Underground power lines, wider sidewalks and more shade trees.

The theme of a new, nonprofit-commissioned long-term plan for Manoa is simple: a few key changes to the community could highlight its good points and address its shortfalls.

"Our vision for Manoa is to keep it somewhat open and keep it green," said Scott Wilson, president of Malama o Manoa, which included a discussion of the plan in a newsletter just mailed out. "We also want to have a cohesive ... commercial district" that's pedestrian-friendly.

The organization has been working on the project for two years, and used $8,000 in grant money to make photo simulations of a revamped Manoa. The simulations depict the area in front of Starbucks and Safeway on East Manoa Road and a portion of Lowrey Avenue.

In one simulation, a two-story community hall was erected on a portion of the Safeway parking lot. On Lowrey Avenue, towering power lines were replaced with decorative street lamps.

"We are just trying to take a tentative first step in setting the city's streetscapes," Wilson said, adding he recognizes it will be difficult to get funding from the state or city for any projects.

Nadine Nishioka, chairwoman of the Manoa Neighborhood Board, said the plan should be distributed to the community for comments and suggestions. She also said it will be hard to convince lawmakers Manoa needs a makeover.

"Manoa is most definitely a nice place already," she said, adding she had not yet seen the photo simulations. "Unless Malama can present it and say the funding is here, it will be difficult."

She also said the plan helps address two key concerns for Manoa residents: pedestrian safety and traffic congestion. She said a more detailed study could further examine the issues.

State Rep. Kirk Caldwell, who represents Manoa, said some of the suggestions in the plan could be carried out with a combination of private and public money.

Even residents could do their part, he said, by planting trees in their front yards and pushing for more walkable communities. "I think the next step would be to hold a communitywide meeting," Caldwell said, "and then work through a public-private partnership."

One of the more controversial components of the Malama plan is to lower the heights of walls bounding private homes. Homeowners now are allowed to build 6-foot concrete walls around their properties. Malama wants to change the limit to 4 feet.

Wilson said homeowners would have the option of putting an extra 2 feet of open fencing on top of the concrete portion. The organization also wants the walls farther away from the street.

Nishioka said the proposal has been thrown around for years, and many residents have reacted negatively. "I commend Malama because they're always beautifying Manoa," Nishioka said. "On the other side, I have to take the residents' opinion into consideration. The residents own their land."

Jim Harwood, who is a member of the board and Malama o Manoa, said he expects residents from outside Manoa to question why the community needs beautification. "We are one of the better neighborhoods, so why make it better? Well, you want to make anything better," he said.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.