Appeal of plan to build tower on Waikiki beach moves forward

An appeal of a zoning variance allowing Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts to build what would be the first new Waikiki oceanfront hotel in more than 30 years is slated to be heard next month, after an attempt failed Thursday to disqualify a group of opponents from the process.

The city Zoning Board of Appeals decided to let environmental groups Hawaii’s Thousand Friends, Surfrider Foundation, KAHEA — The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance and Ka Iwi/Sandy Beach Coalition proceed with their appeal generally based on arguments that the proposed 26-story tower would degrade their enjoyment of the beach.

One opponent was removed from the case, preservation advocate Michelle Matson, because the board disagreed that the tower would hurt views from her home about a mile away on the slopes of Diamond Head.

Kyo-ya sought to block the appeal on grounds that none of the opponents demonstrated that they would suffer personal harm from the tower intended to replace the existing eight-story Diamond Head wing connected to the historic portion of the Moana Surfrider Hotel.

The board ruled 3-0 that recreational interests are valid contentions of harm under case law. Board members also agreed that Matson didn’t meet requirements for appealing. The votes were cast by Ronald Omo­gori, Rebecca Copeland and Antonio Saguibo Jr. Two other members, Dave Mori and Lyle Ishida, did not attend the meeting. Ishida has previously recused himself from the case due to a conflict of interest.

Kyo-ya received the zoning variance from David Tanoue, director of the city Department of Planning and Permitting, in December 2010. The variance allows the tower, which is tentatively planned with 185 hotel rooms and 40 condominium units, to violate ground and height-setback rules established to provide open space fronting the beach.

The board is set to hear arguments on the merits of the appeal on March 22, and has blocked out April 5 if the hearing needs more time.