State refloats
‘fishing village’ idea
for auction site

The Kewalo Basin fish auction's
lease expires in the year 2000

By Jerry Tune
Star-Bulletin

The state is talking to local fishing companies about developing a "fishing village" somewhere in the area between Piers 36 and Pier 38 on Honolulu Harbor.

The project would include the fish auction now held at Kewalo Basin, which is slated to lose its lease in the year 2000. It would also house related businesses, such as fish processing, fish icing and boat fueling.

The likely location is Pier 38, formerly used by Chevron USA Inc. Four fuel tanks it had were removed about three years ago.

"We have been meeting with United Fishing Agency (which operates the fish auction) and other prospective users," said Tom Fujikawa, harbors division chief of the state Department of Transportation. The project could be ready for construction next summer, Fujikawa said.

"We are doing the conceptual plan right now," he said. "We don't have the cost figures yet but we will be doing a business plan."

The "fishing village" concept originally was suggested as a private development, but a request for proposals in 1993-94 did not find a developer.

The state had been seeking a minimum investment of $20 million but now will consider less, said Brad Mossman, deputy director of the state Department of Business Economic Development & Tourism.

It is still possible that private interests might be willing to do part of the development, and in return get lower lease rates. Alternatively, the state could do the development and lease out spaces, said state Harbors Division engineer Fred Nunes.

Akira Otani, owner of United Fishing Agency, said the state seems more realistic about what the private sector can do and still remain profitable. "We are very interested and trying to work with government," Otani said.

Nunes said funds to develop the fishing village would most likely come from revenue bonds, requiring approval from the state Legislature.

Nunes said the fishing companies prefer Pier 38 as a good place to start development because it is now vacant.

Pier 36 is used by Marine Spill Response Corp., a nationwide cooperative funded by oil companies to clean up spills. Pier 37 is used as a dock for fishing boats.

United Fishing Agency will lose its lease on the Kewalo Basin fish auction site in the year 2000, and the state wants a replacement by that time. Fujikawa said.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority is doing a Kewalo Basin master plan and the location is tentatively planned for retail use, said Jan Yokota, the authority's executive director.