Community concerns prompted Alexander & Baldwin Inc. to scale back its plans for developing state waterfront property in Kaka'ako, including eliminating one of three proposed residential towers and a pedestrian bridge over Kewalo Harbor channel.

Alexander & Baldwin Inc. was tentatively selected by a state board in September to develop the $650 million project on 36.5 acres of state land. Its plan ran into heavy opposition, including complaints that it did not include enough open space, lacked sufficient public parking and restricted people's access to the ocean.

"I'm happy that they're taking out one (residential) building, but I guess it would be asking for an act of God to take all three out," said Vernon Okamura, a retired city worker who lives in Kalihi Kai and has frequented Kaka'ako Waterfront Park. "The city and state need more green space. Green space is important for the people."

A&B said its plan revisions address several concerns raised by the public, and the company hopes the modifications help the project win final approval from the state early next year.

Along with the housing reduction and bridge elimination changes, the company also offered to increase park space and public parking at Point Panic by eliminating a proposed restaurant and banquet facility. The revised plan also calls for leaving Kewalo Basin Park as is instead of replacing old warehouse buildings with a beachside dining pavilion and sail-like structure.

A&B said it also would eliminate one of two proposed commercial buildings along the diamondhead-mauka edge of the harbor to create space for lunch wagons.

The changes pleased some observers, especially surfers worried that improvements to Kewalo Basin Park and Point Panic would crowd them out.

But keeping two-thirds of condominium units did little to satisfy a group of opponents objecting to any housing on state land makai of Ala Moana.

HOUSING A HOT TOPIC

Housing has been the project's most controversial element, but one that officials in charge of revitalizing the area say is necessary to pay for public elements of the plan such as a hula amphitheater, commercial complex anchored by a farmers market and expanded park space.

The Hawai'i Community Development Authority, the semi-autonomous state agency overseeing development of the area, suggested that residential use be included in development proposals it solicited in February.

According to agency rules, 20 percent of residential units would have to be sold at prices affordable to moderate-income buyers under a formula tied to the median income for a family of four.

Under A&B's revised plan, there would be about 630 units in two 200-foot condos. The initial plan called for 947 units in three 200-foot buildings. The reduction, A&B said, would ease traffic and visual impacts, and free up about two acres of space to expand the existing 30-acre Kaka'ako Waterfront Park or perhaps public parking.

The company initially estimated that it would pay the state $50 million for land under the condos, which it will now seek to buy for roughly a third less.

Loretta Yajima, president of the Hawai'i Children's Discovery Center, a nonprofit children's museum that opened in 1998 on state land adjacent to where the condos are proposed, called potential development, including residences, in the area "tremendously exciting" because Kaka'ako Makai lacks the vibrancy of a neighborhood.

"People have to drive here and be bused in," she said. "It really is hard to do business. We lack a critical mass ... for families to spend the day in the area."

'AN EXAMPLE' TO FOLLOW

Ed Cadman, former dean of the University of Hawai'i medical school who was instrumental in moving the school to Kaka'ako Makai, also supports housing in the area, but suggested some be reserved as rental units for students.

"If we do this right, Kaka'ako could become an example for others to follow," he said.

A member of A&B's development team, kumu hula Vicky Holt Takamine, said she views the proposal as an "opportunity of a lifetime" because it provides space for hula exhibitions, practice and classes.

A&B said about 5,000 people have learned about the project by visiting its Web site, kakaako waterfront.org, or attending one of more than 70 meetings, and that 300 expressed opposition.

Of 286 comments received through the Web site, 132 opposed the entire project, 52 opposed part of the project, 53 asked for information or made neutral comments and 49 expressed support.

Most complaints concerned the residences.

DIFFERENT VISIONS

Stan Kuriyama, chief executive officer of A&B's land division, acknowledged that removing one of three condos didn't address the basic objection by some opponents of using any of the state land makai of Ala Moana for residential development.

"There are different visions that could be adopted for Kaka'ako Makai," he said. "If, however, it is determined that this vision of creating a vibrant 'live, work, learn and play' community — a community that does not go dark at night when people leave their offices — is the proper one for this area of Kaka'ako, then the residential component is obviously essential to achieving that vision."

Kuriyama said other concerns involved whether there would be sufficient parking, that increased development would crowd out existing ocean users and that the bridge would interfere with high-mast boats.

NEWS PLEASES SOME

Jon Jepson, captain of the 65-foot Makani charter catamaran, applauded elimination of the bridge.

The bridge, Jepson said, would have had to been more than 80 feet high to allow the Makani to pass beneath.

Kuriyama said even a 60-foot-high bridge, which would have allowed 75 percent of Kewalo boats to pass beneath, would have been too high for easy pedestrian use, while a drawbridge would have been more problematic.

Jepson said he also favors leaving Kewalo Basin Park as is.

"I know a lot of surfers and fishermen were unhappy (about A&B's initial plan)," he said. "Probably that solution makes everybody happy."

Okamura of Kalihi Kai welcomed more parking at Point Panic. "On a good south shore swell, there's not parking to be had in this whole area," he said.

A&B's original plan would have replaced 50 to 60 existing parking stalls overlooking Point Panic with 200 stalls more inland. Under the revised plan, the Point Panic lot would be expanded to about 80 stalls, and the additional 200 inland stalls would still be created.

James Kometani, Hawai'i Community Development Authority chairman, said he was pleased that A&B addressed community concerns.

"The creation of more open space in a revitalized waterfront with various activities creates an even more dynamic gathering place for people of all walks of life to feel invited and pursue their interests, whatever those may be," he said.

Agency directors plan to respond to A&B's revised plan at a Jan. 11 public meeting, during which directors could decide to accept the proposal and negotiate a detailed development agreement, or pursue what they ranked as the second-best proposal of four finalist plans.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.