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Any new news, updates or information about Kaka’ako can be found here

Catch up on what’s happening in Kaka’ako. View our latest monthly newsletter here.

Historic Ala Moana Pumping Station

The KIA Board was treated to a private tour of the Ward Villages “past, present, and future” by the Howard Hughes Corporation. As part of their long term vision for Ward Village, Howard Hughes Corporation recently completed renovation of the IBM building which included complete interior renovations of Levels 1, 2, and 6 of the building, an addition to the seventh floor rooftop, an open air lanai addition to the ground floor, and full update of the site’s hardscape and landscape, eliminating parking to create a courtyard and community space on the makai side of the building.  

The ground floor is home to the Ward Village Master Plan information center. KIA members and the public are welcome to visit the information center from 9am – 5pm (7 days per week). The information Center features:

• An original wall mural by acclaimed Native Hawaiian artist Solomon Enos. The mural celebrates the rich history of the area, incorporating the past, current and future culture of Ward Village.
• An interactive exhibit created in partnership with the Bishop Museum showcases the history of the Ward area, a former family estate known as Old Plantation, established by Victoria Robinson and Curtis Ward.
• Demonstrative displays and models that show the details of the planned 60-acre Ward Village project.
• A theatre open to the public to watch a film about Ward Village, enabling the community to learn more about The Howard Hughes Corporation’s plans.

The sixth floor features a sales gallery for the first two planned mixed-use condominium towers, Waiea, at 1118 Ala Moana Boulevard, and Anaha, at 1108 Auahi Street. Complete model units have also been included  for interested buyers to see and experience the two towers.  Interested visitors need to schedule an appointment in advance.

A presentation was made to the KIA Board on the KSBE project with Stanford Carr Development, named Keauhou Lane. The project will comprise of residential units on top of the parking garage, a four-story town home wrap project.  The top of the garage will have a rec area, trees, etc. The tower will have 423 units, of which 35 are townhouses. This is a mid-priced project, 155% AMI or less, almost half meets the reserve housing requirements of HCDA. It will be very affordable for the area. Anticipated start date of Keauhou Lane, if approval by the end of May, can be the beginning of 2015, with 18 month to construct. The anticipated occupancy would be  2016 or 2017. Click here to view the Keauhou Lane presentation.

The KIA Board bids fond Aloha to Sheri Higa of First Hawaiian Bank who will be moving from the Ward branch.  She has been a valued member of the Board, as well as a golf tournament committee member.  KIA is fortunate that she offered to continue with this year’s golf tournament.  Mahalo, Sheri. With the resignation of Sheri Higa, Sandy Gomes, of the Ward First Hawaiian Bank branch, was nominated and elected as a KIA Board member, effective April 1st. Welcome Sandy, and Mahalo for also being on this year’s golf tournament committee.

KIA members surely know about Fisher Hawaii at 450 Cooke Street. Well, at a recent (usually ever month) visit, Sherry Goya, KIA Executive Director, found great sales throughout the store.  She had time since it started to pour, and everyone wanted to stay covered until it stopped. Besides office supplies, she found a variety of educational items for her two year old granddaughter. Fisher Hawaii has office furniture, cabinets, equipment, and any supply you need for office, home, and school. Rain or no rain, visit them soon!

The Stage Restaurant at the Honolulu Design Center has been renovated. Stop by to enjoy their great meals and ambiance. If you need to meet a client somewhere in Kakaako, the Honolulu Design Center’s ground floor cafe is perfect. Have coffee, tea, lunch, a snack or dessert, use their free wi-fi, enjoy the quiet, clean and comfortable cafe, and appreciate the free parking covered lot.

HCDA Legislative Update 3/7/14 Bills That Crossed Over

HB1866 HD2: RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Provides for administrative appeal, judicial review, and intervention in HCDA development permit application proceedings. Amends requirements for notice, hearing, approval, and vesting of rights for developmental permits. Amends HCDA membership and appointment. Requires provision of affordable housing within same district and permits sale of units. Requires legislative oversight of fiscal actions. Prohibits acquisition of public land by set aside. Creates height limit for Kakaako. (Referred to Senate EGH, WAM)

SB2699: RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENT. Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to implement affordable housing policies that are in greater conformity with those of the City and County of Honolulu. (Referred to House WAL, HSG, FIN)

SCR2: ENCOURAGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE, MULTI-GENERATIONAL, MIXED INCOME, AND MIXED USE HOUSING. (Transmitted to House)

HCR97/ HR71: REQUESTING A FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. (Offered 3/7/14)

HCDA also has a “project activity” spreadsheet to share with KIA members. Click here to view the spreadsheet.

There will be a HART construction update meeting on Thursday, March 27th starting at 6pm with registration and Open House, and meeting at 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Neil Blasdell Center’s Hawaii Suites. The meeting is designed to focus on Kakaako, the status and activities occurring in the area.

The Third Annual Kaka’ako Community Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 19th starting at 8:00 a.m. and ending around 11:00 a.m. is in celebration Earth day 2014. This year’s event will focus on cleaning Mother Waldron park with additional cleanup efforts extending down both Pohukaina/Halekuwila Streets and Cooke St/South streets.  

This annual event is sponsored by: The Shidler Group, Team Hawaii Going Green, Totally Against Graffiti (T.A.G.), Kaka’ako Improvement Association, and Building Owners and Managers Association Hawaii (BOMA Hawaii). Special thanks to The Howard Hughes Corporation, Servi-Tek, Hokulani Bakery, Honolulu Police Department, Hawaii Community Development Authority and Honolulu Parks and Recreation.  

The organizers are humbled by the outpouring of support they received year after year, and hope it will continue. Parking free with validation at Waterfront Plaza and at Mother Waldron park upon check in. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Anyone interested should contact Steve Sullivan at ssullivan@shidler.com or 532-4751.

Reservations to attend the first KIA Networking Event for 2014, to be held on Wednesday, April 16th in the Ward Warehouse Kewalo Conference Room  from 11:30am will be taken now. Mahalo to Howard Hughes Corporation for the use of the room. Only KIA members are invited to attend. There is no charge, as everyone brings their own lunch, business cards, brochures, flyers, etc. RSVPs should be emailed to Sherry Goya, KIA Executive Director at sgoyallc@aol.com or by calling 722-8487. Deadline is April 14th.

KIA Golf Tournament

benefiting

Children’s Discovery Center

Become a Sponsor

Are you opening a new location? Got a fundraiser you’d like to promote? If you do and would like to share it through our monthly newsletter, please contact  Sherry Goya for more information.

The first meeting of the KIA Invitational Golf Tournament was held on March 5th, with nine committee members present.  Since that meeting, decisions have been made so you can “mark your calendar.”  The golf tournament will be held at the Pearl Country Club on Wednesday, July 30th. The beneficiary will be KIA’s member Children’s Discovery Center.