StarBulletin.com

Kamehameha Schools presents its vision to HCDA


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POSTED: Thursday, December 04, 2008

Kamehameha Schools presented its version of a mixed urban village to the Hawaii Community Development Authority yesterday afternoon.

               

     

 

 

The Kaiaulu 'o Kakaako Master Plan

        » Concept: Mixed-use urban village

       

» Acres: 29

       

» Residential units: 2,750

       

» Timeline: 15-plus years

       

» Web site: www.ksbe.edu/kakaako

       

Source: Kamehameha Schools

       

       

The Kamehameha Schools master plan echoes many of the same elements as the Ward Neighborhood Master Plan submitted by General Growth Properties in the spring.

The trust envisions transforming the 29 acres it owns into a pedestrian-friendly urban village - a community it calls Kaiaulu 'o Kakaako (meaning Kakaako community).

At the centerpiece of the trust's plan is the Asia Pacific Research Center on five acres next to the medical school, which is expected to create up to 1,200 high-wage jobs.

The first phase of the “;innovations technologies”; center, which measures 137,000 square feet, and is estimated at a cost of $80 million, could begin in late 2009 or early 2010.

Kamehameha Schools is speaking with local life sciences and alternative energy companies, as well as venture capitalists and firms in Asia and Australia to fill the center.

Residents are a key component of the plan, and thus, Kamehameha Schools envisions building up to 2,750 more units along nine blocks.

“;Kakaako must be filled with people dedicated to it,”; said Paul Quintiliani, director of commercial assets for Kamehameha Schools. “;We want to build a neighborhood with places for residents to connect.”;

A mix of mid-rises and high-rises would be offered at various price points, as well as rentals, which Kamehameha Schools is exploring. Luxury condos would also be a part of the plan.

Although the application was submitted last week, HCDA has 30 days to determine whether it is complete. After that, the state agency has 200 days in which to make a decision on Kamehameha School's master plan.

Combined with General Growth's master plan, Kakaako would be home to up to 7,000 for residential units if both were approved.

HCDA's deadline to make a decision on the General Growth plan is Feb. 1.

Kamehameha Schools says that environmental stewardship has always been one of its core values, and that it would pursue green building designs, as well as solar and sea water technologies. Also, many existing buildings will be adapted and re-used.

The entire master plan would be carried out in 15 years or more, he said.

He called the Kamehameha Schools plan “;complimentary, but different”; from General Growth's.

Kamehameha Schools says its plan has less emphasis on retail, and more on education and living, and that it would work to retain and expand local businesses.

The redevelopment plans have garnered opposition from the community, mostly because of population density and additional high-rises.

“;It's appalling,”; said Anne Stevens, chair of the Ala Moana/Kakaako neighborhood board. “;The sheer number of new residents and stress on the infrastructure is a total disregard for the needs of the community.”;

Stevens said she also did not consider the innovation center a “;giveback”; to the community.

“;When you combine what General Growth and Kamehameha Schools want to do, it makes our community a wall of condominiums and the infrastructure is not being upgraded,”; she said.

  Stevens expects Kamehameha Schools to present its plans to the board in January or February.