two largest components of the plan are two new timeshare towers with more than 560 units collectively. One 37-story, 307-unit tower that will be located over the existing bus loading area is expected to cost $332 million. The second tower, estimated at $305 million, is a 25-story, 255-unit high rise.
After receiving mainly positive feedback at an Aug. 12 public hearing, Hilton is now waiting for the Department of Planning and Permitting to issue a recommendation – it has until Oct. 6 to do so – after which the City Council ultimately will vote on whether to approve the plan. Construction may start as early as 2013, beginning with the 37-story tower and including renovations to the main entry and addition of retail and pedestrian improvements along Kalia Road. This phase is expected to be completed in 2015.
The second phase includes upgrades to the main lobby building, including expansion of the "super pool" and a new Hau Tree Bar.
Phase three, expected to start in 2019, includes the $53 million redevelopment of the Rainbow Bazaar and construction of the second tower on top of it.

http://www.hhvmasterplan.com/assets/images/renderings/072110/timeshare_tower_1.jpg?Action=thumbnail&Width=600&Height=600&Algorithm=proportional&USM=1
http://www.hhvmasterplan.com/assets/images/renderings/072110/New-Rainbow-Drive-Retail-Promenade.jpg?Action=thumbnail&Width=600&Height=600&Algorithm=proportional&USM=1
http://www.hhvmasterplan.com/assets/images/HHV_MPgraphic_031910.jpg

Source: Hilton Hawaiian Village Master Plan (http://www.hhvmasterplan.com/site_plan) & Building Industry Hawaii (http://www.buildingindustryhawaii.com/news.html)

New FBI Building in Kapolei *A western suburb of Honolulu; U/C Scheduled for completion in August 2012

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Rendering-1-1-300x193.jpg

BY JIM DOOLEY - The FBI will become the first federal agency to be headquartered in the Kapolei area of Oahu and groundbreaking for the agency’s new $65 million home was held today.

Frank Montoya Jr., Special Agent In Charge of the FBI Honolulu field office, said the bureau has grown from 15 Honolulu agents in 1971 to 115 now. The office also includes another 120 support personnel, he said.

Agents will move from their present quarters in the downtown federal building to the new offices when construction is completed in August 2012.

The four-story, 152,000 square-foot structure will be leased by the FBI from the private developer, Penrose/Walsh FBI LLC, for $8.2 million per year over the life of a 20-year lease, said FBI Special Agent Tom Simon.

Chris Penrose, managing partner of the development firm, has built similar FBI buildings in several other cities around the country under contracts awarded by the U.S. General Services Administration.

GSA official Jeffrey Neely said the FBI’s departure from the federal building will free up space for new tenants and clear the way “much-needed renovations” in the downtown facility.

FBI agents have been present in Hawaii since 1931 but the bureau became a very active law enforcement presence in the Islands in the early 1970’s, said Montoya, a foreign counterterrorism expert who was assigned here in January.

The jurisdiction of the Honolulu office includes Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa.

The new structure will include a 20,000 square foot annex for automotive and electronic repairs and a secure car parking structure and lot to accommodate 350 cars.

The site is at 91-1300 Enterprise Street on former Barber’s Point Naval Air Station property.

The building was designed by Architects Hawaii and Charles Pankow is the general contractor.

Source: HawaiiReporter.com (http://www.hawaiireporter.com/construction-begins-one-new-fbi-building-in-kapolei/123)

Holomua Condominium *Affordable U/C in the Makiki area of Honolulu
http://www.hihltd.com/holomua/images/project.jpg

Construction starts on affordable Honolulu condo tower

Date: Friday, October 7, 2011, 7:00am HST - Last Modified: Friday, October 7, 2011, 7:10am HST

Developers have started construction on a 23-story condominium tower near the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Beretania Street in Honolulu that is already sold out.

KITV reports that the Holomua project is a joint venture between the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. and private developers THM Partners LLC/KRC Partners LLC. KITV said 90 of the building's 176 units will be designated affordable under the state's guidelines and reports that developer Peter Savio says the units sold out in one weekend after attracting more than 4,000 prospective buyers.

Source: Holomua Condominium (http://www.holomuacondo.com/) & Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2011/10/construction-starts-on-affordable.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bizj_pacific+%28Pacific+Business+News+of+Honolulu%29&utm_content=Google+Reader)

Rail has role in housing
The city's transit line has potential for triggering a rise in affordable units

By Andrew Gomes

Oahu's planned mass-transit line promises relief for many commuters facing present and future traffic troubles, but the rail system also might help relieve another social ill: the lack of affordable housing.

Experts on Hawaii land use and development policies see rail as a huge opportunity to address an affordable-housing crisis that more or less has festered over the last decade despite efforts by state leaders and community organizations.

The rail line's 21 planned stations between Kapolei and Ala Moana Center?are expected to be catalysts for new urban development to which the city attaches requirements and/or incentives to build affordable housing.

With the right infrastructure, zoning and incentives, I think it?is extremely doable,?said Chuck Wathen, chief executive of Hawaii Housing Alliance, a group that advocates for affordable housing.

The estimated $5.3 billion public works project is of such a scale that with the right ideas, producing affordable work-force housing connected with rail could rival the biggest past initiatives on Hawaii's most populous island.

Earlier this year a partnership involving the city, Wathen and Kamehameha Schools was awarded a $2.4 million federal grant to explore opportunities for delivering work-force housing surrounding the 21 stations.

http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20110515_bizRAIL1.jpg
High-density housing for low-income residents is among development concepts for areas near rail stations. This rendering, which is from a draft plan for the area near the planned Pearl Highlands station, presents an idea of what such housing might look like.
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20110515_bizRAIL2.jpg
A rendering of Sumida Farms near the proposed rail station in the Pearlridge area. It shows what the area around work-force housing might look like.
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20110515_bizRAIL3.jpg
An example of the high-density housing concepts being proposed.
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20110515_bizMAPrailBIG.jpg

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/20110515_Rail_has_role_in_housing.html)

Tallest buildings over 350 ft. in Honolulu (Built, Approved or U/C)

Honolulu city
1 690 Pohukaina 650 ft *Approved (2015-2019?)
2 First Hawaiian Center 438 ft
3 Pacifica Honolulu 425 ft *To be completed November 2011
4 Moana Pacific East Tower 423 ft or 422 ft?
5 Moana Pacific West Tower 423 ft or 422 ft?
6 Hokua 416 ft or 418 ft?
7 Nauru Tower 416 ft or 418 ft?
8 Hawaiki Tower 400 ft
9 Imperial Plaza 400 ft
10 One Archer Lane 400 ft
11 One Waterfront Makai Tower 400 ft
12 One Waterfront Mauka Tower 400 ft
13 Ko'olani 400 ft
14 World Trade Center Hawaii 400 ft *Proposal
15 Ala Moana Hotel 397 ft
16 1132 Bishop Street 387 ft
17 Keola Lai 387 ft
18 The Watermark Waikiki 374 ft
19 Discovery Bay Center 351 ft
20 Hawaii Monarch Hotel 351 ft
21 Hilton Grand Waikikian 351 ft
22 The Windsor 351 ft
23 Trump International Hotel and Tower 351 ft
24 Yacht Harbor Towers 351 ft
25 Canterbury Place 350 ft
26 Century Center 350 ft
27 Endeavor Condominium [Discovery Bay] 350 ft
28 Executive Center 350 ft
29 Franklin Towers 350 ft
30 Honolulu Park Place 350 ft
31 Honolulu Tower 350 ft
32 Hyatt Regency Waikiki Diamond Head Tower [Hyatt Regency Waikiki] 350 ft
33 Hyatt Regency Waikiki Ewa Tower [Hyatt Regency Waikiki] 350 ft
34 Island Colony 350 ft
35 Ohana Maile Sky Court 350 ft
36 Pacific Monarch 350 ft
37 Pauahi Tower 350 ft
38 Regency Tower [Regency Tower] 350 ft
39 Regency Tower 2 [Regency Tower] 350 ft
40 Resolution Condominium [Discovery Bay] 350 ft
41 Royal Iolani Diamond Head Tower [Royal Iolani Condominiums] 350 ft
42 Royal Iolani Ewa Tower [Royal Iolani Condominiums] 350 ft
43 Tapa Tower [Hilton Hawaiian Village] 350 ft
44 The Aqua Waikiki Marina Towers 350 ft
45 Waikiki Banyan Makai Tower [Waikiki Banyan] 350 ft
46 Waikiki Banyan Mauka Tower [Waikiki Banyan] 350 ft
47 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 1 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
48 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 2 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
49 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 3 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
50 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 4 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
51 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 5 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
52 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 6 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
53 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 7 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal

*A Few Proposals just west of the Honolulu area.
[b]Aiea/Pearl Ridge/Pearl City
Robertson Properties Group 350 ft
Robertson Properties Group 300 ft
Robertson Properties Group 250 ft

Sources: Emporis, Honolulu Star Advertiser, DBEDT, Hawaii News Now

Urbanguy

Nov 5, 2011, 2:49 AM

Another view of the 690 Pohukaina -- unfortunately they haven't included the two other buildings proposed for the area yet. :(

Engineers ponder 650-foot Kakaako tower
Highrises always come with unique design challenges
Pacific Business News by Duane Shimogawa, Reporter
Date: Friday, November 4, 2011, 12:00am HST

Architects, engineers and contractors are still marveling over the state’s recently proposed skyscraper at 690 Pohukaina in Kakaako that, if completed as planned, will be the tallest building in Hawaii.

The 650-foot highrise will dwarf the First Hawaiian Center, which is currently the tallest building in the state, by nearly 250 feet.

A developer for the 690 Pohukaina project won’t be selected until early next year. And details such as cost, financing and square footage for the two residential towers planned as part of the project still need to be determined.

http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/print-edition/PohukainaBldg.jpg?v=1
RENDERING COURTESY: Hawaii Community Development Authority
A developer for the 690 Pohukaina project, which is shown as the tallest building in this rendering, will be selected by the end of next year.

http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20111027_650feet.jpg
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/HI_SA_20111027-2a.jpg
Images Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/viewer/?galID=132681593&photo=3)

Queen Emma Land Co. moving ahead with Waikiki redevelopment
Pacific Business News
Date: Friday, November 4, 2011, 9:49am HST

Queen Emma Land Co. is moving ahead with its plans to redevelop the International Market Place in Waikiki.

Queen Emma Land Co. and Taubman Centers .Taubman Centers Latest from The Business Journals Waikiki's International Market Place going upscaleBuyers circling luxury retail center0M Green Hills office park, hotel in limbo Follow this company ., in partnership with San Francisco-based CoastWood Capital Group, said Friday they filed an environmental impact statement preparation notice as part of the company’s next step in exploring the redevelopment of the 2.9-acre International Market Place in the center of Hawaii’s main tourism district.

Currently, plans for the revitalization of the International Market Place call for an approximately 355,000-square-foot, three-level, open-air retail center, which will be designed to incorporate historical, cultural and educational features and opportunities, the land company said in a statement.

“Though we are still in the preliminary phases of determining the feasibility of redeveloping this iconic destination, we are excited to continue to move forward with this project,” said Stephen J. Kieras, senior vice president of development for Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman, in a statement.

The International Market Place sits on land owned and managed by Queen Emma Land Co., the real-estate arm of The Queen's Health Systems .The Queen's Health Systems Latest from The Business Journals Waikiki's International Market Place going upscaleQuality, not quantity, of health careQueen's Health Systems, Hawaii Medical Service Association agree to rate plan Follow this company .that also includes The Queen’s Medical Center, the state’s largest private nonprofit hospital, and Molokai General Hospital.

http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/InternationalMarketPlace_FC.jpg?v=1
Courtesy 505 Design
A draft rendering for Queen Emma Land Co.'s International Market Place in Waikiki shows the plans for a three-level, open air retail center.

Waikiki's International Market Place going upscale
Pacific Business News by Linda Chiem, Reporter
Date: Friday, November 4, 2011, 3:41pm HST - Last Modified: Friday, November 4, 2011, 3:57pm HST

Queen Emma Land Co.’s preliminary plans for the redevelopment of the International Market Place is estimated to cost between $250 million and $300 million, marking what will be a major capital infusion into the iconic shopping mecca that sits in the heart of Hawaii’s main tourist hub.

If all goes according to plan for the land company and its development partners, Taubman Centers .Taubman Centers Latest from The Business Journals Queen Emma Land Co. moving ahead with Waikiki redevelopmentBuyers circling luxury retail center0M Green Hills office park, hotel in limbo Follow this company ., which is based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and CoastWood Capital Group out of San Francisco, construction could start as early as 2013, Queen’s spokesman Cedric Yamanaka told PBN.

He made clear that the land company’s filing of an environmental impact statement preparation notice on Friday for the redevelopment is just the next step toward determining the feasibility of the project. It’s still early and elements of the plan, including cost and the construction timeline, are subject to change, he said.

But, if it all comes to fruition, it would restart long stalled plans for the revitalization of the 53-year-old marketplace.

Queen Emma Land Co., the real estate arm of The Queen's Health Systems. The Queen's Health Systems Latest from The Business Journals Queen Emma Land Co. moving ahead with Waikiki redevelopment. Quality, not quantity, of health careQueen's Health Systems, Hawaii Medical Service Association agree to rate plan Follow this company, has twice announced plans to redevelop the marketplace in the last decade — most recently in 2008 and before that in 2003.

Urbanguy

Nov 15, 2011, 2:09 AM

Smaller not-so-special projects.....

Construction to begin on The Cove Waikiki condo project
Pacific Business News
Date: Monday, November 14, 2011, 1:04pm HST
http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/CoveWaikikiDriveway.jpg?v=1
http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/CoveWaikikiPool.jpg?v=1

A mid-rise Waikiki condominium project that has been in the planning stages for more than three years is scheduled to start construction in March 2012.

The Cove Waikiki will be built on a 1.6-acre L-shaped parcel of land on Kaioo Drive off Hobron Lane. It will feature 117 one- and two-bedroom units in three five-story buildings, the developer, Waikiki Palms LP, said in a statement.

Waikiki Palms LP is an affiliate of Form Partners LLC, whose managing partner, Chris Deuchar, also developed The Vanguard Lofts in Honolulu. Form Partners also is serving as a development consultant for Robertson Properties Group’s redevelopment of the Kamehameha Drive-In property in Aiea.

Richard Matsunaga & Associates .Richard Matsunaga & Associates Latest from The Business Journals PBN announces Fastest 50 winnersIf can, can -- for Foodbank Follow this company .is the architect on The Cove Waikiki project, while Philpotts & Associates is the designer. Ledcor Construction .Ledcor Construction Latest from The Business Journals West Seattle Fauntleroy Place dispute heats upLedcor: Fauntleroy Place deed a 'charade'Judge calls off auction of pit in West Seattle Follow this company .LLC is the general contractor. First Hawaiian Bank .First Hawaiian Bank Latest from The Business Journals Local firms give M to APEC effortBank of America decides not to charge for debit card useAUW takes first small steps in defining what its future will be Follow this company .is financing the project, according to Form Partners’ website.

The project is scheduled for completion in late 2013. The sales office opens on Saturday and prices will start at $350,000. Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties is the broker on the project.

Location Image from formpartners.com
http://www.formpartners.com/images/projects/2/l/08.jpg
http://www.formpartners.com/images/projects/2/l/09.jpg

Sources: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/11/14/construction-to-begin-on-the-cove.html) & FormPartners.com (http://www.formpartners.com/project.php?id=2)

Skyline Honolulu - 2007/2008 Proposal? Not sure of current status but formpartners.com has the project listed as "In progress" & construction to begin in 2011?

95+ unit, 4-story urban mid-rise building, comprised of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, featuring a pool, recreation room, roof top decks, a community roof top deck, recreational area, and underground parking. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2011 and total project sales are expected to exceed $80 million.

http://www.formpartners.com/images/projects/5/l/01.jpg
http://www.formpartners.com/images/projects/5/l/02.jpg
http://www.formpartners.com/images/projects/5/l/05.jpg

Source: FormPartners.com (http://www.formpartners.com/project.php?id=5)

Transforming the Queen Emma building from

http://www.honolulumagazine.com/images/2011/Nov11/christianImages/historicplaces8.jpg

To this condo...
http://www.honolulumagazine.com/images/2011/Nov11/christianImages/historicplaces9.jpg

Source: Honolulu Magazine (http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/November-2011/Hawaiis-Most-Endangered-Historic-Places/index.php?cparticle=6&siarticle=5#artanc)

Urbanguy

Nov 23, 2011, 5:01 AM

The proposed Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum in Kaka’ako Makai, Honolulu. The last I read -- it was narrowed down to Honolulu & Chicago & my gut feeling tells me that Chicago will probably get it. ;) Anyhow, I like the first rendering of it for the one in Honolulu.

http://www.ourhonolulu.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/updateimage/images/community/makaiplans.jpg
Source: OurHonolulu.org (http://www.ourhonolulu.org/community/update/21) posted on February 16th, 2011 by Tulsi Gabbard

Urbanguy

Nov 30, 2011, 11:21 PM

Yay! Another project on the way. :)

New Kakaako Condo Announced, Unveiled
43-story Tower On Waimanu St. Between Ala Moana, Ward Centers

Location:
http://www.kitv.com/2011/1130/29891107_640X466.jpg
Source: KITV.com (http://www.kitv.com/r/29891151/detail.html)

http://mauinow.com/files/2011/11/waihonua-03.png
Waihonua at Kewalo - Kewalo Development. Architectural consultant, Pappageorge Haymes of Chicago, worked to create a design inspired by the history of the Kewalo area as well as the ocean, mountain and city views. Image courtesy A&B Properties.

http://mauinow.com/files/2011/11/waihonua-02.png
Waihonua at Kewalo, photo courtesy A&B Properties.

HONOLULU -- Kewalo Development, a subsidiary of Alexander and Baldwin Properties, unveiled a new residential condominium project Wednesday, Waihonua at Kewalo.

The planned 43-story tower, situated on Waimanu Street between Ala Moana Shopping Center and the Ward Centers, will be the final high-rise condominium in Honolulu’s premiere residential high-rise neighborhood.

The proximity to shopping, dining, recreation, transportation, and a complete array of services makes Waihonua an excellent choice for urban living.

Since acquiring the property in mid-2010, Kewalo Development has worked with Hawaii-based architects Design Partners, Inc., and its architectural consultant, Pappageorge Haymes of Chicago, to create a design for the tower.

Amenities at Waihonua at Kewalo will include a fitness center, recreation deck including pool, spa and cabanas with barbeques, and a private movie theatre.

"Waihonua at Kewalo will offer a sophisticated urban lifestyle to a broad spectrum of buyers in today’s market place," said A&B Land Group President Christopher J. Benjamin. "The location, great amenities and interior design features will make this a tremendous opportunity for buyers."

Waihonua at Kewalo will consist of 345 one to three bedroom residences, and will offer seven penthouse residences on the 43rd floor.

The planned opening of the sales gallery in December will allow interested buyers to purchase a unit in Waihonua.

Fee-simple prices will begin at $400,000 for one bedroom/one bath, $565,000 for two bedroom/two bath, and $720,000 for threebedroom/two bath residences.

Source: KITV.com (http://www.kitv.com/r/29891151/detail.html) & MauiNow.com (http://mauinow.com/2011/11/30/ab-plans-new-high-rise-condo-near-ala-moana/#more-47780)

Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2012 & completed about 2 years later. I'm guessing the building height will be in the 400 ft. range like the others around it.

Urbanguy

Dec 1, 2011, 1:20 AM

Senior housing planned for Iwilei
Pacific Housing to build 160 affordable units at cost of $66.9 million
Date: Friday, July 1, 2011, 12:00am HST

http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/print-edition/NimitzRENDERING.jpg?v=1
The architect’s rendering of Senior Residence at Iwilei shows a 15-story building.

http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/print-edition/NimitzLot_WIDE.jpg?v=1
Pacific Housing Assistance Corp. is planning to break ground at this site next March for the Senior Residence at Iwilei. Its urban Honolulu location — the site of the former Oahu Railway & Land Co. depot — is expected to be one of its draws.

An affordable senior housing project with an estimated price tag of $66.9 million is going to be built on Iwilei Road at the long-vacant site of the former Oahu Railway & Land Co. depot. The planned 15-story, 160-unit Senior Residence at Iwilei, at 888 Iwilei Road, is being developed by the nonprofit Pacific Housing Assistance Corp. on 1.5 acres of state-owned land leased from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp.
After working for years to secure public and private financing — efforts that were crippled during the recent recession — the project’s developers now expect to start construction in March 2012. Estimated time frame for completion is 2014.

Source: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/print-edition/2011/07/01/senior-housing-planned-for-iwilei.html?page=2)

llamaorama

Dec 1, 2011, 3:17 AM

Awesome, any new high rise development is exciting. Seems every tall building built in Honolulu looks kind of the same though. Hopefully whatever goes up on that site in Kakaako with the 650' tower breaks the architectural mold.

That building remodel looks really good though.

Urbanguy

Dec 1, 2011, 5:48 AM

I agree. Glass facades seems to be the in-thing at the moment. However, I am glad that they aren't building as many uglies as they did back in the 70s & 80s! I'd imagine that the 650 ft. tower will probably go through a design change once or twice before all is said and done but it's actually decent looking IMO. Also, if the height limit is officially raised in the Transit-Oriented Development area -- it may give the developers of the 9 or more proposed for the area an incentive to build something bold & unique. *Fingers crossed* :D

Urbanguy

Dec 15, 2011, 1:48 AM

New Retail Coming to Ewa Plain (a Honolulu suburb)
http://www.buildingindustryhawaii.com/_images/nb1211_ewa.gif

Property Development Centers (PDC) held a blessing and groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 3 for its Laulani Village Shopping Center retail project in Ewa.
Located on the corner of Fort Weaver Road and Keaunui Drive, across from the Hawaii Prince Golf Club, the 20-acre project will include more than 218,000 square feet of retail space anchored by a 60,000-square-foot Safeway store and nearly 1,000 parking stalls. When fully built, it is anticipated to create 500 jobs.
We're excited to break ground on the Laulani Village Shopping Center … and begin work on this project, said David Zylstra, chief operating officer of Property Development Centers, at the groundbreaking ceremony. "This retail development will provide the Ewa community with an increase in jobs and a close, centralized option for their retail needs."
A total of 70 retailers and service providers, including home improvement, hardware, apparel, lifestyle and restaurants are expected to occupy the shopping center. A two-story office building will provide additional space for doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants and other professionals.
A new traffic signal and private driveway surrounding the site will provide an alternate means of entry and exit.
Being performed by Pankow, construction is expected to take 12 months. Oregon-based Benner Stange Associates is the architect.
A wholly owned subsidiary of Safeway, Inc., PDC is a national shopping center development company developing centers for and with Safeway as one of the major anchor tenants.

http://www.cbre.com/NR/rdonlyres/12DF2F83-4419-4E6B-84DD-A86682545E86/642514/Rend500.jpg
http://www.cbre.com/NR/rdonlyres/12DF2F83-4419-4E6B-84DD-A86682545E86/642520/laulani_site500.jpg

Source: Building Industry Hawaii (http://www.buildingindustryhawaii.com/news.html) & CBRE.com (http://www.cbre.com/USA/US/HI/Honolulu/property/Laulani.htm?pageid=3)

State files Environmental Impact Statement preparation notice for shipyard project - Kapalama

The State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT), Harbors Division proposes to redevelop the Kapalama Military Reservation (KMR) property at Honolulu Harbor. Formerly owned by the U.S. government, the land was acquired by the State in the early 1990s for future harbor expansion. A new container terminal is proposed to handle current and projected cargo volumes.

Proposed Action and Alternatives
DOT Harbors Division, in partnership with the Hawaii Harbors User Group, has developed a system-wide harbor modernization plan. The plan will implement harbor infrastructure improvements to address projected increases in ocean transportation of cargo and passengers through the year 2030. Plans for Honolulu Harbor call for the development of a new 70-acre container yard and construction of a deep draft wharf with berthing capacity to accommodate two container ships.

An EIS will be prepared in accordance with Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to assess impacts of several development alternatives and the no action alternative. This website provides information to the public about the EIS, including the EIS planning process, public meeting schedule, links to planning documents, and a contact form to provide input on the proposed action.

http://www.kapalamaeis.com/wp-content/themes/ocean-mist-2_0/images/kapalama.jpg
http://kapalamaeis.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/location_map.jpg
Source: KapalamaEIS.com (http://www.kapalamaeis.com/about/)

Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) in Waipahu for the Rail System.
http://www.honolulutransit.org/media/45780/20111025-maintenance-and-storage-facility-rendering-2.jpg
The MSF site will provide enough room to store and maintain up to 100 rail vehicles and will include four major structures: a train system control center; a maintenance building for track inspection and repairs; a train vehicle wash facility; and a train wheel repair center.

The facility will be environmentally-friendly and meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification. Some sustainable features may include, but are not limited to: photovoltaic panels on facility roofs to generate electricity; natural lighting and ventilation in buildings; recycled construction materials used whenever possible; and water-efficient landscaping.

Source: Honolulu Transit (http://www.honolulutransit.org/billboards/20111025-maintenance-and-storage-facility-rendering.aspx)

DeBartolo’s $400M West Oahu shopping mall gets final OK
Pacific Business News
Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 2:02pm HST - Last Modified: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 3:07pm HST
http://www.buildingindustryhawaii.com/0410/images/developers.gif
Image Source: Building Industry Hawaii (http://www.buildingindustryhawaii.com/0410/features0410_developers.html)

The Hawaiian Homes Commission has approved the final environmental assessment for DeBartolo Development's plan to build a 1.4-million-square-foot regional shopping mall on 67.7 acres of leased Hawaiian Homes land in East Kapolei.

The commission’s approval will allow the construction of the first phase of the Ka Makana Alii project to move forward, Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Albert “Alapaki” Nahalea said in a statement.

The first phase, a neighborhood center with a grocery store and drugstore, encompasses 19.72 acres on the western portion of the property and will include a total of 200,681 square feet of building area. The second phase, which is scheduled to start before the end of the first phase, will have more than 1.1 million square feet.

Construction is estimated to cost a total of $400 million and create an estimated 21,000 jobs, the Hawaiian Homes Commission said in a statement. The shopping mall, when completed, will create an estimated 7,000 additional jobs.

The mall also will include a major department store, entertainment complex, retail stores, restaurants, two hotels and office space.

Tampa, Fla.-based DeBartolo will announce tenants “in the upcoming months,” President and Chief Operating Officer Edward Kobel said in a statement.

Source: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/12/14/debartolos-400m-west-oahu-shopping.html)

For more information & renderings of this large project please go here -> Ka Makana Alii.com (http://www.kamakanaalii.com/downloads/Brochure.pdf)
*Proposal includes office tower(s), business hotels, etc.

Urbanguy

Dec 20, 2011, 12:26 AM

Tallest buildings over 350 ft. in Honolulu (Built, Approved or U/C)

Honolulu city
1 690 Pohukaina: 650 ft *Approved (2015-2019?)
2 First Hawaiian Center: 438 ft
3 Waihonua at Kewalo: 426.1 ft *Approved late 2012-2014
4 Pacifica Honolulu: 425 ft
5 Moana Pacific East Tower: 423 ft or 422 ft?
6 Moana Pacific West Tower: 423 ft or 422 ft?
7 Hokua: 416 ft or 418 ft?
8 Nauru Tower: 416 ft or 418 ft?
9 Hawaiki Tower: 400 ft
10 Imperial Plaza: 400 ft
11 One Archer Lane: 400 ft
12 One Waterfront Makai Tower: 400 ft
13 One Waterfront Mauka Tower: 400 ft
14 Ko'olani: 400 ft
15 World Trade Center Hawaii: 400 ft *Proposal
16 Ala Moana Hotel: 397 ft
17 1132 Bishop Street: 387 ft
18 Keola Lai: 387 ft
19 The Watermark Waikiki: 374 ft
20 Discovery Bay Center: 351 ft
21 Hawaii Monarch Hotel: 351 ft
22 Hilton Grand Waikikian: 351 ft
23 The Windsor: 351 ft
24 Trump International Hotel and Tower: 351 ft
25 Yacht Harbor Towers: 351 ft
26 Canterbury Place: 350 ft
27 Century Center: 350 ft
28 Endeavor Condominium [Discovery Bay]: 350 ft
29 Executive Center: 350 ft
30 Franklin Towers: 350 ft
31 Honolulu Park Place: 350 ft
32 Honolulu Tower: 350 ft
33 Hyatt Regency Waikiki Diamond Head Tower [Hyatt Regency Waikiki]: 350 ft
34 Hyatt Regency Waikiki Ewa Tower [Hyatt Regency Waikiki]: 350 ft
35 Island Colony: 350 ft
36 Ohana Maile Sky Court: 350 ft
37 Pacific Monarch: 350 ft
38 Pauahi Tower : 350 ft
39 Regency Tower [Regency Tower]: 350 ft
40 Regency Tower 2 [Regency Tower]: 350 ft
41 Resolution Condominium [Discovery Bay]: 350 ft
42 Royal Iolani Diamond Head Tower [Royal Iolani Condominiums]: 350 ft
43 Royal Iolani Ewa Tower [Royal Iolani Condominiums]: 350 ft
44 Tapa Tower [Hilton Hawaiian Village]: 350 ft
45 The Aqua Waikiki Marina Towers: 350 ft
46 Waikiki Banyan Makai Tower [Waikiki Banyan]: 350 ft
47 Waikiki Banyan Mauka Tower [Waikiki Banyan]: 350 ft
48 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 1: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
49 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 2: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
50 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 3: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
51 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 4: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
52 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 5: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
53 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 6: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
54 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 7: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
*A Few Proposals just west of the Honolulu area.
[b]Aiea/Pearl Ridge/Pearl City
Robertson Properties Group: 350 ft
Robertson Properties Group: 300 ft
Robertson Properties Group: 250 ft

Sources: Emporis, Honolulu Star Advertiser, DBEDT, Hawaii News Now, Waihonua at Kewalo

Other news:

Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning does pipeline survey
Pacific Business News
Date: Monday, December 19, 2011, 11:43am HST

http://honoluluswac.com/_assets/_images/bullet-insidelook.jpg
http://honoluluswac.com/_assets/_images/rendering-nmbrs.jpg

Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning signs lease for pumping station site Seawater A/C project pipeline survey that moves its $250 million project forward.

The survey was done to confirm the location of existing pipes in the downtown and Kakaako area using ground-penetrating radar technology to avoid overlap when a new network of pipes to distribute chilled fresh water is installed. The survey confirmed the location of 17 existing pipes based on drawings from the city’s Department of Permitting and Planning, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Telecom & AT&T.

The chilled water initially will be drawn from about 5 miles off Oahu’s southern coast into a cooling station on Ala Moana Boulevard. After passing through a heat exchanger, it will be dispensed as fresh water through the network of distribution pipes.

Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning recently signed a 55-year agreement to lease an approximate 30,000-square-foot parcel behind the Gold Bond Building in Kakaako to build and operate its pumping station and exchange facility.

Construction is expected to start early next year, and the company estimates it will begin providing seawater air-conditioning to customers in 2013.

Distribution Map
http://honoluluswac.com/_assets/_images/dist-map.gif

Source: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/12/19/honolulu-seawater-air-conditioning.html) & Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning (http://honoluluswac.com/)

Urbanguy

Jan 6, 2012, 3:28 AM

**This is a small project but the first of Kamehameha’s 15-year master plan.

Kamehameha Schools fills workforce housing void with construction of Kaka‘ako rental units
Thursday, January 05 2012 @ 10:30 AM HST | Contributed by: Thomas Yoshida

http://www.ksbe.edu/images/articles/20120105094945122_2.jpg

KAKA'AKO - Kamehameha Schools is answering demand for workforce rental housing in urban Honolulu with the start of construction today on 54 studio and 1-bedroom loft apartments at 680 Ala Moana Boulevard in Kaka‘ako. The units will all be priced affordably for median-income workers.

The building will also include 8,600 square feet of commercial space.

“We are incredibly proud of this project,” said Kamehameha Schools’ Director of Development Paul Kay. “680 Ala Moana exemplifies the kind of neighborhood we want Kaka‘ako to be. It will be vibrant and innovative with a uniquely local feel. It will be part of a neighborhood that everyone will be comfortable in.”

680 Ala Moana was formerly an office building. Its concrete exterior is being adapted and reused. Kamehameha Schools’ master plan for Kaka‘ako, which was approved by the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority in 2009, calls for a mix of housing types, including lofts, urban townhomes, work-live units, as well as high-rise condo units.

680 Ala Moana is the first project in Kamehameha’s 15-year master plan. Kamehameha has also announced construction of a 60,000-square foot retail center located directly behind 680 Ala Moana.

Construction is expected to be complete by Fall 2012.

Source: KSBE.edu (http://www.ksbe.edu/article.php?story=20120105094945122)

Honolulu’s First Urban Rooftop Farm is Installed on Kaka‘ako Rooftop

FarmRoof® today began installation of a 38,000 square foot, USDA certified organic farm on the roof of Auto Mart USA at 604 Ala Moana Boulevard. The farm is the first urban rooftop farm in Hawai‘i and FarmRoof’s largest.

The rooftop farm will supply the community, retailers and chefs with an assortment of delicious, healthy, and nutrient-dense crops such as heirloom kale, arugula and mustard greens. FarmRoof’s proprietary ultra lightweight soil is infused with more than 70 minerals, trace elements, micro-nutrients, and billions of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs), making for a nutritional value much higher than a typical salad.

The farm will also save energy. Because rooftop farms absorb solar radiation and insulate and cool the host building, Auto Mart USA will realize 20 percent energy savings from air conditioning. Other benefits of FarmRoof organic rooftop farming include: stormwater runoff reduction, reduction in the use of fuel to transport food, increased biodiversity, a boost to the local food economy, better environmental stewardship and a more beautiful urban landscape.

Kamehameha is redeveloping 29 acres in Kaka‘ako into an urban neighborhood. In addition to residential and commercial spaces, Kaka‘ako will be a walkable community with a vibrant street scene and unique restaurants and shops.

Based in Waimanalo on the island of O‘ahu, FarmRoof was founded by Alan Joaquin in 2008 and is the world’s first and only USDA certified organic green roof system. FarmRoof utilizes a patented, scalable rooftop agriculture system to design, install and operate rooftop farms throughout the United States and beyond. For information visit www.farmroof.com.

http://www.ksbe.edu/images/articles/20120105094518906_3.jpg

Source: KSBE.edu (http://www.ksbe.edu/article.php?story=20120105094945122)

The Auto Mart USA garden is almost as large as a football field, which is 57,600 square feet.
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/05-a1-Farmroof-kakaako-pic-A.jpg

This is Alan showing an unrooled nutrient rich water permeable tube (that the seeds are planted in) that was unrolled over an aeration core.
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/1507046.jpg

http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20120105_roof.jpg

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/newspremium/20120105__Raised_on_the_roof.html?id=136723268)

Urbanguy

Jan 18, 2012, 1:16 AM

Kakaako retail/residential high-rise project moves forward
Pacific Business News by Duane Shimogawa, Reporter
Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 2:58pm HST

The Hawaii Community Development Authority is moving ahead on a long-stalled retail and residential high rise planned for the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Ward Avenue.

Once known as Symphony Park, the 40-story project’s plans call for the first four or five floors of the Kakaako high rise to include showrooms and a service center for Joe Nicolai’s exotic car dealerships.

Deepak Neupane, the HCDA’s director of planning and development, told PBN Tuesday that San Diego-based developer OliverMcMillan has filed an application with the HCDA to develop the 400-unit property.

Public hearings are scheduled for late February and construction could begin early next year.

“It’s certainly another sign that the economy is starting to pick up a little bit,” Neupane said.

The proposed high rise/auto showroom would be near other luxury-car dealerships: Lexus, BMW and Mercedes Benz.

http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/print-edition/NewDevelpmtMAP.jpg?v=1

Source: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/)

()_T

Jan 29, 2012, 12:58 AM

http://handelarch.com/images/projects/location/honolulu/princess-kaiulani/2.jpg

Handel Architects has been invited to work collaboratively with WCIT Architecture on a new 1.4 million SF multi-building project in Honolulu. The Princess Ka'iulani Development is a hotel, residential, and retail development located at the corner of Kalakaua and Ka'iulani Avenues. The project includes a new 35-story condo-hotel, called the Pikake Tower, and the renovation of the existing 28-story Ainahau Hotel Tower. A new four story podium contains 80,000 SF of retail on two levels, amenity space, and a pooldeck. A 954-car parking garage has an additional pooldeck, as well as a restaurant and ballroom on top.

The new Pikake Tower includes 300 hotel rooms on 12 floors and 152 condominium units on 20 floors. The renovated Ainahau Tower contains 660 hotel rooms.

Drop-off for both buildings is at an elevated drive court between the two towers and is accessed with a driveway from Ka'iulani Avenue. A grand stair provides a pedestrian connection up from Kalakaua Avenue to the drive court.

http://handelarch.com/images/projects/location/honolulu/princess-kaiulani/1.jpg

http://handelarch.com/images/projects/location/honolulu/princess-kaiulani/3.jpg

http://handelarch.com/images/projects/location/honolulu/princess-kaiulani/4.jpg

Link (http://handelarch.com/projects/type/mixed-use/princess-kaiulani-type.html)

Urbanguy

Feb 7, 2012, 1:59 AM

^Thanks a lot for the post!

More updates & a new proposal:

A&B reaches deal to allow purchase of former CompUSA site
Pacific Business News
Date: Friday, February 3, 2012, 11:59am HST - Last Modified: Friday, February 3, 2012, 3:26pm HST

A&B Properties Inc. has reached an agreement to purchase the former CompUsa property in Honolulu from Kamehameha Schools and has plans to develop a residential high-rise condominium tower on the site.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed

The property, which is bordered by Ala Moana Boulevard, South and Keawe streets, is part of Kamehameha Schools' master plan to redevelop its 29-acre Kakaako mauka properties and is adjacent to a planned 60,000-square-foot retail and restaurant redevelopment.

http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/CompUSA_Kakaako.jpg?v=1 *The location is right next to the Two Waterfront Towers near Honolulu Harbor. There are no renderings at this time.

Source: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2012/02/03/ab-to-buy-former-compusa-site-from.html)

Mixed-use towers planned for old Honolulu Advertiser site
Former News Building would stay, according to preliminary plans
Pacific Business News by Linda Chiem, Reporter
Date: Friday, February 3, 2012, 1:00am HST

http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/print-edition/Old%20Advertiser%20Bldg%20site%20map.jpg?v=1

The former Honolulu Advertiser property on Kapiolani Boulevard may be redeveloped into a two-tower commercial and residential complex, but the historic dark-green stucco building that was home to Honolulu’s longest-running daily newspaper for more than 80 years will be retained, according to draft development applications filed with city and state planning agencies.

California-based developer Franco Mola, founder of Coastal Rim Properties, has lined up Honolulu architect Fabrizio Medosi, president of the design firm Pacific Atelier, for the potential redevelopment.

Source: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/print-edition/2012/02/03/mixed-use-towers-planned-for-old.html)

Urbanguy

Feb 8, 2012, 3:05 AM

FTA: Honolulu may spend $185M on rail project
Pacific Business News
Date: Monday, February 6, 2012, 2:36pm HST
http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/07-A1-rail-pixc.jpg
Image Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?action=login&f=y&id=138835339)

Honolulu received assurance Monday from the Federal Transit Administration Federal Transit Administration Latest from The Business Journals Hughes: Light rail funding threatenedState prepares for rest of SunRailVHB lands contract for Lynx 192 study Follow this company that it may spend $184.7 million to start heavy construction for its $5.1 billion rail transit project ahead of final approval for an anticipated $1.55 billion in federal funding.

The assurance was contained in a “Letter of No Prejudice” from the FTA delivered to the City and County, according to a statement from Hawaii’s congressional delegation.

The letter will allow the city to begin construction on the foundation and pillars for the concrete elevated railway on the West Oahu-Farrington Highway and Kamehameha Highway segments of the route, Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka and Reps. Colleen Hanabusa and Mazie Hirono said in a joint statement.

Toru Hamayasu, interim executive director and CEO of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation Latest from The Business Journals Honolulu mayor to use 0M credit line for rail transit projectChange orders boost Kiewit's Honolulu rail contract to 2MAnother rail contractor to increase staff in Honolulu Follow this company , said in the statement that the city appreciates the “FTA’s willingness in working collaboratively with us to keep this project moving forward. This means we will begin advanced construction of the foundation and pillars for the guideway along the first half of the rail alignment, and move forward on work on our maintenance and storage facility,” he said.

In December, the FTA told Honolulu officials that the city needed to beef up its financial plan for constructing and operating the system.

Source: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2012/02/06/fta-honolulu-may-spend-185m-on-rail.html)

Robertson Properties submits draft EIS for Aiea project
Pacific Business News
Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 1:58pm HST

http://assets.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/KamDrive_InMainStreet_Story.jpg?v=1

Robertson Properties Group said Tuesday that it has submitted a draft environmental impact statement for its $767 million mixed-use development on the site of the former Kamehameha Drive-in property in Aiea.

Roberston Properties proposes to rezone the 14-acre property across from Pearlridge Center Pearlridge Center Latest from The Business Journals Price Busters closing Pearlridge store, moving to smaller spaceHawaii shopping malls see post-Christmas crowdsEx-Hawaii resident returns home as visiting scholar Follow this company for a complex that will include as many as 1,500 multifamily homes, about 143,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, up to 80,000 square feet of office space and a possible 150-room hotel.

The Los Angeles-based real estate developer last fall scaled back its original plans, which had called for three towers and a total of 1,800 homes, to include one tower surrounded by four shorter buildings.

The project is projected to take 13 years to build out, create about 980 jobs and have a base economic impact of about $2.4 billion.

Public comments will be accepted on the draft EIS through March 23.

“It has been very rewarding to work with the community as we developed the draft EIS,” John Manavian, executive vice president of real estate, design & development for Robertson Properties Group, said in a statement. “And we will continue to take their voice into consideration during the public comment period on the Draft EIS and throughout the rezoning process.”

Source: Pacific Business News (http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2012/02/07/robertson-properties-submits-draft-eis.html)

Urbanguy

Feb 10, 2012, 12:42 AM

Update time!

Developer publishes details of its plans for old Kam Drive-In site
http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/20120209_kam.jpg

By Andrew Gomes
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 09, 2012

Robertson Properties Group is proposing five towers 150 to 350 feet high containing 1,500 residential units, along with 143,000 square feet of retail anchored by a grocery store and 80,000 square feet of office space or a 150-room hotel.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?action=login&f=y&id=138994729)

The nearly $750 million build-out would take about 13 years.

**The renderings of the buildings look ugly. I hope that they consider changing them before they start to build! :(

A thoughtful planning approach to a mixed-use neighborhood where retail shops and markets, a walk-to-work office community, residential living and public open space and gathering areas create an “Urban Village” where people will be able to live, work and play.
http://www.liveworkplayaiea.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/live-work-play-aiea-rendering-3.jpg

Source: Live Work Play Aiea (http://www.liveworkplayaiea.com/team/)

Urbanguy

Feb 27, 2012, 2:18 AM

The coming condo boom?
The promise of an improved economy is driving plans for six — maybe seven — new residential towers
http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/2-26-buildings.jpg

By Andrew Gomes

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 26, 2012

UP AND COMING

As many as seven residential towers on six sites have been unveiled or are in the works within Honolulu’s urban core, which was ground zero for high-rise condo development during the last market boom in the early 2000s.

IN THE PACK

>> Location: 605 Kapiolani Blvd.
>> Status: Developer Franco Mola has an option to buy the property and is exploring plans for two condo towers on the site of the former Honolulu Advertiser, but has not filed an application with the state authority governing high-rise development in the area.

EARLY STARTER

>> Location: 1189 Waimanu St.
>> Status: Alexander & Baldwin Inc. launched sales efforts in December. The 340-unit tower called Waihonua could break ground later this year on the undeveloped site between existing Hawaiki and Koolani towers.
COMING SOON

>> Location: 1555 Kapiolani Blvd.
>> Status: Local developers MacNaughton Group and Kobayashi Group are working with a Texas company that owns the rights to build a 210-unit condo tower on top of the Nordstrom parking garage at Ala Moana Center. Sales efforts are slated to begin before the holiday season.

CLOSE SECOND

>> Location: 850 Kapiolani Blvd.
>> Status: San Diego development firm OliverMcMillan and local landowner Joe Nicolai submitted a permit application recently for a 400-unit tower called Symphony on this undeveloped site Ewa of Blaisdell Center. Construction could begin by the end of the year.

JUST PURCHASED

>> Location: 2121 Kuhio Ave.
>> Status: A California development firm recently bought this parcel. The site is on the Diamond Head-makai corner of Kuhio Avenue and Kalaimoku Street.

LINED UP

>> Location: 604 Ala Moana Blvd.
>> Status: Alexander & Baldwin Inc. has an option to buy this site formerly occupied by CompUSA. The company envisions building a tower here after it finishes another one on Waimanu Street slated to break ground by the end of this year.

There’s a vibe in the local development community that Hawaii’s next real estate boom could be right around the corner.

If that’s correct, right about now would be the time to start announcing condominium tower projects that take a couple years to build.

Some industry observers question the breadth and depth of the next market expansion, and expect only a few of the projects being lined up now will come out of the ground.

“I think there’s a market as the recovery unfolds … but it’s not going to be like the last (boom) cycle,” said local real estate market analyst Ricky Cassiday. “You won’t get the right conditions again.”

If the window for developing the next crop of Honolulu condo towers is relatively small, it becomes crucial to be among an initial few to hit the market. This pressure could be driving present activity of developers jostling to get a jump on the market and pull off the high-risk endeavor of high-rise development.

“It does look like everybody’s jamming — trying to get through the door at one time,” Cassiday said.

The early starter is a 340-unit tower in Kakaako called Waihonua announced by local development firm Alexander & Baldwin Inc. in November. A&B began accepting nonbinding reservations from prospective buyers in December, and has collected about 190 such expressions of interest for units priced between $375,000 and $1.9 million.

“We’re encouraged by the positive response we’re seeing,” Chris Benjamin, head of A&B’s real estate division, said in a conference call with stock market analysts earlier this month.

Construction on Waihonua should start later this year if a “satisfactory” number of binding sales contracts are signed, A&B said. Converting reservations to contracts is scheduled to start next month, and will provide a better idea of buyer demand, given that some people don’t convert reservations to contracts with nonrefundable deposits.

Close behind Waihonua is a project called Symphony, also in Kakaako just Ewa of Neal Blaisdell Center. This project’s developer, a partnership between San Diego firm OliverMcMillan and local landowner and car dealer Joe Nicolai of JN Automotive, filed an application recently seeking state approval for the 400-unit luxury tower.

If Symphony is OK’d, sales could begin in late summer, followed by construction before the end of the year if there is enough interest from buyers, according to Dan Nishikawa, OliverMcMillan’s development director.

A third project that hasn’t previously announced a timetable is a 210-unit tower on top of the Nordstrom parking garage at Ala Moana Center. Jeff Arce, a principal with local development firm The MacNaughton Group co-developing the tower, said sales efforts are being readied for a launch before Thanksgiving.

Construction for this tower likely would get under way after Waihonua or Symphony, but completion would be accelerated because the tower’s foundation and parking structure already exist.

Arce said his firm, along with local co-developer Kobayashi Group and Texas-based Howard Hughes Corp., which owns the rights to build the tower, don’t see market timing and other projects as factors affecting the Nordstrom tower.

“Just like Waikiki, I think Ala Moana Center is a unique market that can be driven in any cycle,” he said. “All of us are optimistic that it will be well received.”

The Nordstrom tower, which doesn’t have a name yet, is being positioned as ultraluxury with prices largely around or above $1 million.

Symphony and Waihonua also focus on the luxury market. The three together, if built, would deliver 950 units. But more are in the works.

Four other towers are being considered, though they are more tentative. Of these, two towers are envisioned on the former Honolulu Advertiser property in Kakaako. Developer Franco Mola of Coastal Rim Properties has an option to buy the site, and has had discussions with the Hawaii Community Development Authority about putting up two towers. However, Coastal Rim hasn’t filed an application with the agency, which authorizes high-rise construction in Kakaako.

Another possible addition could come from a firm led by California developer Jason Grosfeld that recently bought a Waikiki site zoned for high-rise condo development. An earlier plan by a previous owner contemplated a condo, hotel or time share. Grosfeld said options are being studied.

Also lined up is a tower at the corner of South Street and Ala Moana Boulevard once occupied by CompUSA. A&B recently obtained an option to buy the site intending to build a tower after finishing Waihonua.

Cassiday said there clearly isn’t enough demand for seven towers, and that all these developers won’t go forward in the near term and compete with each other unless demand surges.

The Honolulu condo tower development boom in the early 2000s — an event that produced about a dozen towers between downtown and Waikiki — was preceeded by four years of robust growth in home resales.

From 1997 to 2000, Oahu home resales rose between 10 percent and 24 percent per year, with condo resale volume growth hitting 25 percent in two of those years, according to Honolulu Board of Realtors statistics.

Condo resales last year rose 1 percent. A 12 percent gain in 2010 followed a 12 percent drop in 2009.

Clearly, A&B sees something encouraging in current market dynamics to start first with a new tower. In the previous development wave, A&B also started early, announcing a tower in Waikiki called Lanikea in 2001. One other project, 215 N. King by local affordable housing developer Marshall Hung, had similar timing.

A luxury tower called Hokua in Kakaako followed with a 2002 launch. MacNaughton and Kobayashi developed Hokua, which A&B also took part in by providing some financing.

A rush followed the stunning near-sellout of Hokua units for $1.1 million on average. Six or so more towers were announced in 2003 and 2004, including Capitol Place downtown by MacNaughton/Kobayashi and Keola La‘i in Kakaako by A&B.

As is common in Hawaii’s real estate cycles, there were some casualties after the boom ended. A tower in Kakaako called Moana Vista, announced in 2005, was forced to halt construction in 2008. OliverMcMillan later acquired the project, restarted construction and last year finished the tower now known as Pacifica.

Another project, Allure Waikiki, started sales in 2007 and finished construction in 2010. But Allure’s Chicago-based developer Fifield Cos. managed to sell only 39 percent of units — 113 of 291 — and lost the property to a lender. After the lender failed, investors and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. assumed control, redesigned some spaces and resumed sales. About 60 more units have been sold by the new group over the last 15 months, property records show.

Original developers of Allure and Moana Vista lost their projects, while others that had teed up plans positioned for previous booms didn’t move forward as expected.

One such project was announced in 2006 called Ko‘olua in Kakaako. In 2007 the developer sold the property to another developer who anticipated starting construction in 2008 and finishing in 2010. But work never began, and the developer sold the property in 2010 to A&B, which is now moving ahead with Waihonua on the site.

Another fizzled plan involved landowner Kamehameha Schools seeking a development partner in 2005 to build a tower on the mauka side of Ala Moana Boulevard, between Coral and Cooke streets.

Even building two towers on the former Honolulu Advertiser property was proposed previously. A development partnership announced such a plan in 1984.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?action=login&f=y&id=140412113)

Urbanguy

Mar 2, 2012, 11:28 PM

Updates:

Tallest buildings over 350 ft. in Honolulu (Built, Approved or U/C)

Honolulu city
1 690 Pohukaina: 650 ft *Approved (2015-2019?)
2 First Hawaiian Center: 438 ft
3 Waihonua at Kewalo: 426.1 ft *Approved late 2012-2014
4 Pacifica Honolulu: 425 ft
5 Moana Pacific East Tower: 423 ft or 422 ft?
6 Moana Pacific West Tower: 423 ft or 422 ft?
7 Hokua: 416 ft or 418 ft?
8 Nauru Tower: 416 ft or 418 ft?
9 Hawaiki Tower: 400 ft
10 Imperial Plaza: 400 ft
11 One Archer Lane: 400 ft
12 One Waterfront Makai Tower: 400 ft
13 One Waterfront Mauka Tower: 400 ft
14 Ko'olani: 400 ft
15 Symphony Tower: 400 ft *Proposal
16 World Trade Center Hawaii: 400 ft *Proposal
17 Ala Moana Hotel: 397 ft
18 1132 Bishop Street: 387 ft
19 Keola Lai: 387 ft
20 The Watermark Waikiki: 374 ft
21 Discovery Bay Center: 351 ft
22 Hawaii Monarch Hotel: 351 ft
23 Hilton Grand Waikikian: 351 ft
24 The Windsor: 351 ft
25 Trump International Hotel and Tower: 351 ft
26 Yacht Harbor Towers: 351 ft
27 Canterbury Place: 350 ft
28 Century Center: 350 ft
29 Endeavor Condominium [Discovery Bay]: 350 ft
30 Executive Center: 350 ft
31 Franklin Towers: 350 ft
32 Honolulu Park Place: 350 ft
33 Honolulu Tower: 350 ft
34 Hyatt Regency Waikiki Diamond Head Tower [Hyatt Regency Waikiki]: 350 ft
35 Hyatt Regency Waikiki Ewa Tower [Hyatt Regency Waikiki]: 350 ft
36 Island Colony: 350 ft
37 Ohana Maile Sky Court: 350 ft
38 Pacific Monarch: 350 ft
39 Pauahi Tower : 350 ft
40 Regency Tower [Regency Tower]: 350 ft
41 Regency Tower 2 [Regency Tower]: 350 ft
42 Resolution Condominium [Discovery Bay]: 350 ft
43 Royal Iolani Diamond Head Tower [Royal Iolani Condominiums]: 350 ft
44 Royal Iolani Ewa Tower [Royal Iolani Condominiums]: 350 ft
45 Tapa Tower [Hilton Hawaiian Village]: 350 ft
46 The Aqua Waikiki Marina Towers: 350 ft
47 Waikiki Banyan Makai Tower [Waikiki Banyan]: 350 ft
48 Waikiki Banyan Mauka Tower [Waikiki Banyan]: 350 ft
49 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 1: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
50 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 2: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
51 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 3: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
52 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 4: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
53 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 5: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
54 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 6: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal
55 Kakaako 'urban villages' Tower 7: 350-400 ft or higher if 650 ft height limit is approved for the area *Proposal

*A Few Proposals just west of the Honolulu area.
[b]Aiea/Pearl Ridge/Pearl City
Robertson Properties Group: 350 ft
Robertson Properties Group: 300 ft
Robertson Properties Group: 250 ft
Robertson Properties Group: 150 ft
Robertson Properties Group: 150 ft
Sources: Emporis, Honolulu Star Advertiser, DBEDT, Hawaii News Now, Waihonua at Kewalo

Renderings of the proposed 400 ft. Symphony Tower
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/01-b5-symphony-pix.jpg
http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/01-b5-symphony-pixc.jpg
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser (http://www.staradvertiser.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/viewer/?galID=140998123&photo=2)