Coffeehouse near UH closer to losing lease

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

A coffeehouse that has been a hangout for University of Hawai'iiManoa students and faculty for nearly two decades could be forced to close if the UH College of Education is successful in leasing the building and converting it to meeting and office space.

The Atherton YMCA building at the corner of Sea View and University avenues is used by community groups for dance classes, African drumming and other activities including the Coffeeline Campus Coffeehouse, which has a lease from the YMCA.

Following a UH Board of Regents meeting and a groundswell of community support last year, interim President David McClain said the administration would try to find a way in which community groups could be accommodated in the spacious wood-floored activity center, Coffeeline could continue to operate and the College of Education would still get the office space it needs.

Coffeeline proprietor Dennis Suyeoka said based on McClain's comment, he felt his location was safe, but now understands the College of Education is trying again to lease the entire building, forcing everyone out.

"It's frustrating. I'm fighting it every step of the way," Suyeoka said. "Everybody thought the matter was solved last year. We are the only nearby venue where a UH person can meet with people from the outside world without actually being on campus."

Kingery said yesterday that he needs a city conditional use permit to allow the college to use the building and is talking with the YMCA about a lease that would not include the Coffeeline.

Kingery said the college stretches from Dole to Metcalf streets on the 'ewa side of University Avenue and recent program growth has left the school in desperate need of leasable office space. He said the YMCA building is near the college, and would become home for their Center for Disability Studies.

"It's almost empty right now," Kingery said. "We have grown rapidly in recent years, particularly in our research arm."

The college has four offices in the building and the move would be paid for with existing federal funds, he said.

Kingery said he doesn't need Manoa board approval for the city use permit, but he is required to address any concerns the board members might have.

Unless the city Department of Planning and Permitting requires a public hearing, Kingery hopes to go before the UH Board of Regents for approval again in either July or September and occupy the property in October.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.