Respect wishes of communities

Changes in a community can be healthy, until it makes people unhappy. The difficulty lies in knowing where the line falls.

Property owner Alexander &Baldwin is finding out that it may be edging too close to that line with plans for the redevelopment of properties in Kailua and the renovation of a parking lot at the Manoa Marketplace Shopping Center.

Complaints arose in Manoa because the upgrade includes the removal of seven monkeypod trees that gives the complex its comforting leafy setting and dappled shade.

A similar protest in Kailua concerns A&B’s plan in a year to demolish the 57-year-old Pali Lanes bowling alley, replacing the local hangout with amenities aimed more at the growing tourist crowd.

Both communities have responded with petition drives that transmit the same message: Enough with changing the local ambiance.

There are arguments in favor of A&B’s plans, and the developer is making them. Fortunately, company officials are weighing new options as well. As a kamaaina company, A&B should listen to the community voices; there should be room for compromise.

The Pali Lanes complaints come from regulars at the alley particularly upset by the prospect of losing their regular bowling nights, and from Kailuans who hate to lose that piece of neighborhood nostalgia.

But it also comes on top of years of redevelopment along the town’s commercial corridor that has ushered in major national retailers such as Target, Whole Foods and Pier 1.

Those places have grown popular with longtime residents and visitors alike, but there are many who miss the favorite stores they replaced, as well as the simple change in the town’s appearance to storefronts bearing architectural styles seen commonly across the mainland. As a result, the bowling alley plan may have generated a kind of “last-straw” pushback from Kailuans.

In Manoa, A&B spokesman Darren Pai said the company consulted with an arborist on all 51 trees in the parking lot.

The primary concern lies with the large monkeypods, beautiful shade trees with invasive root structures that have upheaved the asphalt, posing safety problems for shoppers who trip over the uneven pavement.

Some middle ground should be sought. At issue are seven mature trees in the lot between Longs Drugs and Safeway. Some have suggested that some of these be replaced with trees that are native to Hawaii. There might be such an option that presents fewer maintenance issues.

There’s lots to like about redevelopment and the much-touted “urban infill” of high rises and new retail outlets, entertainment and dining spots.

But Oahu’s burgeoning population has produced a kind of urban fatigue for residents who, quite reasonably, cling to elements of their personal environment that mean the most to them.

As former first lady Nancie Caraway explained on behalf of her Manoa neighbors, “We’re trying to stave off this never-ending development crisis that is just taking over our island.” Trees are emblematic of green Manoa Valley and people treasure them.

As for Kailua, the 1960s-vintage Pali Lanes with its Quonset-hut design can be faulted for its run-down condition. However, bowling is enjoying something of a comeback, and a renovation, incorporating new tenants alongside the lanes, could be considered in lieu of demolition.

A&B has talked about creating entertainment spaces and a new farmers market once the alley is removed. The tourists may be drawn to hula shows and unspecified cultural activities, but there seems no groundswell of support for that locally.

In both neighborhoods, the local residents want to keep some of what’s already part of their lives: trees, and Pali Lanes. As much as possible, their wishes should be respected.