Businesses closer to getting boot from 'Waikiki gateway'

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

Amid protests from landowners, the City Council yesterday approved the first step toward creating a beautified "gateway to Waikiki" that would involve condemning five properties across from the Hawai'i Convention Center.

Yesterday's action put the proposed Convention Center Redevelopment District on city planning maps.

That sets the stage for moving forward with condemnation and other action designed to eliminate strip clubs, hostess bars and X-rated establishments from the area near the center.

City managing director Ben Lee said he has been meeting with the landowners and their representatives to try to see if compromises can be reached to improve the area while working with the landowners.

Ken Ryan, whose family has owned one of the properties for decades, said he would like to have his property exempted, but isn't very hopeful.

"From deep down in my heart, I know that I can't stop this," Ryan 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 a few months.

Council member Steve Holmes reminded opponents that there will be other opportunities to debate the matter before any land is condemned.

In other action, the Council yesterday also approved a resolution that will pay for the new United Public Workers contract, which covers most blue-collar city workers.

That pact earmarks about $1 million for a deferred compensation plan but the resolution approved won't allow release of the deferred compensation money until there has been a "final judgment" that the plan is legal under Hawai'i law.