Kailua park-and-ride proposed

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAILUA — A major Kailua landowner proposes to build a three- or four-story parking structure in the middle of this beach community, possibly doubling parking downtown, paving the way for development and providing an opportunity for a city park-and-ride facility.

The garage would be behind the new Longs Drug Store under construction on Kailua Road at the site of the former Arco gas station and would provide 800 to 1,200 new stalls, depending on the size of the building. The structure would be no more than 40 feet tall and would not be visible from Kailua Road, according to the foundation.

Parking would be free, and construction would not require the demolition of any structures, the foundation said.

Development in downtown Kailua is constrained by a lack of parking, and the deck could open the door to new building in a community with a history of opposition to large-scale development.

The Castle Foundation and the Castle Family Limited Partnership own a substantial amount of land in Kailua town that is under the management of Kaneohe Ranch Co. Ltd. The company has overseen improvements at a number of their properties over the past five years, including Kailua Village Shops, Kailua Foodland, and Kailua Shopping Center.

Mitch D'Olier, president and chief executive officer of both Castle Foundation and Kaneohe Ranch, said a multilevel garage was being considered for the future but Longs asked them to consider building it now because Longs didn't want the parking lot torn up after the new store opens.

D'Olier said he is preparing an economic analysis of the project at the same time he is seeking community input.

With no intention of charging customers to park in the structure, D'Olier said the best return from the investment would come from leasing the vacant retail space under Kaneohe Ranch's management.

Public opinion and the ability to lease spaces will play into the decision-making process, he said.

D'Olier also is drawing up plans for property Kaneohe Ranch manages on Hekili Street and other locations. Kaneohe Ranch is looking at improvements and new buildings, he said, adding that no new building is ready to go at this time, and renovation of the present Longs is the next project after the 30,000-square-foot drug store being built.

Plans call for the new Longs building to be ready in February 2004.

But other new development is contingent on more parking.

"I don't think it's responsible of us to think about new building without having adequate parking," D'Olier said.

Most retailers want four parking stalls for every 1,000 square feet of store space, said Molly Mosher-Cates, Kaneohe Ranch vice president. From Hekili Street to Kailua Road and from Starbucks to the new Longs, Kailua has 2.4 stalls per 1,000 square feet.

If the structure is built the city could partner with the Castle Foundation and provide a park-and-ride lot for the community on one of the garage's floors, said City Councilwoman Barbara Marshall, 3rd (Kane'ohe, Kailua, Waimanalo).

Marshall said the project appeals to her because it isn't obtrusive, and it provides an opportunity to partner with the foundation and build a facility for people who want to catch the bus to work.

Federal matching financing is available for this type of project, and Marshall said she was able to add $400,000 to the city budget for the park-and-ride. Mayor Jeremy Harris still must approve the budget.

Marshall said she didn't know about the need for more parking in Kailua, but she was certain that people have wanted a park-and-ride for years. The project is still iffy, she said.

The $400,000 will be available for federal matching money "if Kaneohe Ranch decides to go ahead with the project, and if we decide it's viable for us to do, and if we can get the federal matching funds," Marshall said.

Reactions to the project are mixed, with some wanting more parking and others opposing development that could change Kailua.

Brenda Lumeng, a Kailua resident for 33 years, said she understood that fences would be removed and trees planted, which appealed to her.

Lumeng said the project is acceptable since it wouldn't be visible from Kailua Road and parking is needed. Add-ing benches around the trees would be nice, Lumeng said.

"If they do that and dress it up a little bit, I could go along with it," she said.

Larry Bartley, a Kailua Neighborhood Board member, said he opposes development in Kailua but recognizes that the park-and-ride possibility has general appeal. Bartley said he's not opposed to the garage but felt he didn't have enough information to form an opinion.

But he said, "It's certainly going to change the nature of Kailua as we get more and more businesses."

Kathy Bryant-Hunter, Kailua Neighborhood Board chairwoman, said she's talking to people and getting mixed feedback on the idea. People have expressed concerns about safety and security, the homeless and changing the character of Kailua, she said.

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