H o n o l u l u   C o n d o s

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.

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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.