KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM A group is trying to save the Honolulu Memorial Park pagoda from demolition.

Pagoda demolition
put on hold

Honolulu Memorial will try
to form a new plan that
could save the landmark

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By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.com

Plot and niche owners at Honolulu Memorial Park won a round yesterday in federal Bankruptcy Court to stave off demolition of a deteriorating pagoda.

A bankruptcy judge gave the Richards family, owners of Honolulu Memorial Park, until March 21 to come up with an amended bankruptcy reorganization plan that may include renovating the cemetery's pagoda, which contains niches.

Bankruptcy Judge Robert Faris granted the cemetery owners' request to withdraw their latest plan, which included demolishing the pagoda, after their attorney indicated that the votes from owners of plots and niches was "negative."

Jerrold Guben, attorney for the Richards family, said he hopes to meet Friday with creditors, city and state officials and an organized group of niche and plot owners so a new plan can be developed.

"After 30 days, we hope to have a decision to go forward with an amended plan of reorganization or other alternative," Guben told the judge yesterday.

Faris expressed his belief that the debtors can hammer out a reorganization that will be a win-win situation for all.

"I won't dismiss the bankruptcy case until I'm absolutely convinced there is no chance of reorganization," he said.

The cemetery owners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2001, and more than 4,300 individuals who had purchased niches and plots at the Nuuanu cemetery had until Feb. 11 to accept or reject the latest reorganization plan.

Guben said he didn't have a final tally on the votes, which included support for the plan, because they were still coming in. But by yesterday, he had not received the requisite two-thirds approval to enable him to present the plan to the court for confirmation.

Wayne Kotomori, one of the most vocal opponents of the pagoda's demolition, who has been unable to inter the remains of his father who died in December, objected to the continuance and asked the court to dismiss the bankruptcy action.

"People have spoken by their vote," he told the court. "We're here to confirm or not confirm -- and their vote is to reject."

Kotomori, who, like several others at the hearing, wore a T-shirt with an image of the pagoda and the words, "Save the Pagoda," said the structure should be placed on the national Register of Historic Places for not only the owners of the plots and niches to enjoy, but for the entire state.

David Farmer, the attorney representing a group of concerned plot and niche owners separate from Kotomori's, had filed objections to the latest plan and will be participating in the upcoming meeting. Farmer could not be reached for comment.

Guben said a new plan may include going forward with the demolition, which the owners earlier said would cost about $200,000.

When later asked if the owners would consider saving the pagoda, Guben replied, "It's certainly an alternative if someone comes up with a reasonable price."