Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: ABC Stores wants to put up a new store on the site of an old dilapidated house at 160 Liliuokalani Ave. in Waikiki that it purchased. The problem is that it got a variance to build up to the sidewalk, so it doesn't have the required setback and it doesn't have to provide any landscaping. ABC Stores’ Waikiki
plan in complianceBut mainly, it's going to take away space where the bus stop now is. Why was this allowed when there are already so many ABC Stores in Waikiki?
Answer: The project will have the required setback, and landscaping will have to be provided, said Jan Sullivan, city director of planning and permitting.
The bus stop will be improved by new landscaping areas, paving, a new bus shelter and drinking fountain -- all to be provided by ABC, she said.
"There will be no reduction in landscaping," said Paul Kosasa, president of ABC Stores. "No rules were broken."
The store will be built on a private lot, where the house sits, but will be able to utilize the city-owned adjacent corner lot, used principally as a bus stop, as a setback area.
The store will be set back at least 20 feet from the front property line along Kuhio Avenue and at least 15 feet from Liliuokalani Avenue, Sullivan said. Also, the existing shower tree has to be kept or be replaced by a tree of the same size or larger.
"As a single project, the city lot becomes what will be perceived as a 'setback' area," Sullivan said. "No waivers were granted to the ABC Store."
The improvements to that lot -- including new landscaping, paving and installation of a standard Waikiki bus shelter -- will bring the shelter closer to the public sidewalk, she said.
"We believe that this project will help rejuvenate this particular part of Waikiki by redeveloping a neglected site, beautifying the area with more landscaping and providing bus riders with a more attractive bus stop and the convenience of an adjacent retail store," Sullivan said.
As for the number of ABC Stores in Waikiki, Sullivan said the properties are zoned for commercial use and the city doesn't control the number of stores in Waikiki or elsewhere.
Kosasa said construction of the new store probably will not take place until next year.
Q: I enjoy the Hilton Hawaiian Village's weekly Friday night fireworks but on Tuesday, May 18, and Saturday, May 22, I saw a much more elaborate display.
It seemed to come from the Ala Wai Boat Harbor/Ala Moana Beach Park, last nearly 10 minutes and included some spectacular fireworks. Who sponsors these fireworks and is there a schedule?
A: According to the Honolulu Fire Department, permits for the two fireworks displays were requested by the Galileo Convention.
No other displays were scheduled.
Mahalo
In late April, my father, Win Farmer, passed away in his Waikiki hotel room home, where he had lived for several years. Mahalo to the staff at Straub Hospital, who cared for him before he died; the compassionate ambulance crew who attended him at his death; the thoughtful and professional police officers; the wonderful and generous people working at the Ocean Resort Hotel; the Waikiki Elks Club for help in scattering his ashes; and Mike Chun for everything. Because of them, Win Farmer's passing was just as he'd hoped it would be. -- Melissa Keller, Overland Park, Kan.
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
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