GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Sen. Rod Tam yesterday introduced a plan to develop the lower Kakaako area, using private money. The development would include an international cultural museum and a marketplace of family-oriented businesses, stores, restaurants and other establishments highlighting the state's diversity.

Senator proposes
international cultural district

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Associated Press

Hawaii must emphasize its potential as an international meeting place to diversify the state economy away from its reliance on tourism, the Senate's economic development chairman said yesterday.

"We have such a diversity of cultures that we should take advantage of it," Sen. Rod Tam, D-Downtown, said in announcing a development proposal for Oahu's Kakaako district.

The development would include an international cultural museum and a marketplace of family-oriented businesses, stores, restaurants and other establishments highlighting the state's diversity.

It would be developed in the Kakaako area from Sand Island to Ala Moana Beach Park and include parcels such as Kakaako Waterfront Park and the Children's Discovery Center.

"Hawaii is perfect, at this time, to be an international meeting place," Tam said.

Tam, who is running for a City Council seat, said he has discussed the proposal with representatives from Hawaii's ethnic communities and with officials from various sister cities in Asia.

He said he plans to push for about $1 million in state money for research, design and development, but added he did not have an estimate on what the total development might cost.