9 developers vie
for Kakaako sites

By Jerry Tune
Star-Bulletin

Offering ideas as diverse as an aquarium, a corporate research facility and a retail/entertainment complex, nine developers have expressed interest in 18-acres of state land in Kakaako, makai of Ala Moana.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority, which oversees Kakaako development, required developers to identify what parcels they want but they did not have to disclose exact plans yet. The HCDA is going through a developer qualification phase and a request for specific proposals will be held early next year.

A short-list of qualified developers will be chosen in October, the project decisions made by April 1999, with construction expected to start in 2000, according to the HCDA.

The makai lands are owned by the state and designated in five parcels with a potential for 1.34 million square feet of commercial space. No residential or hotel use is allowed in the area. The sites are in an area between Ala Moana, Ohe and Olomehani streets, and the ocean frontage at Kewalo Basin.

Most developers expressed interest in all 18 acres, with some exceptions. Potential developers are:

Victoria Ward Ltd., which plans to adding a Sak's Fifth Avenue store across Ala Moana from Fisherman's Wharf, indicated interest in the restaurant site and an adjoining parcel.

USPO Redevelopment Corp., headed by Russell Allen, is the developer of the Post Office Galleria in downtown Honolulu. The developers are looking at all or most of the 18 acres in Kakaako for an aquarium, Broadway-style theater, theme park, retail and offices.

Ohana Foundation ACDG, LLC is headed by Don Graham Jr., who is working with Annie Chan of ESS Technology Inc. on the Kakaako development and on a seniors residential project near McKinley High School.

ESS Technology, based in Fremont, Calif., is a leader in audio and computer chip technology. The company is considering a research and development center in Honolulu that is expected to employ 200 to 300 people.

Kewalo Project Development Ltd., headed by D.G. "Andy" Anderson, has talked about expansion plans next to Anderson's John Dominis restaurant on land now used for the fish auction.

Park City Joint Venture is headed by YNOS Limited Partnership and Benjamin Kudo, a land use attorney. The group is interested in lands now used by the City and County of Honolulu.

Ratkovich & Kagawa Inc. is headed by Kathleen Kagawa, who has worked in the hotel, entertainment and retail industries. Jim Ratkovich is a developer based in Pasadena, Calif. Their proposal involves retail and a Hawaii-theme "gathering place."

Imperial Associates, Seaborn Projects Inc. and Zelman Retail Projects Inc. is headed by Imperial Associates and James W.Y. Wong, who developed Paradise Park and other Hawaii projects.

Coastal Rim Properties, Glacier Sports Centers, and Spectrum Group is headed by Coastal Rim Properties and Franco Mola, who is active in Honolulu housing development. Glacier Sports Centers operates a recreational business in California.

Kanani Baldwin of Honolulu.

The parcels are available for development at various times as existing leases expire. These include leases to Honolulu Marine Inc. for shipbuilding (through 2021), and to the United Fishing Agency for the fish auction (to 2000). The Fisherman's Wharf restaurant is on a month-to-month lease to Nittaku Investment.

The city is using 13 acres as a base yard for public works, transportation services and park operations but is expected to move to either Manana or Halawa.