Researchers may soon have to vacate the Kewalo Marine Laboratory — one of only two marine labs in the state — after University of Hawai'i officials struck an agreement that will expand the Cancer Research Center in Kaka'ako.

At an August meeting of the Hawaii Community Development Authority, which oversees development in Kaka'ako, UH agreed to vacate its lease of the Kewalo lab within the next five years, even though the lease runs until 2030.

In exchange, the university hopes to develop its cancer center next to the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Kaka'ako.

"We sort of feel like the rug got pulled out from underneath us," said Mark Martindale, director of the Kewalo lab.

He warned that the closing will eliminate an "active, productive and valuable" research lab.

The lab, built in 1972, employs about 40 people, including four principal investigators, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students and other support staff.

Gary Ostrander, vice chancellor for research and the director of the Pacific Biosciences Research Center, of which the lab is a part, said UH is working with the researchers to find them a suitable space. Options include facilities at UH-Manoa, Waikiki Aquarium or Coconut Island in Kane'ohe, the location of UH's other marine lab.

"The fact is that the facilities continue to deteriorate, and replacing the facility was not in the long-term plans of the university," Ostrander said.

He said two different developers have estimated it would cost about $31.5 million to redevelop the lab.

"We're at a position where we're saying we can't keep the marine lab open," Ostrander said.

Ostrander said the university is trying to find suitable research and work space for the Kewalo lab scientists.

But the scientists say the alternatives are unacceptable.

"The university is trading us away for the cancer center," Martindale said.

Martindale said the marine lab might have to forfeit several million dollars in federal research grants if it were to lose its shoreline laboratory with its access to the ocean.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority has made clear that it covets the land where the lab now sits.

Anthony Ching, executive director of HCDA, said the agency wants to expand Kaka'ako Waterfront Park.

"We would be using the site for park purposes. That would be consistent and desirable whenever you can secure space near the water's edge," he said.