Ke'ehi tract to get industrial makeover

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

A state plan to improve a light industrial area at Ke'ehi Lagoon's Pier 60 would bring much-needed infrastructure upgrades to the busy neighborhood, but the project will permanently displace dozens of tenants.

The project will create seven industrial lots ranging in size from seven-tenths of an acre to up to six acres. There are about 40 businesses now on small lots using the same area. The state Department of Transportation's Harbors Division has filed a draft detailing the effect of the project on the environment. The department is accepting public comments on the draft until Feb. 7.

Earl Matsukawa, consultant for the project with Wilson Okamoto & Associates Inc., said the site layout was determined after looking at the needs of prospective tenants of the proposed development.

"The configuration may change," Matsukawa said. "We asked potential tenants about sizes. As they lease it out, they can figure out what the shapes are and the number of tenants. It is intended to be flexible."

But Matsukawa said this is a long-range project and there is no time schedule for the proposed development. All tenants will be given adequate time to move when the development begins, he said.

"It may not even go because there is a possibility of some bad stuff in the soil," Matsukawa said. "It is not a guaranteed thing."

	Send your comments
•	To comment on the Ke'ehi Industrial Lots Development Plan, send a letter with copies for the consultant and the state Office of Environmental Quality Control by Feb. 7 to: State Department of Transportation Harbors Division 79 S. Nimitz Highway Honolulu, HI 96813

The DOT wants to ease congestion at Honolulu Harbor and move harbor-related businesses to the area. Most of the 40 users now at the site are not maritime-related and operate under 30-day revocable permits.

Michael Saito, controller of Honolulu Recovery Systems and one of the 40 tenants, said that although it is not directly marine-related, his company is dependent on shipping and being forced to move could cripple the business.

"We don't use the waterfront, but we need to be in close proximity to Sea-Land (CSX Lines) shipping," said Saito, whose company recycles and ships bulk paper to mills in the Philippines and China. "In a month we ship between 70 and 75 containers of recycled paper goods. About 3 1/2 million pounds of paper products that are compressed, bailed and placed in containers and shipped to Asia."

Saito said the business has been at the same location for more than 10 years and has built two large warehouses on-site. There is electricity and limited water, but no sewer lines for its 34 employees, who must use portable toilets. Nevertheless, he hopes to stay in the area.

"I think we were overlooked as a so-called recycler," Saito said. "Being in close proximity to Sea-Land, right there over the bridge, helps us a lot."

Other businesses in the area include concrete makers, storage yards, boat construction and repair and small manufacturing.

La Mariana owner Annette Nahinu, who isn't one of the tenants who would have to move, supports the plan if it improves the look of the area, keeps down dust and brings in sewage hook-ups.

"If they fix it up, it will make my place a little more attractive," Nahinu said. "All the dust and sand is very bad."

The state expects to file a finding that the project will not have a significant impact before moving forward with the development.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.