Condo planned for Kahala beach not so egregious
More than a dozen Kahala residents have banded together to Keep Kahala Kahala, filing a lawsuit against a plan that would put three luxury two-story duplex homes along the neighborhood’s beachfront.
Never mind the garish, hulking mansions that dot the current Kahala beachfront. For the nonprofit Friends of Kahala, the anticipated proliferation of multifamily condominiums presents a much bigger threat.
It’s unclear, though, whether the staunch opposition to the condos will garner much sympathy from those who live beyond Kahala’s borders.
The artist’s rendering of the duplex development by landowner Alexander &Baldwin Inc. depicts a tasteful plan that blends in with the surrounding community, and a marked improvement over the shambles the property was in when billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto owned it. Plus, it would be hard to argue the development is illegal if it falls in line with current zoning restrictions — which A&B contends it does.
Residents such as Lucinda Pyles argue A&B is not looking to be a good neighbor, but instead is “looking for a return on investment.”
Pyles said she and her husband, John, have called the neighborhood home for four decades, and do not want the character of the neighborhood to change.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
But the neighborhood, which once was home to pig farms in the 1800s, has been evolving since Native Hawaiians began settling in the area in the late 1700s.
Time has not stood still for Kahala, so it seems difficult for residents to make the argument that luxury low-rise condominiums would ruin the neighborhood, and aren’t just another step in Kahala’s progression.
Yet the Friends of Kahala claims in the suit that allowing A&B’s project will inspire nonresident speculators, particularly Chinese investors, to convert single-family residential properties into luxury condos in Kahala and other neighborhoods.
Further, the suit says projects like these inflate property values and have a “seriously detrimental impact” on the character of Kahala and surrounding neighborhoods.
Residents, ultimately, don’t want Kahala to resemble any other Southern California beachfront neighborhood, where duplexes are the norm rather than the exception. But waterfront condo developments already are a reality across much of Hawaii’s main islands.
Whether the Friends of Kahala can ban them from their neighborhood remains to be seen. After all, it’s not a special-design district like historic Haleiwa town.
The unique lawsuit, if nothing else, has potential to create delay.
Under A&B’s timeline, permitting could be done by 2017, allowing construction to be finished in 2019.
Still, residents hold out hope that A&B will alter its plans, although it’s doubtful the company would back away from its $40-$45 million development.
Ultimately, these Kahala residents might not have enough ammunition to make the case for keeping the condos out of Kahala. Still, it’s always good to see folks cherishing their neighborhood enough to take on the fight.
24 responses to “Condo planned for Kahala beach not so egregious”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
An ever evolving neighborhood; any doubt about A&B’s development objectives?
There are few news stories more undeserving of coverage than these upset Kahala residents. Look around, it is happening everywhere. In Kaimuki, the large lots are now being developed into two, if not three, homes with inadequate driveways and parking, forcing homeowners onto neighborhood streets. But when A&B proposes a nice off-street development on a huge waterfront lot in Kahala, the wealthy homeowners chant “keep Kahala Kahala.” Really?
agree..butt eh real problem is that the area is a wasteland. Portlock and Manoa are far better communities. SA is right that the hideous and very artificial “mansions” are an embarrassment. As one owner told me, “all we got as a public meeting space is the Kahala Mall.” Sad stuff.
People in Kahala are very rich and powerful.
I’d back them if they used those riches and power to get us a real newspaper in this town.
Local residents uppitiness being tested to the utmost by a big time developer, A&B? Who will win, community or developer? Money talks so who has more at stake?
What’s in the future for Kahala? More condos and hotels?
Actually, there is no need for condos in Kahala. Someone will buy the land and build a large house. And building on the makai side is not good for the shoreline.
A&B is going about its business as a for profit company should. If anyone buys land and makes plans consistent with zoning, etc, why does this make a huge difference? Increased density is a fact of life.
true..A and B will prevail. I have no party for the rich, spoiled whiners in Kahala that do zip for this community.
Prove it allie.
pity I mean to type. As for what they do or don’t do for the general community, look it up. It is public information how little they do. People of Kalihi and Waianae do much more.
Wow Allie! “…do for the general community” is a pretty broad and vague description. Before agreeing, I’d like to see more specificity and evaluation of the worth of the different kinds of “do.”
I think those people in Kahala pay a lot more taxes than the average person. They also own and/or run a lot of Hawaii businesses.
The project meets zoning requirements, what’s the basis for the lawsuit?
knee jerk NIMBYism
A&B was hailed as a hero when it bought all the eyesore properties sold to billionaire Kawamoto. As for complaints A&B wants to profit on it’s investment… all I can say is DUH. It’s a business. Not a non profit. (Or worse the state which only knows how to lose money). You want to blame someone for changing the face of Kahala ave? Well then blame yourselves. It was your friends, your, neighbors, and possibly even you who sold off to Kawamoto to do the same think A&B is doing. Turn a profit on your investment. And oh, one more thing. If they weren’t your friends that’s on you. I know I like to spend lots of time outside, talking story with my neighbors, enjoying a cold beer etc. If you only hide in your mansions, many of which are far more gaudy that the proposed condos, you’ll never notice the change around you anyway!
The same type of residents cried foul when Paul Sullivan was subdividing properties all along Kailua beach! It’s legal! What the Kahala residents should do is petition for reclassification of the neighborhood. Good luck!
NIMBY NIMBY NIMBY.
BUILD ’em, Danno!!
As long as it isn’t on the makai side of the road!
I hope none of the executive staff members of the Star Advertisor or any of the editorial staff has any personal interest in this proposed development.
I fully support the people in Kahala. I could never afford to live there, but those that can and have purchased expensive homes on the ocean have a good point. We are overdeveloping Oahu, so hooray for a neighborhood which stands up to try and preserve its quality. Where I live, the developers are ruining the skyline with cramped building and it looks lousy. We need planners with vision to approve or disapprove these developments. The zoning is ridiculous as is.
Residents such as Lucinda Pyles argue A&B is not looking to be a good neighbor, but instead is “looking for a return on investment.”
How do you think Kawamoto got his hands on all those Kahala properties in the first place? “Good neighbors” being given the deal of their lifetimes taking the money and running.
Give me a break!
Want some cheese with all those whines? Get a life. Sell your expensive house and move to Kalihi.
I don’t understand. Why would anyone spend $8 million to buy a condo there? Each condo is only going to be 5,000 sq. ft. Can’t they buy a large single family home on a big lot there for that much money? Has Kahala property values gone up that much?