Posted on: Thursday, June 28, 2001

Council urges study of new zoo location

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Bureau

A City Council committee yesterday recommended a detailed study of the merits of moving the Honolulu Zoo out of Waikiki to a sprawling location at Kalaeloa — the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station.

The idea of moving the zoo, which has been hampered by complaints ranging from shabby exhibition areas for the animals to mediocre food at the snack bar, has been tossed around for years. But Councilman John DeSoto says the political timing this year could work to move the zoo, with its declining attendance, to a bigger, better area.

Yesterday, the City Council's Policy Committee, which includes all nine council members, debated the issue and a majority of members voted to urge the city administration to undertake a study that contains marketing information and the financial consequences of such a move.

Not everyone is convinced the zoo should go anywhere.

If the city moves the zoo out of Waikiki, City Council Budget Chairman Steve Holmes said, "we're basically walking away from millions of dollars of investments."

Holmes said he was concerned that the proposed move also undermines the efforts of the volunteer society that supports the zoo.

He asked that the analysis include a marketing study and a master plan as to what would replace the zoo, as well as weighing the advantages of keeping it on the edge of the state's visitor center on its 42-acre site.

Council Policy Chairman Romy Cachola asked that the city also study the possibility the zoo could be privately operated.

Missing from yesterday's meeting were Chairman Jon Yoshimura and John Henry Felix, both of whom were traveling, and Andy Mirikitani, who is awaiting the conclusion of his trial in federal court on charges that include theft, bribery and extortion.

Council members also voted to extend the time Mayor Jeremy Harris' administration be given to complete the study from 30 days to 120 days.

Harris has said that he is open to the study and believes that city staff can conduct the analysis without paying a private consultant to do the work.

Council member Rene Mansho said the move to Kalaeloa has some merit but raised questions about taxpayers' investment in the zoo, such as $17.5 million spent on the creation of a natural-habitat type savanna area. "We wouldn't have spent all this money for the African savanna."

Barry Fukunaga, city director of the Department of Enterprise Services, said the study would ask residents and visitors about their preferences for the location and type of zoo.

If the zoo did move, Fukunaga said that some of its features — such as restrooms and landscaping — could be incorporated into a larger park, "so it's not a complete throwaway."