A new, intriguing concept is starting to unfold in “Our Kakaako” — so new, in fact, that traditional definitions of public space will need to be watched carefully to ensure that “our” collective access doesn’t narrow over time to become just “theirs.”

As new tenants move into the upcoming towers in Kakaako, not only are they paying commonplace maintenance fees for their condo upkeep, amenities and such, they also are being assessed another $15 to $45 monthly to help caretake and support the district. Two new urban community associations — each steered by the area’s two major developers, Howard Hughes Corp. and Kamehameha Schools — will be deciding how these assessments will be used, ranging possibly from operating public gathering spaces, to hosting community events, to security patrols, to transportation and parking services.

Owners of future commercial buildings in the area also will be paying this community fee.

The positives and potential for these new urban community associations are obvious. Upkeeping a vibrant, gentrified community will take money, and the developers have a transformative vision for this masterplanned district.

Already, Kamehameha Schools’ 29-acre, nine-block “Our Kakaako” is coming alive with rental apartments, the SALT retail complex and hip eateries.

Howard Hughes will be an even bigger player, with its 60-acre masterplan calling for over a dozen towers for residential, commercial and retail uses. Waiea, its first tower at Ward Village, opened last month, and another three are now under construction.

With tenants chipping in with community fees, events such as Kamehameha Schools’ monthly Honolulu Night Market can easily be seen as wholly inclusive, welcoming to both area denizens as well as the general public. And a key feature of Hughes’ re-imagined Ward Village will be three landscaped public plazas, including a 3.3-acre central one as a public gathering space.

Just what defines public or private, though, could become a salient question. The two community associations, backed by their tenants’ fees, will bear much responsibility for the security and upkeep of the district — as well as control over access to public streets and spaces. Kakaako’s growing tenant population will have expectations for their community-fee pay-in — and depending on what those become, conflicts could arise.

Already, Howard Hughes is being questioned on its commitment to open and public places. “Years ago, the first public showing of the Ward Neighborhood Master Plan was impressive with a proposed Diamond Head Plaza, Central Plaza, the Auahi Street Pedestrian Promenade with increased traffic lanes, trees and greenery, lots of public facilities and open spaces everywhere,” Kapiolani resident Clara K. Morikawa wrote this month to the Hawaii Community Development Authority in opposing Hughes’ latest proposed tower, A‘ali‘i.

But, “with each new project, their plans for the open spaces have slowly diminished. This cannot be!! The Ward Master Plan promised 6.5 acres for public plaza and other open spaces, an additional 7.6 acres for new public streets and pedestrian ways, and 2.4 acres of public facilities. All of this open space (was) to be available to the public and not only to project residents.”

Indeed, such tension between the area’s public inclusion and private exclusion cannot be overlooked. Public thoroughfares and community open spaces need to be regarded with zeal, to ensure that private interests don’t close off promised public spaces over time. It was overzealous security at Ko Olina, for example, that at one time risked general access to the public shoreline before protests eased overreaching restrictions.

Keeping urbanization in the urban core is at the heart of Kakaako’s grand promise: housing at various price points, retail shops, entertainment and dining, open spaces, public gathering spots. Let’s ensure the promises are met — particularly that public gathering spots emerge, for all to access and enjoy.