Aloha Market seeks permits in Halawa

By James Gonser
Advertiser Central Bureau

HALAWA — Developer Warren Ho wants to build a $1 million commercial building between the USS Arizona Memorial Museum and Aloha Stadium and has filed a draft environmental assessment with the state detailing plans for the project.

	Where to send comments
•	To comment on the project, send a letter with three copies for the city Department of Planning and Permitting, the consultant and the state Office of Environmental Quality Control by the Sept. 7 deadline.
•	Send comments to: Lani Properties, 50 S. Beretania St., Suite C203 Ho-nolulu, HI 96813. Attention: Warren Ho

The project is called Aloha Market and will be built on a 31,000-square-foot parcel on Kamehameha Highway near Makalapa Manor and Pu'uwai Momi public housing project. Kohomau Street cuts through the property.

The structure will cover 8,000 square feet with 24 parking stalls and one loading stall. The convenience store would be open 24 hours a day.

"It is basically a neighborhood grocery story with a delicatessen," Ho said. "I grew up and still live in the area and started out with a small neighborhood grocery story that is not too far from there. I think the timing is good to dress up that stretch."

Ho and project consultant George Atta with Group 70 International have made several public presentations on the market including some before area neighborhood boards.

Mark Taylor, a member of the Aliamanu/Salt Lake/Foster Village Neighborhood Board, said some residents showed interest in having a convenience store nearby, but others were concerned about alcohol being sold at the market.

"Liquor has come up as a concern," Atta said. "Liquor is being considered and we are looking at the economics of it. We are not sure at this point. A decision won't be made until sometime down the line."

Atta said the project will go through the environmental assessment process before the company applies for a zoning change from R-5 (residential) to B-2 (business). More public meetings will be held to update residents on the plans.

Free office space will be set aside on the second floor for police officers to write reports, make phone calls and rest, Atta said.

"That area has in the past had some gatherings late at night and the question of crime has been raised," Atta said. "The feeling is that if you have a police presence, even if they are not there all the time, but moving in and out, it would tend to discourage crime. It is just for the convenience of the police. They have not said yes."

Improvements also include redesigning roadway circulation to support the neighboring community, including construction of a right-turn access to Kohomua Street from northbound Kamehameha Highway.

Another proposal would put a war memorial museum/retail shop in the building, drawing on the proximity to Pearl Harbor.

"The primary market is the adjacent housing with some overflow of traffic going to (Aloha) stadium or people going to the Arizona Memorial," Atta said. "It is close enough and they may want to get a shave ice or something. Others have suggested a hula halau or a high-tech training center. The second-floor retail space is undefined, so any number of uses could go in that would be appropriate."

The company hopes to complete permit requirements by spring 2002 and start construction in the summer.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 988-1383.