Kamehameha Schools, Foodland to reveal plan for Hawaii Kai project
Duane Shimogawa | Reporter- Pacific Business News
Mar 20, 2013, 1:54pm HST
Kamehameha Schools and Foodland are expected to unveil a plan to develop the 4.5-acre “Great Lawn” in Hawaii Kai across from Maunalua Bay into a grocery-anchored strip center at Thursday night’s East Oahu Town Hall Meeting,
The crane parked near the intersection of Kalanianaole Highway and Keahole Street in Hawaii Kai is there for dredging Maunalua Bay. However, Kamehameha Schools and Foodland are expected to unveil a plan for the 4.5-acre parcel that would include a Foodland-anchored shopping center.
Landowner Kamehameha Schools is expected to be represented by Susan Todani, the trust’s area development director, and Foodland’s vice chairman, Roger Wall, is expected to attend on behalf of the supermarket, which would be the anchor tenant of the proposed shopping center.
Spokespeople for Kamehameha Schools and Foodland did not immediately respond to requests for comment by PBN.
Recently, a construction crane in that area had some local residents wondering if it was there to start construction of the strip center at the corner of Kalanianaole Highway and Keahole Street.
Many community residents are opposed to developing the land, which is adjacent to the Hawaii Kai dog park, for commercial purposes, but that is not what the crane was there for, said Beverly Liddle, manager of the Hawaii Kai Marina. Instead, it was part of a dredging project for the marina and entrance to the bay.
The town hall meeting is being held by area politicians such as Reps. Gene Ward and Mark Hashem, Sens. Sam Slom and Laura Thielen and Councilman Stanley Chang, as well as the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board.
“I hope some rational land use perspectives on what the community feels in regards to the proposal [from Kamehameha Schools and Foodland] come out of the meeting,” Ward told PBN. “If they are pursuing the proposal, the details should be forthcoming.”
In 2011, Foodland shut down its only Hawaii Kai store, at the Koko Marina Shopping Center. Walgreen Co. and Petco opened stores last year in the former Foodland space.
Ward says that the next formal step in the process of development is scheduling a hearing with the Honolulu City Council, which has not been done yet.
The Great Lawn is of great importance to the Hawaii Kai and East Honolulu community. Many say it sets the ambience of the neighborhood and is a beloved piece of land.
The town hall meeting is being held at the Kamiloiki Elementary School Cafeteria from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Ward’s office at 586-6420.
