A&B starting something at Port Allen

More commercial development planned

Ground will be broken this summer on Port Allen Marina Center, a two-story complex near the small-boat harbor that is now a hub of commercial, recreational and military maritime activities.

Tenants of the new building, a project of Alexander & Baldwin Inc./A&B Properties, will include Captain Andy’s Sailing Adventures, Blue Dolphin Charters, Holo Holo Charters, Bluewater Sailing and Nite Owl T-Shirts.

Some of the businesses are already tenants of A&B across Waialo Road in warehouse buildings which are fully rented, the company said.

Port Allen Marina Center will be at the corner of Waialo Road (the road from Kaumuali’i Highway to the harbor) and the road that leads to the state’s Port Allen Small Boat Harbor.

Currently, the parcel includes a large concrete slab that was home to various commercial and retail businesses. Unlimited Construction has the $4.5 million contract to turn the 1.7-acre corner lot into a 32,000-square-foot building. Construction is expected to be completed by the summer of 2002.

All that’s needed is the Kaua’i County building permit, said Linda Howe, A&B spokeswoman. Last year, the project received development permits from the county’s Planning Commission and Planning Department.

Since acquiring those permits, A&B Properties developed architectural and engineering plans and launched preliminary leasing activities.

“Increased commercial activity at Port Allen has created the need for additional retail space to better serve the island’s visitors who come to Port Allen to participate in these boating excursions,” said Robert K. Sasaki, president of A&B Properties.

He said the new center “will enhance the attractiveness of the Port Allen area for tourists and tourist-related businesses, and improve the Kaua’i visitors’ experience. It also will provide space for existing businesses to expand.”

“It is a prime location for tour boat operators, boat chandlery supplies (businesses), convenience and food stores and other retailers,” said Cathy Camp, project manager for A&B Properties. “This building will be a key element in A&B Properties’ master plan for its landholdings in the Port Allen area.”

The company is a major property owner in the area, and this project is part of its master plan to help provide economic opportunities for Kaua’i residents, she continued.

A&B’s three existing warehouses are fully occupied. Future plans call for an additional warehouse and a restaurant overlooking the harbor.

“We have been meeting with the community,” business operators, the Hawai’i Housing Authority, residents and boat operators “to keep them apprised of our plans, and to ensure we addressed their input during the project’s planning and construction phases,” said Camp.

Sasaki said the development of company-owned properties continues to be a high priority.

“For example, A&B Properties has recently investigated significantly in the development of residential and commercial projects in Ka’anapali, Maui, and on O’ahu – geographic areas in which the company traditionally had not been involved,” continued Sasaki. “These projects have enabled us to put to good use our Hawai’i development expertise, and complement many other projects on Maui and Kaua’i, including this Port Allen Marina Center,” he added.

A&B, the fourth-largest private landowner on Kaua’i, owns nearly 22,000 acres on the north and south shores, as well as Port Allen.

The company holds most of the permits necessary to develop its Kukui’Ula master-planned resort community over 1,000 acres on the south shore. That project is to include a golf course, resort visitor accommodations and park space.

The first residential phase of Kukui’Ula, Koloa Estates, includes 32 homes. A second residential subdivision is in the planning phase.

Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).