4 finalists vie for
Kakaako sites

By Jerry Tune
Star-Bulletin

Four potential developers for 18 acres of state land in Kakaako must come up with financing commitments to back up their plans.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority yesterday narrowed the list to four developers from six proposals. The HCDA had already eliminated three earlier proposals. Developers have three months to detail financing plans. The authority board said it will make final development decisions in August. Development is expected to start next year on five separate sites makai of Ala Mo-ana, between Ohe and Olomehani streets, and the ocean frontage at Kewalo basin.

The four finalists are:

Ohana Foundation ACDG, LLC, headed by developer Don Graham Jr. and Annie Chan, one of the owners of ESS Technology Inc. of Fremont, Calif.

The high-technology park would include 700,000 square feet in three towers around the Children's Discovery Museum. The buildings would include an education-training center, research and development center, and incubator space for start-up companies.

Imperial Associates, Seaborn Projects Inc. and Zelman Retail Projects Inc., headed by Imperial Associates and James W.Y. Wong, who developed Paradise Park and other Hawaii projects. "Kewalo Waterfront Village" would include a biotechnology research center, retail shops specializing in nature and outdoor adventure, farmer's market, and a fish market. It also would include a cultural-education facility known as "Kewalo Station" with an interactive, multi-media presentation on the natural history of Hawaii.

Kewalo Project Development Ltd., headed by D.G. "Andy" Anderson. This proposal would include an open-air restaurant, Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, championship mini-golf course, and places for tour boats. Parking would be underground.

Victoria Ward Ltd., headed by Mitch D'Olier. Ward wants the Fisherman's Wharf restaurant site for retail, entertainment, a restaurant and farmer's market.

Developers eliminated at yesterday's meeting were: Coastal Rim Properties and Glacier Sports Centers, which proposed a snowboarding attraction; and Ratkovich & Kagawa Inc., which planned a retail complex.