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Newsletter

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

Previous Newsletters photo courtesy of HCDA

Historic Ala Moana Pumping Station

Board Highlights

Matthew Pennaz, Sr. Project Manager from Kobayashi Group LLC, made a presentation to the KIA Board on a new Kakaako project. “Vida at 888 Ala Moana” will be developed on the 3.44 acre “Block I” site of Kamehameha Schools’ Kaka‘ako Master Plan, which is bordered by Ala Moana Boulevard, Koula and Auahi Streets. The Diamond Head border adjoins the former Bank of Hawaii property on the corner of Ward Avenue and Ala Moana Boulevard. The project is not requesting any modifications or variances from the HCDA Mauka Area rules. Tower height projects at 400 feet, with approximately 265 two and three-bedroom condominium homes, and ample auto and bicycle parking for retail, guests and owners. Mixed-use retail for the site totals approximately 20,000 square feet. On the Auahi Street side, the developer is incorporating an indoor/outdoor space feeling, with eateries and full retail access off the street. They envision a “Complete Streets” concept for pedestrian access.

The project is estimated to go to sale in the Spring of 2015, with construction starting later that Summer. Sales prices for Vida remain preliminary, but are projected to be approximately $600 to $2,500 per square foot, which will be comparable to ONE Ala Moana sales prices per square foot. In accordance with the Mauka Area rules, 20% of units will be dedicated as offsite reserved housing located within the Kamehameha Schools’ Kakaako Master Plan community. The architectural design teams of Arquitectonica, Los Angeles and Ben Woo Architects, Honolulu are designing the tower with a focus on the local Hawaii market. Vida at 888 Ala Moana will be seeking LEED certification, acknowledging a high-level of commitment to energy-efficient design and features. Amenities will include guest suites, movie theaters, dining rooms with a chef’s kitchen, children’s play areas, game rooms and a putting green. The development expected to move forward with their HCDA development permit application in the near future.

KIA General Membership Meeting

KIA members are invited to attend the KIA General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, August 6th, with lunch being provided for two guests per membership. Non-members or more than two guests per membership will be charged $10 for the lunch. RSVPs are required, as individual lunches will be made. Email sgoyallc@aol.com with company name and up to two names of guests to reserve a space. Follow-up email blasts will be going out in a couple weeks.

This event, the second of two General Membership Meetings for 2014, will feature a panel consisting of Councilwoman Carol Fukunaga, Senator Brickwood Galuataria, and Representative Tom Brower, to discuss “Kakaako’s Homeless.” The KIA membership is encouraged to submit any question they would like addressed by either the whole group or a specific panelist prior to the meeting. Please email your question(s) by August 1st to Leslie Miasnik, KIA President, at lmiasnik@m5architecture.com. Additional questions will be welcomed at the General Membership Meeting. The August KIA newsletter will have a summary of the meeting and contact information of the panelists.

KIA News

Congratulations to McKinley Car Wash who celebrated their 50th Anniversary since starting in June 1964. The owner, Yukio Yoshikawa, still works along side his sons, Craig and Max.  Sherry Goya, KIA Executive Director, can attest to the great cleaning of her vehicle every month.  She received a blue recycle bag in June to celebrate their 50 years - Mahalo!!!

Architects Hawaii was selected to design an initial phase of the $767 million project called Live, Work, Play Aiea, a planned urban village with five towers on the former Kam Drive-In site near Pearlridge Center.  They, along with a California company, will design 112,000 square feet of retail space and a 120-room business hotel included in the initial phase. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, also said that construction of the first phase is expected to be completed at the end of 2016.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser ran a very nice article on their “Insight” page on July11th about the Howard Hughes Corp. Senior Vice President David Striph. It seems even before he was chosen to run Hawaii’s operation, he was a regular visitor to our state. He now oversees the 60-acre development in Kakaako that at full build-out could amount to 22 high-rise towers (over about 15-20 years).

Legislative Update

The legislature has passed SB 2609, relating to increases in minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 over a four year period. It also increases the state’s tip credit from 25 cents to 50 cents beginning January 1, 2015.  On January 1, 2016, the tip credit will rise to 75 cents. Employers with tipped employees can apply the tip credit to reduce the minimum wage as long as employees earn $7 more than the minimum wage when tips are included. To learn more about this bill, go to:  http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2014/bills/SB2609_CD1_.htm.

The Hawaii State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced the adoption of new elevator standards that went into effect June 30, 2014. The adoption of the administrative rules brings the applicable code of elevator standards up to 2010 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards for new elevators and the 2011 ASME code for existing elevators installed or altered after 1997. The revised rules also clarify that the applicable code for other elevators is the code in effect at the time of installation. It is recommended that properties which have an elevator, to contact their elevator vendor to review and go over these new rules as they will have both an operational and economic impact to your operations.   http://labor.hawaii.gov/hiosh/files/2013/01/El-Rules-Legal-Ad20140408.pdf.

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.

2011-2013 Membership Directory

News from HCDA

At a special meeting on June 27, 2014, the HCDA authorized a 35-year lease for the development and management of Kewalo Basin Harbor with Ward Village. This public-private agreement will allow for the renovation and repair of 144 deteriorating slips and docks, and will further revitalize the area for future public enjoyment, at no cost to the taxpayer.


The HCDA believes this is the first step to bringing life back to the state’s only commercial small boat harbor, which will continue to prioritize commercial vessels, like the charter boats and fishing tours that occupy the front row at Kewalo.  An official lease signing event is expected in the coming weeks, marking the transition to new management.


On July 2, 2014, the HCDA held its annual election of officers. Board member, Luis Salaveria nominated all current officers to retain their positions on the Authority, saying their leadership has been exceptional. The vote was unanimous to re-elect Chairperson Brian Lee, Vice-Chairperson Lois Mitsunaga, and Secretary Miles Kamimura.


Also at its July meeting, the HCDA voted to approve a conditional use permit that would allow for the development of a new bakery and restaurant at the corner of Piikoi and King Streets in Kakaako, in the former Subzero showroom. The applicant, Advance Fresh Concepts, must still seek an improvement permit for the Bakery & Table project, which was likened to the nearby establishment, Panya.


Over the Edge Fundraiser

On November 8, 2014, Kaka’ako Improvement Association Board member Steven Sullivan will be rappelling down a skyscraper for Special Olympics Hawaii. Did we get your attention? You heard us correctly - He plans to rappel down the 40-story Hyatt Regency Waikiki as part of a fundraiser called "Over the Edge." This events supports Special Olympics Hawaii.

Did you know that Special Olympics Hawaii provides year-round sports training and competition for 3,258 intellectually disabled athletes at no cost to the athletes or their families? Special Olympics Hawaii’s programming costs approximately $1,000 per athlete for three seasons of year-round competition. Steve and his wife is part of Team Drop 808 and together with other teammates have raised over $90k for Special Olympics over the last 3 years.

If you’re interested in joining Team Drop 808, becoming a volunteer or donating to event contact Steven at SSullivan@shidler.com. Thanks in advance for your support! http://www.firstgiving.com/team/271213 Team Drop 808’s Fundraising Page.

KIA Golf Tournament

benefiting

Children’s Discovery Center

Wednesday, July 30, 2014


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