CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Debris was visible on the roof of the now-closed Makittii buffet restaurant Wednesday.
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The Queen Emma Land Co. is demolishing the former Makittii Hawaii Japanese restaurant at 2380 Kuhio Ave. to make way for redevelopment of the site.
The landowner said it has issued a request for proposal for a developer, but the process is ongoing.
“(Queen Emma Land) is still negotiating an agreement with one of the bidders and therefore unable to disclose the terms and conditions or the project plans at this time,” said spokesman Cedric Yamanaka. “In the interim, (Queen Emma Land) has decided to demolish the former Makittii Restaurant building due to its deteriorating condition.”
The Hello Kitty-themed buffet restaurant abruptly closed a year ago after failing to get a lease extension from the landlord.
Before closing, the eatery was fined $35,000 and ordered to shut down by health inspectors after several food safety and sanitation violations. The Health Department later restored the food establishment permit and let it reopen.
The property is currently zoned for an apartment and mixed use, which could include retail on the ground floor.
“You’re right in Waikiki, so it’s well situated to capitalize on residential,” said Mike Hamasu, director of research and development at Colliers International. “The reason why you don’t see a lot of apartments being built is oftentimes the rent doesn’t justify the development costs. The most recent projects have to incorporate affordable housing in it. It’s very difficult … making it feasible based on market rents.”
