Haseko alters 'Ewa development plan
By James Gonser
Advertiser Leeward Bureau
Haseko ('Ewa) Inc. has scaled back plans for its Ocean Pointe development in 'Ewa and released a draft supplemental environmental assessment detailing the changes.
Haseko is asking for zoning changes to accommodate a smaller marina, a reconfiguration of its golf course plan and increased residential and commercial areas. The public has until May 23 to submit comments on the proposal.
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To submit comments: Send a letter with three copies to Haseko ('Ewa) Inc., 820 Mililani St. Suite 820, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Nelson W.G. Lee, executive vice president of Haseko ('Ewa), said the 1,100-acre, master-planned residential community is already configured and zoned, the company simply wants to move some of the components around.
"It is a long-term project and the economics have changed over the last 10 or 20 years," Lee said. "It was zoned in 1993 at the zenith of the Japanese speculative period. Our plan was bullish based on Japanese economics. (The revision) is an admission of the realities of the economic climate today."
According to the assessment, the marina is being reduced from 120 acres to 70 acres but will still have 1,400 boat slips.
The upper basin section of the marina, for private slips connected to adjoining residential developments, has been eliminated.
Seven boat-launching ramps, parking for 150 trailers, public parking, a boat wash area, restrooms and showers open 24 hours a day remain in the plans as the state requires.
At least half of the boat slips in the marina will be available to the public at market rates.
During a meeting to address environmental and infrastructure issues, Haseko and the city agreed that some of the original development plans could have negative effects on drainage, and the developer agreed to adjust the master plan.
The upper basin will become part of the golf course, which will be a more effective part of the regional storm water drainage infrastructure, according to the assessment. The golf course also will be reduced from 27 holes to 18.
The number of housing units within the project will be limited to the 4,850 already approved, but they will be spread out over a larger area.
Another proposed change to the master plan is the addition of a community business area adjacent to the district park at the project's northeast corner for stores to serve the adjacent residents. Also planned is a combination of 950 resort condos and hotel rooms as an accessory to the marina.
More than 400 single-family and townhomes have already been sold at Ocean Pointe, Lee said, and the entire project will take 12 to 15 years to unfold, depending on the economic climate.
After the public comment period, the assessment will go back to the state for review. If it is approved, Haseko can then ask the city to approve its zoning changes.
