Kakaako developer
seeks to woo NOAA
The developer that wants to build an aquarium complex along the Kakaako waterfront area has proposed offering the complex's research facilities to house the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The agency would serve as a "third anchor" for the area along with the aquarium and University of Hawaii medical school.
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KUD submitted the proposals last week to the Hawaii Community Development Authority, the state agency that steers development of Kakaako.
The company is under a preliminary agreement with the state to develop an Ocean Sciences Center on a roughly 11-acre parcel of state land near Point Panic. It will include the six-story, 150,000-square-foot aquarium and marine research facilities totaling another 250,000 square feet.
The whole project is expected to cost up to $250 million.
The NOAA is searching for a site for a new 400,000-square foot Pacific Region Center it wants to build for its Oahu staff, including the National Weather Service and National Marine Fisheries, who are currently scattered across the island.
KUD Vice President Larry Preble said the addition of the NOAA to the Kakaako waterfront could enhance the state's plans to build a vibrant live-work-play community.
"We thought we needed to find a way to accommodate all the hopes for the area and make it work for everyone," he said.
The NOAA is said to be considering a handful of sites including Kakaako for its center, which will employ about 660 staff.
The HCDA's plan for the waterfront includes residential facilities, a parking garage, dining outlets and a redevelopment of the Ewa side of the Kewalo Basin harbor into a retail and entertainment complex.
The state has not yet decided on whether to serve as master developer for those plans or to bestow that role on a private entity.
KUD hopes to assume that role in partnership with Chicago-based General Growth, which in the meantime is seeking HCDA approval to redevelop part of its nearby Victoria Ward properties into a retail center topped by 218 rental apartment units.
"We think the overall development needs to be master-planned," said Preble, who declined to offer further details until the HCDA has time to review its proposals.
General Growth officials could not be reached for comment.
KUD's idea to bring in NOAA seems to be aimed at bolstering the Kakaako aquarium's image amid debate over whether Oahu needs more than one world-class aquarium.
Ko Olina developer Jeff Stone has proposed building an aquarium at the West Oahu resort. Last year, lawmakers passed legislation to provide up to $75 million in tax credits for the project.