EDITORIAL
Latest Kaka'ako plans make good sense

The on-again, off-again development of Kaka'ako in downtown Honolulu appears to have taken a positive step forward this week with release of a new urban development plan from a private New York consultant firm.

The firm, Cooper Robertson & Partners, along with San Francisco-based economic analysis firm Sedway Group, urged a low-rise, relatively low-impact mix of residential, commercial, academic and institutional uses.

What is significant is that the consultant's plan breaks boundaries between the various landowners in Kaka'ako to propose a unified approach to the area. This will be critical if the pieces of the Kaka'ako puzzle are ever to fit together into one well-planned whole.

The idea for a comprehensive plan was pushed by the University of Hawai'i and President Evan Dobelle. UH becomes a major player in Kaka'ako development with its new biomedical facility, which is to break ground in 60 to 90 days.

Other major players include the state, which controls the Hawai'i Community Development Authority, Ward Estate and Kamehameha Schools, which paid for the consultant study.

We were particularly pleased with the words of Stanford Murata, director of commercial assets for Kamehameha Schools: "We at Kamehameha Schools feel that, as responsible community builders, we need to look at the long term — not only what gives financial value but also what gives social value."

That's a sound philosophy to guide the overall development of Kaka'ako, which should be an urban harborfront jewel that will make all Hawai'i proud.