About Honolulu's Kakaako

New 43-Story Condo Planned for Kakaako

According to "Honolulu Magazine" online, "By now you've heard that Kewalo Development, a subsidiary of A&B Properties Inc., has unveiled its plans for a 43-story, upscale residential condo between the Hawaiki and Koolani buildings. It looks nice, but what's going to make it different from the other towers in the area?

In keeping with the trend to go green, A&B is incorporating a variety of energy-efficient technologies, including:

• A heat recovery system to centrally heat hot water for all residences as well as the pool
• LED lighting in the common areas
• Lighting systems in the common areas to enable use as needed
• Dual air conditioning controls in two- and three-bedroom residences
• Low-emissivity, dual-paned windows

As the plans progress, the design team will continue to seek alternate means of reducing energy and water use.

One of the selling points is its walkability—the average Walkscore of condos in this area is 80—but they are featuring a lot of athletic/recreational amenities in the building, as well: A recreation deck with pool, spa, barbeques, private cabanas and lawn area; a club room with a full kitchen; a fitness center with separate weight and yoga rooms; a multi-purpose room; and a private movie theater. There will also be two guest suites for visitors, which is new and unusual for any condos here.

The tower, named Waihonua, will include 345 one-, two- and three-bedroom units that will start at $400,000, $565,000 and $720,000, fee simple. There will also be seven penthouse units."

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Kakaako Condo Project would Include Hawaii’s Tallest Building

According to "Pacific Business News" online, "The state plans to issue a request for proposals in January for a developer to build two residential towers in Honolulu’s Kakaako neighborhood, one of which would be the tallest building in Hawaii.

The plans for 690 Pohukaina call for one tower with 300 affordable for-sale units and a second tower with 500 market-priced units. The second tower would be 650 feet high, nearly 250 feet taller than the First Hawaiian Center.

The project is slated for a parcel at 690 Pohukaina St., adjacent to developer Stanford Carr’s planned Halekauwila Place project, which is scheduled to break ground next year on 204 affordable rentals.

The Halekauwila Place project’s design has been integrated into the 690 Pohukaina conceptual plan since the two projects abut each other, said Anthony Ching, executive director of the Hawaii Community Development Authority, the state agency that has jurisdiction over and administers zoning regulations for the Kakaako district.

The increased height for the market-priced residential tower — Honolulu has a 400-foot height limit — would come out of the rules for transit-oriented development, which are being revised to increase density in anticipation of Honolulu’s rail transit project, Ching said.

The agency estimates that the project will mean $500 million for the state economy over seven years and create 500 construction jobs and 1,000 more indirect jobs."

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State Plans Towering Residential Skyscraper in Kakaako Neighborhood in Honolulu

According to the "Hawaii Reporter", "A soaring residential skyscraper that would tower over Honolulu’s highest buildings has been proposed by the state for development on Pohukaina Street in Kakaako."

"The building could be as much as 650 feet high – more than 200 feet above the First Hawaiian Bank Center, which at 440 feet is the tallest structure in the Islands."

"Called 690 Pohukaina, the project would also include two smaller residential and commercial towers as well as a parking structure and a civic/community center."

"Governor Neil Abercrombie praised the proposed project, which won initial approval today from the Hawaii Community Development Authority."

"“I think this project is tremendous,” Abercrombie told the HCDA board."

"He said it would provide badly needed housing for “the working blue collar and white collar middle class.”"

"HCDA executive director Anthony Ching said plans call for construction of 204 affordable rental units, 300 affordable housing units and 500 market-priced apartments."

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Retail, housing changing Honolulu's Kakaako neighborhood

According to Pacific Business News online, "New senior affordable apartments, restaurants and retail space and harbor improvements are changing the look of Honolulu's Kakaako neighborhood ahead of planned major redevelopments.

KHON reports that the Hawaii Community Development Authority recently passed new zoning rules that encourage business owners to build active storefronts in Kakaako. KHON reports one stretch of Pensacola Street that has already seen changes with the additions of a restaurant, a salon and a boutique clothing store will soon be home to a Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory.

Read the rest of the KHON story.

Hawaii agency considers update to Kakaako development plan

As written on the "Pacific Business News Morning Call" online, "The Hawaii Community Development Authority is meeting Wednesday to consider an update to the planning guidelines for the Kakaako section of Honolulu that have been in place since 1982."

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that the changes would incorporate preserving views and improving pedestrian activity while still promoting mixed-use development that could include the construction of residential towers as high as 400 feet. The newspaper says the HCDA, which has spent more than $200 million on infrastructure in the past 30 years, estimates it would need to spend another $126.5 million on infrastructure upgrades. The newspaper says the plan also estimates the population of the area would nearly double, from 20,000 to 35,000 by 2030.