Leeward Councilman John DeSoto's plan to put a zoo at Kalaeloa will be studied by the city Department of Enterprise Services despite apprehension raised by some of his colleagues. Kalaeloa zoo plan
moves forward
despite concernsThe city will study the plan
for a 200-acre zoo at the
former naval air stationBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comThat is under a resolution that moved out of the Council's Policy Committee yesterday.
DeSoto told committee members the 42-acre Honolulu Zoo in Waikiki has reached capacity and that a 200-acre site at the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station would be the perfect place for a new facility with the potential to be world-class.
DeSoto said both communities would benefit. Waikiki residents have for years sought to restore the zoo site as part of Kapiolani Park, while the Leeward community is seeking attractions for its burgeoning population.
The Navy is in the process of handing over Kalaeloa to state and city jurisdiction.
"We have the land there. We have the infrastructure ready to be put into place," DeSoto said.
A Kalaeloa study was endorsed by Bill Bass, executive director of the Kalaeloa redevelopment commission. He described a Kalaeloa zoo proposal as "an innovative and creative idea that should be studied judiciously."
Barry Fukunaga, director of the Department of Enterprise Services, said city planners would do a study, but asked that a 30-day time line be extended to 120 days.
Under questioning, zoo Director Ken Redman said members of the nonprofit Honolulu Zoological Society do not oppose the study but "believe where the zoo is now is where it should be."
DeSoto said he would like the zoo to be developed slowly, possibly over five years.
Policy Chairman Romy Cachola said he wants a study to recommend how big a new facility should be. "If it's not much bigger, then there's no sense in moving," he said. He said he also wants to see if a zoo would be compatible with other plans at Kalaeloa.
Councilman Steve Holmes said he is reluctant to relocate the zoo given the amount of money that has been spent improving it.The city, for instance, has spent more than $6 million for an elephant breeding facility.
Councilwoman Rene Mansho said funding over the last few years was approved only after a 1997 study concluded improvements should be made to the Waikiki site.
Waikiki Councilman Duke Bainum said he has been reluctant to support relocating the zoo but believes the time is right to revisit the issue.
City & County of Honolulu
