Posted on: Thursday, April 26, 2001

Plan to condemn five properties in Waikiki for 'gateway' opposed

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

A plan by Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris to condemn five properties on a one-acre parcel across from the Hawai'i Convention Center as part of his vision to beautify the "gateway to Waikiki" ran into opposition yesterday from the affected business owners and landowners.

Ken Ryan, whose family has owned one of the properties for decades, said they had no warning that condemnation was being contemplated until last month.

"It was shocking and it left me a little violated," he said.

Attorney Allen Wolff, representing lessee Daiichi Hawaii Real Estate Corp., pointed out that his client's tenants are not strip clubs, hostess bars or other adult businesses.

"Government should not be so swift and so cavalier in its zeal to take away valuable private property that belongs to another," Wolff said.

Harris is moving forward with a plan to replace the existing buildings with scenic landscaping and a low-rise development on the 'ewa/mauka corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Kapi'olani Boulevard. The mayor has included $6 million in the city budget to buy the properties.

The businesses include the popular strip bar Club Rock-Za, a defunct restaurant and several businesses including Da Hui, a surf shop that has been open only four months.

Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura said that he hopes that some compromises can be reached, such as exploring working with landowners to redevelop the site.