State proposes to redevelop waterfront at Sand Island

Canoe pavilions, a cafe, concession stands, restrooms, a marina and an ocean activity center are among the renovations the state is proposing in a $29 million master plan for Sand Island.

The Sand Island Ocean Recreation Park preliminary master plan stems from a 2009 initiative by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to restore and preserve state parks, popular trails and ocean resources.

About a dozen people, including boaters, a marina operator, city environmental services officials and a local ocean user, showed up Wednesday for the first public meeting on the proposal, a department spokeswoman said.

Another public meeting is scheduled for tonight.

The improvements would be paid for primarily by one or more private investors, who would be allowed to develop and operate a 400- to 500-slip marina on public land at Sand Island.

While the marina would be private, park areas would remain open for public use, the spokeswoman said.

Although preservation groups welcomed the chance to provide comment and opinions early in the planning stages — officials say the plan is not final and construction is at least two years away — the process also drew some criticism.

Not all of the people who use the park were aware of the meeting.

Kealii Paiaina, coach of the Healani Canoe Club, which uses Sand Island beach park, said his club was not informed of Wednesday’s meeting. He was unsure if other clubs were aware of the meeting.

"We love it the way it is right now," Paiaina said of Sand Island. "I hope we’re not going to get displaced by this."

Robert Harris, director of the Hawaii Chapter of the Sierra Club, said he appreciated the early inclusion being afforded the public.

The Sierra Club has not yet taken a position on the project.

"I don’t think we know enough about it yet," Harris said. "I think one of the things that we believe they need to do is do an environmental review, which would have the further component of looking at what the actual impact would be."

Proposed improvements include the expansion of the existing boat launch, new canoe pavilions, boat storage and repair facilities, an ocean activity center, a marina and store, new restrooms, a canoe-kayak center and shoreline access to the state park through a public promenade.

Also proposed are a marina administrative office, land department office, maintenance facility and public access pier.

Several permits as well as an environmental impact statement would need to be completed before the project can proceed to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

In addition to the meeting Wednesday morning, the state also planned to present plans to the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood board meeting Wednesday night.

"Community-based planning for improved management and upkeep of state recreational facilities is a leading objective of the Abercrombie administration’s New Day plan," department director William Aila said in a news release. "We invite the community to get involved with our master planning process, and to share their thoughts, issues, and concerns about the new marina and park improvements at Sand Island."