The public got its first opportunity yesterday to comment on a plan by Kamehameha Schools to redevelop 29 acres of land in Kaka'ako, and the project received near-unanimous support by the more than 40 people who testified.

The school's master plan for its Kaiaulu 'o Kaka'ako project was presented yesterday at a meeting sponsored by the Hawai'i Community Development Authority. The HCDA will hold a contested case hearing in July and decide by October whether to approve the master plan.

The project would add about 2,750 housing units on nine blocks between Restaurant Row and Ward Centers, mauka of Ala Moana. Kamehameha Schools is proposing up to seven high-rise buildings and a significant amount of low-rise structures with some commercial space.

Yesterday, about 100 people gathered at the Honolulu Design Center to see a presentation by the school and provide testimony to two HCDA staff members. HCDA board members were prohibited from hearing the testimony because the project will be the subject of the upcoming contested case hearing, although the comments will be submitted to the board during the hearing.

Most people yesterday praised Kamehameha Schools and said the project will provide jobs, business opportunities and affordable housing, while being sensitive to Hawaiian culture. The master plan also includes an Asia Pacific Innovative Center, which supporters said could create up to 1,200 jobs.

Lisa Gibson, president of the Hawaii Science and Technology Council, said the center would provide a home for businesses and is critical to the economic diversification of the state.

"We need to be able to give jobs to our kids so that we can keep them home and if the companies don't have appropriate space, then there's really no hope," Gibson testified. "The companies won't come here and locate here and our kids will have to keep moving to the Mainland."

Mark Wong, chairman of the Kaka'ako Makai Community Advisory Council, said his group has taken no stand on the project, but said he supported the master plan. Wong's group formed in 2007 to oppose General Growth Properties' plan to redevelop 60 acres at Ward Centers with as many as 4,000 high-rise residential units, new retail centers and eateries, and public spaces.

But Wong said Kamehameha Schools has worked closely with his organization, as well as the community, in coming up with this plan.

"It's a recognition of the area's special role in connecting the areas and adjoining neighborhoods and the need to provide residential, retail, industrial and office uses mauka of Ala Moana boulevard," he said. "That complements our desires to establish the makai side as a gathering place for recreation, cultural and education purposes."

Sydney Keliipuleole, Kamehameha Schools' residential assets division director, said if the HCDA approves the plan, construction could begin in 2010 or 2011.