Public needs to give input on Kakaako waterfront

Even with all the beautiful entry points into the islands, the port of Honolulu might be described as Hawaii’s front door. As such, residents hope it will become an inviting, active and welcoming place.

Guiding the redevelopment of Kakaako, the district that encompasses much of the city’s waterfront, the Hawaii Community Development Authority is the agency with the primary oversight in turning hope into reality.

But ultimately it will be the residents’ resolve to be part of the vetting process that is the wild card here.

The public owns much of the waterfront outlined in the Kakaako blueprints, but without their engagement as detailed planning gets underway, the final result could fall short.

Some possibilities have begun to surface for the area surrounding the commercial harbor at Kewalo Basin and for park land adjacent to it.

Anthony Ching, HCDA executive director, said the Makai Area Conceptual Master Plan adopted in 2011 explicitly supports restaurant or commercial development in specified areas, and would maintain park land for park uses.

It’s the precise type and scale of commercial activity that already is causing some raised eyebrows.

Among the proposals currently floated for the waterfront are a wedding chapel, an Italian seafood restaurant and a commercial electric light show. Arguably a light show could be spectacular in some other venue, but proposed for a portion of Kakaako Waterfront Park, it lacks the sense of place that most local residents hope to see in this prime location.

And while wedding chapels might represent a thriving sector of the visitor industry, Kakaako’s most prized real estate really is better realized by activities that could be used by a wide range of visitors and residents, rather than niche enterprises.

Given the history of the area — remember D.G. "Andy" Anderson’s proposal 15 years ago for a Ferris wheel, in more or less the same area? — people can be forgiven for feeling a bit nervous about all this.

Ching said the master plan already benefited from the input of the general public and other stakeholders and is the framework for activities that will develop in the makai side of Kakaako.

But that plan is just an outline and needs to be filled in with more detail, so it is good that another "park master plan" is being initiated and that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for that.

The EIS process will take nine to 12 months and by law requires full public disclosure and opportunity for comment.

"After the EIS is accepted, individual projects will be considered on their own merits with separate public participation opportunities that allow for presentations before the Ala Moana Neighborhood board, a design review board, two formal hearings and four weekday night/weekend day hearings," Ching said in an emailed response to Star-Advertiser questions.

Ching said this subordinate plan is being done to ensure that state planners "measure twice and cut once."

And the public has a responsibility to fulfill, being present and participatory when all the measurements are taken.

That responsibility goes further: HCDA officials have countered concerns that development is happening in piecemeal fashion, but it’s the public that must hold the agency accountable to such assurances.

Honolulu deserves a waterfront that reflects a vision that’s cohesive and inclusive, as well as dynamic. It’s time to start that process in earnest.