Pump station should become education site

By Robert M. Fox and David Cheever

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 06, 2013

~~<p>At the historic Kakaako Pump Station on Ala Moana Boulevard, what would you think of turning it into an art gallery? Or maybe a restaurant, or a small museum? These and dozens of other uses have been proposed for this iconic building. But it still remains empty and, at more than 100 years old, continues to deteriorate. Questions remain. What should it best be used for? Why is it not in use? And why should it be preserved at all?</p>
<p>The building's owner is a state agency, the Hawaii Community Development Agency. HCDA conducted a full-blown study in 2006 — involving professionals and the community — of possible uses for the pump station. Along with those mentioned above were such uses as a venue for special events, a charter school and a public works museum — and many more. Still, nothing has come together.</p>
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At the historic Kakaako Pump Station on Ala Moana Boulevard, what would you think of turning it into an art gallery? Or maybe a restaurant, or a small museum? These and dozens of other uses have been proposed for this iconic building. But it still remains empty and, at more than 100 years old, continues to deteriorate. Questions remain. What should it best be used for? Why is it not in use? And why should it be preserved at all?

The building's owner is a state agency, the Hawaii Community Development Agency. HCDA conducted a full-blown study in 2006 — involving professionals and the community — of possible uses for the pump station. Along with those mentioned above were such uses as a venue for special events, a charter school and a public works museum — and many more. Still, nothing has come together. Login for more...