Posted on: Friday, December 3, 2004

EDITORIAL
New Kaka'ako plan fits long-term vision

The latest plans announced for Victoria Ward Ltd.'s property in Kaka'ako further cement the thought that this near-downtown area is finally reaching its full potential.

Ward wants to build a complex of shops, rental housing and parking on the lot opposite Ward Center, which now features Starbucks and other retail outlets.

While the $100 million plan would add considerable density to the location, it is far less than the maximum that could be built on the site. For instance, plans for one of two residential towers have been dropped.

The mantra of Victoria Ward for years has been that it wants to create a destination where people can "play, work and live."

This latest addition appears to fit perfectly with that vision. Slowly but surely, Kaka'ako is becoming what had been envisioned when the state took over the area as a development zone decades ago: a bustling, mixed-use neighborhood that complements the downtown business district.