A state board governing development in Kakaako deliberated in private with a state attorney for 2-1/2 hours Wednesday over whether it should grant a permit for another condominium tower at Ward Village.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority board heard testimony on June 6 and 13 regarding the plan by developer Howard Hughes Corp. to build a 400-foot tower called Ko‘ula.

At Wednesday’s meeting, HCDA staff recommended granting the permit, but the board did not make a decision.

Another meeting to finish deliberations is scheduled for Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. in an HCDA conference room 547 Queen St.

If approved, Ko‘ula is expected to be the sixth tower built at Ward Village where Hughes Corp. has a master plan to develop 16 towers and 1 million square feet of retail space on 60 acres. Two towers are done and another two are under construction. Three others were previously permitted, though Hughes Corp. said in May that it canceled plans for two of those towers as part of redesigning pieces of its master plan.

ON THE MOVE

>> Hawaii Tech Support has announced that Herman Wong is the new help desk technician. His responsibilities include responding to ticket submissions and customer calls as well as providing chat, phone and remote help desk support. Wong also supports IT planning and problem resolution and the setup of network services and equipment.

>> The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii has announced that Carole Haya­shino, president and executive director, will retire from the cultural center by the end of this year. She has served in those roles for the past 6-1/2 years and has managed facilities, staff, programs and operations within the cultural center. Hayashino will stay at the cultural center until a successor is chosen to ensure a smooth transition. The JCCH Board of Directors started a nationwide search for a new president last month.