honoluluadvertiser.com
Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Navy turns Kalaeloa over to a developer | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper
Posted on: Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Navy turns Kalaeloa over to a developer

Advertiser Staff

The Navy yesterday confirmed that it has formally conveyed 499 acres of former Barbers Point Naval Air Station land to a private developer, and both parties promised to make the transition a smooth one for the public.

Officials with the Navy and Ford Island Properties LLC, in a news release, said the company will take possession of the property early next year and eventually acquire title to the land.

"The Navy is fully committed to working FIP and all concerned stakeholders ... to ensure that the transition of the remaining Navy-owned facilities to FIP will be as smooth and seamless as possible," said Rear Adm. Townsend G. Alexander, commander of Navy Region Hawai'i and the Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific.

Members of the public had criticized the Navy for foot-dragging while the fate of facilities widely used by West O'ahu residents was unresolved.

Under the agreement:

  • Public use of Ford and Pointer fields, both heavily used by area football and baseball leagues, can continue under a licensing agreement with the city.

  • The Barbers Point Bowling Center, closed Oct. 1, is expected to reopen under the management of a private vendor within two weeks. Negotiations are under way with Ford Island Properties.

  • The Child Development Center, a childcare facility for about 50 military dependent youths, will continue to be operated by the Navy while Ford Island Properties negotiates with a private childcare provider.

  • The Navy Commissary, a Touch 'n Go Mini-Mart Gas Station, Subway and West Oahu Federal Credit Union will all also remain open "for the foreseeable future," Navy spokeswoman Agnes Tauyan said.

  • The fate of the 'Ewa Marine Corps Air Station, which was bombed during the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, is being discussed with the state Historic Preservation Division to ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

    The Navy will continue to operate the Barbers Point Golf Course, picnic areas and cottages at White Plains and Nimitz beaches, which were not part of the transfer.

    Barbers Point Naval Air Station was closed in 1999. The transfer was mandated by the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act, which required the Navy to sell off the Kalaeloa parcel, as well as other properties, in order to finance develop Ford Island.

    Ford Island Properties initially leased lands on Ford Island for a housing development but the Navy raised concerns about civilian homes in an active military base. Ford Island Properties later agreed to give up the land at Ford Island for the 499 acres in Kalaeloa.

    • Advertisement
    Advertisement