Gentry planning project in Kane'ohe

By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer

The residential developer plans to build 17 or 18 single-family homes on the parcel, which in the late '90s almost became an apartment complex for seniors over the objections of area residents.

Gentry has yet to finalize plans for the project or apply for permits, but it said its design will fit in with the neighborhood.

The company, a major builder of homes, mostly in Leeward O'ahu, bought the Windward property mauka of Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery last week from a family trust in California.

A purchase price was not disclosed. Local real estate firm Colliers Monroe Friedlander had listed the site for sale at $2.8 million. The city for property tax purposes values the property at $682,500, of which $600,000 is for land.

Local developer Zane Development Group bought the property in 1995 for $1.3 million and proposed building an 81-unit, two-story apartment complex that would offer assisted care to the elderly.

The plan ran into opposition, but was granted a conditional-use permit by the city Department of Land Utilization in 1997.

Zane Development obtained a building permit and announced plans to begin construction in 1999, but never commenced work on the site, which Zane lost after a foreclosure lawsuit was filed in 2000.

Charles DeHont of The DeHont Family Revocable Trust acquired the property two years ago out of foreclosure and considered building a 20- to 24-lot residential subdivision, but sold the property to Gentry instead.

Gentry has been building homes in Hawai'i since 1968.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadver tiser.com or 525-8065.