Agency OKs planning for public market

A state agency plans to seek a private developer to plan, design and build a cultural public market with museums and restaurants in Kakaako.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority has approved spending up to $2.3 million on the development contract for the project, which is supported by the Legislature and is part of a community advisory committee conceptual vision for the portion of Kakaako makai of Ala Moana Boulevard.

Such a marketplace is envisioned to include businesses selling produce, food and other products along with educational facilities focused on the history and cultures of various ethnic groups in Hawaii as well as the aku boat fishing fleet that once operated out of Kewalo Basin.

The Legislature appropriated $2.3 million for the marketplace in 2009, and reauthorized the funds in 2012 so the appropriation didn’t lapse. The appropriation is now scheduled to lapse June 30.

Part of the planning work will involve finding a suitable site for the marketplace.

HCDA envisioned that the project could be on a lot it once owned mauka of the old John Dominis restaurant site that is now 53 by the Sea fronting Kewalo Basin. However, the Legislature gave the lot along with about 25 acres in Kakaako’s makai area to the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs in 2012.

OHA is in the early stages of devising its own master plan for its Kakaako makai parcels and has indicated it will determine whether it wants to have the cultural public market on its land.