The public is being invited to learn more about, and comment on, the plan by Kamehameha Schools to remake 29 acres of its Kaka'ako holdings into a largely high-rise residential community.

Kamehameha Schools announced its plan in November with some conceptual visions and broad guidelines, which will be elaborated upon at a meeting on Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Honolulu Design Center's Cupola Theatre.

The meeting, hosted by the Hawai'i Community Development Authority, will include a presentation by the landowner and be the public's first opportunity to speak directly to board members of the state agency that is considering the master plan proposed by Kamehameha Schools.

The project, dubbed Kai- aulu 'o Kaka'ako, or Kaka 'ako Community, could add as many as 2,750 housing units — many of them rental apartments — on nine blocks between Restaurant Row and Ward Centers, mauka of Ala Moana.

Up to seven high-rise towers are envisioned, though the plan also would include a significant amount of low-rise housing, and some commercial space but not much retail.

Other elements in the plan include connecting Kaka'ako Gateway Park where it ends at Ala Moana with Mother Waldron Park three blocks mauka by adding a strip of park space down both sides of Cooke Street, and converting existing industrial buildings along Cooke into a gathering place with a performance area, cafes, restaurants and other neighborhood retail businesses such as a bakery and grocery store.

Predominantly the project is residential, and is envisioned by the state's largest private landowner to complement an adjacent biotech campus growing on land around the University of Hawai'i medical school where Kamehameha Schools also owns land ripe for redevelopment.

If the HCDA approves the master plan, it would lock in a framework defining building heights, density, affordable-housing contributions and public-space dedications on the site for 15 years.

Construction could begin as soon as late 2010 and start on three blocks between South and Keawe streets along the 'ewa-most side of the 29 acres, according to the landowner.

The HCDA is expected to vote on the master plan by October, and before that will hold a public hearing at which the public can also testify.