Posted on: Friday, April 8, 2005

EDITORIAL
Move cautiously on OHA office complex

The idea of a waterfront Office of Hawaiian Affairs office complex and a Hawaiian cultural center on state land is an ambitious plan but one that should not be rushed.

The proposal was presented this week before the state's Hawai'i Community Development Authority, which controls the proposed 5.2-acre Kaka'ako site for the $32 million project on ceded lands.

Elements of the Hawaiian cultural center would include an indoor community center, an outdoor hula performance area, a canoe hale, a practice area for Polynesian navigation methods and taro fields.

OHA would move into 60,000 square feet of space in the complex, vacating its current rented Cooke Street offices. And its officials suggest that the office could become the headquarters for a Native Hawaiian government — if the federal recognition bill now pending in Congress wins approval.

That's yet another reason to proceed cautiously.

OHA plans to use mostly its own money, including bond issues, but has asked for $6 million in state funds because the project would include a community center that the public could use.

The development authority clearly needs to review the proposal carefully. A Hawaiian cultural center would be an asset to the local community as well as an attraction for visitors. However, with land in the Kaka'ako area in such high demand, officials need to consider what would be the site's highest and best use.

OHA expects that it would take at least 2ý years for completion of the project, with more detailed feasibility studies to come. That should include adequate public review and enough time to weigh all the options.