Civil Cafe: A Chat with Kamehameha Schools
You may have seen or heard the phrase before. .
It’s attached to a number of popular community events in the area, from the family-friendly “” food truck festivals, to the monthly , and the annual internationally renowned street art project .
It’s also the umbrella phrase for Kamehameha Schools’ master plan to redevelop nine blocks in Kakaako. This includes seven towers with 2,750 housing units, and developing 300,000 square feet of commercial space.
We’re happy to announce our first #CivilCafe event for 2014: a conversation about Kakaako’s future with two Kamehameha Schools executives — Paul Quintiliani, senior director of the commercial real estate division, and Vice President for Endowment Elizabeth Hokada.
The Civil Cafe with Kamehameha Schools is slated for 6 p.m., March 13. As usual, you are all invited to our newsroom, but please so we can get a proper head count. The conversation will be livestreamed on our site with a live chat function.
On Twitter, use the hashtag #CivilCafe to ask questions and offer comments. We’ll address as many as we can.
Most recently, Hawaii’s largest private landowner revealed plans this week to build 183 housing units in Kakaako along Auahi, Keawe and Pohukaina streets.
But residents and lawmakers alike have growing concerns about the Hawaii Community Development Authority’s oversight over Kakaako development. The Howard Hughes Corp. is the other developer with master plans for the area.
In a , about 54 percent of residents said they believe too much development is happening too fast in Kakaako.
There is much concern over how , will be able to handle such a large influx of residents. Supporters of the project say it’s better to build up in Honolulu’s urban core to keep the country country.
Groups concerned about development are starting to organize. A nonprofit called was created, and also is lending its voice, as it’s strongly attached with the local hotel workers union, Unite Here! Local 5.
It’s telling, however, that in the Hawaii News Now poll, 57 percent of people under the age of 35 feel development is preferable in KakaÂako. As already mentioned, #OurKakaako also serves a number of youth interests, cultivating an urban culture that encourages creativity, entrepreneurship and a sense of community.
The HCDA and Kamehameha Schools have answered questions and concerns in a .
Still, lawmakers continue to to rein in the HCDA, which was created in 1976 to oversee the area’s development.
This next Civil Cafe is a rare opportunity to speak with two key decision makers in Kakaako’s development, and we hope you’ll join us. Remember, and join the conversation with #CivilCafe.
Contact Gene Park via email at gpark@civilbeat.com or Twitter at .
