Posted on: Friday, April 18, 2008
EWA UPDATE
Ocean Pointe's resort homes on sale in May
By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer
Haseko (Hawai'i) Inc. is about to make a major transition in the development of its master-planned community in 'Ewa Beach, with sales of its first resort homes next month and the opening of its private golf course this fall.
The shift to selling and building the two initial elements of Hoakalei Resort take Haseko into a new phase of what, until now, was a traditional residential community called Ocean Pointe begun by the company in 1997.
The developer is on pace to complete sales this year of the last 80 or so homes in the 2,500-home Ocean Pointe, which represents roughly half of the greater Ocean Pointe/Hoakalei project on 1,100 acres planned for 4,850 homes.
Next month, Haseko will begin selling the first phase of Hoakalei homes, priced from the mid-$500,000s to more than $1 million. Other pieces of the resort include an 18-hole Ernie Els-designed Hoakalei Country Club, a marina, vacation accommodations, a commercial center, a district park and expansion of the city's One'ula Beach Park.
Full buildout is anticipated to take 10 to 15 more years.
Here's a more detailed update of the components of Haseko's project:
Golf course: Construction began in 2006. Nine holes are complete. All 18 holes are projected to be ready for play in late September or October. A temporary clubhouse will substitute until the main facility is completed in 2009 or 2010. Haseko in the next 30 to 60 days plans to mail Hawai'i residents offers to become a member in the private club. Hoakalei Country Club's initiation fee is $30,000. Monthly dues still are being determined.
Marina: A basin for 600 to 800 boat slips is about 85 percent excavated. Digging the marina and fortifying its banks with 71,000 tons of giant granite rocks imported from China should be finished this year, but the facility isn't expected to be ready for use until 2010 or 2011.
Ocean Pointe homes: Five subdivisions with about 2,500 homes are nearly complete. About 80 homes are still available for sale.
Hoakalei Resort homes: About 2,350 homes are planned in this non-gated portion of Haseko's project. An initial subdivision called Ka Makana will have about 900 homes, including mostly single-family houses but also some townhomes and mid-rise condominiums. Fifteen single-family model homes are complete and will be opened for viewing tomorrow. Close to 20 homes, including some with golf course views, will be released for sale next month at prices from the mid-$500,000s to more than $1 million. Haseko expects 20 percent to 30 percent of sales will be to second-home buyers.
Hotel site: Haseko has permission to develop up to 950 visitor accommodation units, which could include a hotel, time-share or resort condos. This project adjacent to the marina is still in a conceptual planning stage. Development is anticipated in the next few years.
Commercial center: Restaurants, shops and possibly a festival marketplace are envisioned next to the hotel site. This project also is still in a conceptual planning stage with development anticipated in the next few years.
District park: an 18-acre district park site could be dedicated to the city this year, though designing an irrigation system using only nonpotable water has previously delayed the park.
One'ula Beach Park expansion: Haseko plans to donate 9.4 acres of beachfront land to the city for expanding the park next year. The developer also will contribute $2.25 million toward park improvements.
Keone'ula Elementary School: Opened last year with space for 740 children, though it is already over capacity.
Seagull School preschool: Opened last year with an initial enrollment limit of 180 children.
Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.
