City hopes to build park on Mo'ili'ili lot

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

The city is moving to acquire a dusty lot in Mo'ili'ili and transform it into the Kalo Place Mini Park, where residents of the dense urban area can walk, play and enjoy some open space.

In 1998, landowner Kamehameha Schools failed to gain approval for a proposed 21-story rental apartment on Kalo Place.

A total of 550 people signed a petition opposing commercial development of the nearly one-acre parcel, and a number of them began pushing for a small neighborhood park.

Tom Heinrich, chairman of the Manoa Neighborhood Board, said the location makai of H-1 Freeway between the University Avenue and South King Street off-ramps is ideal for a park.

The site may be best known as the former home of those two large, white ball-shaped gas storage tanks visible from the freeway near the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

About $1.2 million has been set aside by the city to begin acquisition of the property.

Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura said city officials have started discussions with Kamehameha Schools.

"There may be an opportunity to not spend that money and actually do some land swap," he said.

Yoshimura said that the city may be able to turn over to Kamehameha Schools some little-used segments of streets in Kaka'ako to help work out an agreement on the park.

Janet Inamine, who has lived in Mo'ili'ili for 20 years, said the park will be welcome greenery in area.

"Children are playing in the streets; they have no place to go," she said.

Councilman Andy Mirikitani was a key supporter of the proposal in his district.

The city's next step is to move to acquire the land, through condemnation if necessary.