Honolulu City Council members will get their introduction to the Hilton Hawaiian Village's proposed 350-unit Waikikian Tower when the Zoning Committee meets Tuesday morning. Council to consider Hilton plan
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.com
The estimated $80 million project is the first to seek special considerations under a planned development resort permit under the city's revised Waikiki Special Design District rules approved in 1996.
Specifically, Hilton wants a greater amount of floor area, what the city defines as "density," than is typically allowed. It also wants to encroach into standard setback areas for Waikiki.
Besides the planned development resort permit, Hilton wants a special management area permit from the Council.
If the project gets the committee's clearance for the two permits, it would be poised to receive a final vote from the full Council at its Aug. 7 meeting in Kapolei.
Criticism has come from area residents worried about increased traffic along an already congested section of Ala Moana.
An initial Hilton study shows creation of a new intersection and traffic signal at Dewey Lane and Ala Moana would ease traffic woes. But a separate study conducted by Local 5 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees union estimated the project would increase traffic by up to 14 percent.
The project calls for construction of a 350-foot-tall tower that Hilton is envisioning for time-share use. A 120-stall parking garage is also planned.
The project would share a joint lobby with the 164-unit Hilton Lagoon Apartments.
Zoning Committee Chairman Duke Bainum, who represents the Waikiki area, said the key issue is whether community benefits resulting from the project merit the special considerations being sought under the planned development resort permit. Bainum acknowledged concerns that have centered on traffic and the potential that some neighbors could lose their ocean views.
"On the other hand, I think everyone agrees that Hilton has done its projects in a tasteful manner and with the community in mind," he said.
The approval process is also being watched because it is the first request for a planned development resort permit, Bainum said, with a much more controversial application from Outrigger Hotels expected to follow.
City & County of Honolulu
